M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

If you're looking for a fun and easy dessert that's perfect for parties, potlucks, or just satisfying your sweet tooth, look no further than M&M Cookie Bars! These bars are a delightful twist on classic chocolate chip cookies, made even better with colorful M&M candies. They're soft, chewy, and packed with sweet bursts of chocolate in every bite. Plus, since they're baked in one pan, they save you time and effort compared to scooping individual cookies.

Whether you're making them for a birthday party, a holiday celebration, or just because, these M&M Cookie Bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Ready to start baking? Let’s dive in!

What are “M&M Cookie Bars”?

M&M Cookie Bars are essentially a cross between traditional chocolate chip cookies and bar cookies. Instead of shaping the dough into individual cookies, the dough is pressed into a single baking pan and then cut into squares or rectangles after baking. The result is a soft, chewy cookie bar filled with chocolatey goodness and dotted with colorful M&M candies. They’re perfect for sharing and much quicker to make than regular cookies since you bake the entire batch at once.

Ingredients List for M&M Cookie Bars

Here’s everything you need to make these delicious cookie bars:

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups M&M candies (plus more for topping)
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for extra chocolatey goodness)

For Topping (optional):

• Extra M&M candies for sprinkling on top
• Sea salt flakes for a sweet and salty contrast

Substitutions and Variations

There are plenty of ways to customize these M&M Cookie Bars to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:

1. Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these bars gluten-free.
2. Dairy-Free: Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, and make sure the M&M candies you’re using are dairy-free.
3. Peanut Butter Version: Replace ¼ cup of butter with ¼ cup of peanut butter for a delicious peanut butter-chocolate flavor combo.
4. Holiday-Themed Bars: Use seasonal M&Ms (like red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween) to match the holiday theme.
5. Candy Mix-Ins: Swap out some of the M&Ms for other candies like Reese’s Pieces, chopped Snickers, or mini peanut butter cups for a fun variation.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple steps to bake your M&M Cookie Bars.

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Baking Pan:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with non-stick spray. This will make it easier to lift the cookie bars out of the pan once they’re baked.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
• Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined and the mixture is smooth.

3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bars tough.

4. Fold in the M&Ms:

• Gently fold in 1 ½ cups of M&M candies and the chocolate chips (if using). Reserve a small handful of M&Ms to sprinkle on top of the dough before baking.

5. Spread the Dough into the Baking Pan:

• Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. The dough will be thick, so use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it out evenly.
• Sprinkle the reserved M&Ms over the top of the dough, pressing them gently into the surface.

6. Bake the Cookie Bars:

• Bake the cookie bars in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
• Be careful not to overbake, as you want the bars to remain soft and chewy in the center.

7. Cool and Slice:

• Remove the cookie bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
• Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and transfer them to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or rectangles.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some tips to ensure your M&M Cookie Bars come out perfectly every time:

1. Overmixing the Dough: Once you add the flour to the wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookie bars tough instead of soft and chewy.
2. Overbaking: Keep a close eye on the baking time. If you overbake the bars, they will lose their soft texture and become dry. It’s better to slightly underbake them, as they will continue to set as they cool.
3. Not Letting the Bars Cool: It’s tempting to cut into the bars while they’re still warm, but letting them cool completely ensures clean, neat slices.

Serving and Presentation Tips

M&M Cookie Bars are beautiful in their simplicity, but you can dress them up with a few easy presentation ideas:

• Add a Chocolate Drizzle: For a fancier touch, drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the cooled cookie bars before slicing.
• Serve with Ice Cream: For an indulgent dessert, serve the cookie bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The combination of warm, gooey cookie bars and cold ice cream is irresistible!
• Sprinkle with Sea Salt: A sprinkle of sea salt on top of the bars before baking adds a delicious contrast of flavors between the sweet chocolate and salty topping.

How to Serve M&M Cookie Bars

Here are a few fun ways to serve these cookie bars:

• Casual Snack: Cut the bars into small squares and serve them as a fun after-school snack or weekend treat.
• Party Treat: Arrange the cookie bars on a platter for a party, birthday, or family gathering. They’re colorful and perfect for sharing!
• Gift Boxes: These bars make excellent edible gifts. Pack them in decorative tins or gift boxes and give them to friends and family for holidays or special occasions.

Presentation Ideas for M&M Cookie Bars

1. Stacked Cookie Bars: Stack the bars on a cake stand or decorative plate for a beautiful display.
2. Festive Wrapping: Wrap individual bars in cellophane and tie them with a ribbon for party favors or holiday gifts.
3. Seasonal Decorations: Use themed M&Ms and holiday sprinkles to make the bars festive for any occasion—red and green for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter, or rainbow M&Ms for birthdays.

M&M Cookie Bars Recipe Tips

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the eggs are at room temperature to help the dough mix more evenly.
• Add Extra Chocolate: If you’re a chocolate lover, increase the amount of chocolate chips or M&Ms for an extra indulgent treat.
• Storing the Bars: Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! M&M Cookie Bars can be made a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh for several days.

Can I freeze M&M Cookie Bars?
Absolutely! Once the bars have cooled completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

What can I use instead of M&Ms?
You can substitute M&Ms with other candies, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts. Reese’s Pieces, chopped chocolate bars, or mini marshmallows are all great options.

How do I prevent the bars from getting dry?
Be sure not to overbake the bars. They should still be slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven, as they will firm up as they cool.

Conclusion

These M&M Cookie Bars are the perfect treat for any occasion. They’re quick and easy to make, incredibly delicious, and packed with colorful, chocolatey goodness. Whether you’re baking them for a party, a holiday celebration, or just to satisfy a craving, these cookie bars are guaranteed to be a hit. With their soft, chewy texture and bursts of sweet M&Ms in every bite, they’ll quickly become a go-to recipe in your baking arsenal. So go ahead and whip up a batch—you won’t be disappointed! Happy baking!

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