Name: M&M Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) baking soda; 1/4 tsp (1.25 g) salt; 1 1/2 cups (255 g) M&M candies; 1/2 cup (85 g) chocolate chips (optional)

Sweet chocolate chips scattered through soft, chewy M&M cookie bars create a playground of delightful textures and colors.

Colorful candies peek out from golden-brown edges, promising a burst of joy in every bite.

Childhood memories rush back with each morsel of this classic treat.

Baking these bars feels like unwrapping a happy surprise right from your kitchen.

Simple ingredients combine to craft something magical that sparks smiles across the table.

Crisp edges and gooey centers make these bars irresistible for kids and adults alike.

Come explore a recipe that turns ordinary moments into sweet celebrations.

Breeze Through Preparation: This chicken pasta bake comes together with minimal kitchen skills, making it perfect for cooks of all levels from beginners to seasoned chefs.
Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with cheesy goodness and tender chicken, this dish guarantees smiles around the dinner table, appealing to both kids and adults with its familiar, satisfying flavors.
Smart Meal Solution: Transform leftover chicken into a completely new and delicious meal, reducing food waste and saving money while creating a hearty dinner that feels like a fresh culinary experience.
Versatile Dinner Champion: Adaptable for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings, this pasta bake brings warmth and excitement to any mealtime without requiring complex cooking techniques.

For the Main Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie bars that provides structure and texture.
Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie bar.
Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Bring sweetness and help create a chewy, golden-brown texture.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie bars.

For the Chocolate and Candy:

M&Ms, Chocolate Chips: Add bursts of chocolate flavor and colorful sweetness throughout the bars.

For the Dry Ingredients and Flavor Enhancers:

Baking Soda, Salt, Vanilla Extract: Essential for leavening, balancing sweetness, and enhancing overall flavor of the cookie bars.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Crank up the oven to 350F and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt

Ensure all dry ingredients are well combined and free of lumps.

Step 3: Create Wet Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, blend:

Melted butter
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar

Stir until the mixture looks smooth and creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until the batter looks silky.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until a consistent dough forms without overmixing.

Step 5: Add Colorful Candies

Fold in your favorite chocolate chips and M&Ms, distributing them evenly throughout the cookie dough.

Step 6: Spread the Dough

Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan.

Use a spatula to spread it evenly, ensuring a consistent thickness across the pan.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Remove from oven and let the cookie bars cool completely.

Cut into square pieces and serve.

Swap regular M&Ms for peanut or pretzel varieties to add extra crunch and unique flavor to your cookie bars.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier bars.
Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend that maintains the same texture.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Replace M&Ms with chopped nuts like pecans or almonds and add dark chocolate chunks for a rich, crunchy texture.
Peanut Butter Swirl: Mix in swirls of peanut butter before baking and top with extra peanut butter chips for a creamy, indulgent version.
Rainbow Sprinkle Blast: Substitute M&Ms with colorful rainbow sprinkles and white chocolate chips for a festive, kid-friendly treat.
Salted Caramel Dream: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the bars after baking and sprinkle with sea salt for a decadent sweet-salty combination.

Sweet Celebration Platter: Arrange M&M cookie bars on a colorful platter with fresh berries and whipped cream for a festive dessert that delights guests of all ages.
Movie Night Treat: Stack bars on a fun serving board with popcorn and cold milk, creating the perfect cozy snack for family movie marathons.
Ice Cream Sundae Twist: Crumble M&M cookie bars over vanilla ice cream, drizzling chocolate sauce for a decadent dessert that combines warm and cold textures.
Lunchbox Surprise: Cut bars into smaller bite-sized pieces, wrapping individually for kids' school lunches or afternoon snacks that bring instant smiles.

Store M&M cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
Place cooled cookie bars in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
Keep bars in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place a piece of bread in the container to help maintain softness and prevent the bars from becoming too dry.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Cover with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container to preserve freshness and prevent the bars from absorbing other food odors.

FAQs

What gives these M&M Cookie Bars their soft texture?

The melted butter and perfect ratio of brown and granulated sugar create a soft, chewy texture that keeps the bars moist and delicious.

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

Absolutely! You can experiment with different M&M flavors like peanut, caramel, or pretzel to add variety and personalize the bars.

How do I prevent the M&Ms from bleeding color into the dough?

Gently fold the M&Ms in at the last moment and avoid overmixing to keep the colors vibrant and prevent color bleeding.

What's the best way to cut these bars neatly?

Use a sharp knife and clean it with a warm, damp cloth between cuts to get clean, precise squares without crumbling the bars.

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education

Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.