Name: M&M Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups (281 grams) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter; 2 large eggs; 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar; 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar; 1 cup (170 grams) M&Ms; 1 cup (170 grams) chocolate chips; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt

Sink your teeth into these delectable m&m cookie bars that burst with colorful candy goodness.

Soft, chewy textures mingle with crisp chocolate edges for a delightful treat.

Sweet morsels scattered throughout promise pure childhood nostalgia in every bite.

Homemade comfort becomes an instant classic with this simple yet irresistible dessert.

Chocolate chips and rainbow candies create a playful canvas of flavor and fun.

Summer picnics or weekend gatherings suddenly feel more special with these crowd-pleasing bars.

Watch everyone’s eyes light up when you unveil this tempting confection.

Jump in and make magic happen in your kitchen today!

Speedy Sweet Satisfaction: Whips up delicious M&M cookie bars in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Colorful M&Ms make these bars irresistible for children and adults, perfect for family gatherings or school potlucks.
Minimal Baking Skills Required: Simple mixing technique ensures success even for novice bakers, with no complicated steps or special equipment needed.
Versatile Party Treat: Easy to transport, slice, and serve at birthday parties, picnics, or casual weekend get-togethers without messy individual cookie preparations.

Base Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cookie bars together, opt for fresh, sifted flour for best results.
Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender texture, best when softened at room temperature.
Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bars and helps create a soft, chewy texture, brown sugar adds depth of flavor.

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

Eggs: Acts as a binding agent and provides moisture to the cookie bars.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, soft texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out the flavors of other ingredients.

Topping Ingredients:

M&Ms, Chocolate Chips: Add color, texture, and extra bursts of chocolate flavor, use a mix of colors or a single variety for visual appeal.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F and get ready for some sweet magic.

Step 2: Whip Up the Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend together:

Softened butter
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar

Cream these ingredients until they become smooth and fluffy like a cloud.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Pour in eggs and vanilla extract.

Mix thoroughly until everything is beautifully combined.

Step 4: Create Dry Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt

Ensure all dry ingredients are well blended.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Stir gently until a consistent dough forms.

Step 6: Toss in Colorful Goodies

Fold in:

Chocolate chips
M&Ms

Distribute these sweet morsels evenly throughout the dough.

Step 7: Prepare the Baking Pan

Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Spread the cookie dough evenly across the surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges turn golden and the center looks set.

Step 9: Cool and Slice

Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely.

Cut into delightful squares and enjoy!

Leave butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure a smooth, even mixture without lumps.
Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to keep bars tender and prevent tough texture.
Reserve some M&Ms to press on top of the dough before baking for a more colorful and visually appealing presentation.
Check bars at 18 minutes to prevent overcooking; golden edges with a slightly soft center indicate perfect doneness.
Use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar for a richer, more caramel-like flavor profile in the cookie bars.

Store cooled M&M cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and soft.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months, preserving their delicious flavor.
Keep bars at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, maintaining their chewy texture.
Warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes to restore that fresh-baked warmth and softness.

Tasty Matches for M&M Bars

Pair Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, chewy M&M cookie bars, creating a perfect balance of temperatures and textures.
Sip Rich Chocolate Milk: Decadent chocolate milk complements the chocolate chips and colorful M&Ms, enhancing the sweet and indulgent flavor profile of the dessert.
Match Caramel Latte: A warm caramel latte offers a sophisticated coffee undertone that beautifully highlights the buttery, sugary notes of the cookie bars.
Enjoy Cold Milk: Classic cold milk cuts through the sweetness and richness of the bars, providing a refreshing and classic pairing that never disappoints.

Gluten-Free Rainbow Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend, use gluten-free M&Ms for celiac-friendly version.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Bars: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer, select dairy-free chocolate chips and vegan M&M alternatives.
Healthier Protein Bars: Substitute half flour with protein powder, reduce sugar, add ground nuts for extra nutrition and crunch.
Nutty Chocolate Bars: Mix in chopped almonds or pecans, use dark chocolate chips for deeper flavor profile and added texture.

FAQs

Can I use different types of M&Ms in this recipe?

Yes, you can experiment with various M&M flavors like peanut, caramel, or pretzel to create unique taste variations in your cookie bars.

How do I prevent my M&M Cookie Bars from becoming too dry?

Don’t overbake the bars. Remove them from the oven when the edges are golden and the center is slightly soft, as they’ll continue to set while cooling.

Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?

No, this recipe doesn’t require chilling the dough. You can mix and bake the M&M Cookie Bars immediately after preparing the batter.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for the best texture and consistency.

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts.

Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.