M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

If you’re searching for a crowd-pleaser that’s both easy to make and irresistibly delicious, you’ve just hit the jackpot with this M&M Cookie Bars Recipe. I absolutely love how these bars turn out—gooey, soft, and packed with colorful M&M’s and chocolate chips that bring so much fun and flavor in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a party, a cookie exchange, or simply your family’s sweet tooth, these cookie bars will not disappoint. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through everything so your batch turns out perfect every time.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

The blend of butter, sugars, and eggs gives the perfect base for chewy cookie bars. I always suggest getting fresh M&M’s and chocolate chips to ensure that burst of chocolatey sweetness complements the buttery dough perfectly.

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter is key for creaming properly and getting that tender crumb.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that deepens the taste.
• Granulated sugar: Helps with the sweetness and crisp edges.
• Eggs: Bind everything together while keeping the bars soft.
• Vanilla extract: Just a splash to elevate the flavor—don’t skip it!
• All-purpose flour: The foundation of your dough; I always sift it to keep lumps out.
• Baking soda: Gives the bars just the right lift and texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness; if using kosher salt, use a bit more for proper seasoning.
• Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet ones melt beautifully and pair perfectly with M&M’s.
• M&M’s: The star of the show! Save a handful for the top so those bright colors really pop.

Variations

I love making this M&M Cookie Bars Recipe my own by occasionally tweaking it depending on the occasion or what’s in my pantry. Feel free to experiment — that’s the fun of baking!

• Double Chocolate Variation: I swap half of the flour for cocoa powder to make it a rich, chocolaty dream. It’s a hit with the chocolate lovers in my family.
• Nutty Twist: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives a nice crunch and pairs wonderfully with the sweet M&M’s.
• Peanut Butter M&Ms: For a salty-sweet combo, swapping regular M&M’s with peanut butter ones adds a whole new flavor layer.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the same amount—these bars still come out soft and delicious.

How to Make M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the room-temperature unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about one minute. This step is crucial because that creamy base creates the tender texture we’re looking for. I remember the first time I skipped proper creaming—it really affected the consistency, so don’t rush it!

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition. This makes sure everything emulsifies nicely. You’ll notice the dough lightens up a bit, which is exactly what you want.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Then slowly add this to your wet ingredients, mixing just until it comes together. Be careful not to overmix here—you want a tender bar, not a tough one! I usually stop once I see no more streaks of flour.

Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips and M&M’s

Now for the fun part: fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1 cup of M&M’s, but be sure to save about a quarter cup to sprinkle on top later. This little trick makes the bars look extra inviting once they’re out of the oven.

Step 5: Press into Pan and Bake

Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or foil for thick bars, or use a 15×10-inch pan for thinner bars. I personally prefer the thicker ones for that chewy center! Press the dough evenly into the pan and scatter the reserved M&M’s and chocolate chips over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes if using the 9×13 pan, or about 20 minutes for the larger pan, until the edges are just golden and the top looks set but not dried out.

Step 6: Cool Completely Before Slicing

Once baked, let the bars cool fully in the pan—this is super important because it allows them to firm up for nice, clean slices. I learned the hard way that slicing warm bars leads to crumbly messes, so patience is your best friend here!

How to Serve M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a few extra M&M’s sprinkled right on top after the bars cool, just for that cute pop of color. Sometimes I dust a little powdered sugar if I’m feeling fancy, but honestly, these bars are stunning on their own!

Side Dishes

If you’re serving these at a party, I love pairing them with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a warm cup of coffee. For family desserts, they go perfectly with fresh fruit or a light whipped cream for contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I’ve arranged these bars in a festive tin lined with colorful tissue paper, which always garners compliments. You could also cut them into bite-sized squares for easy party bites or stack them with parchment sheets between for gifting. One time, I even drizzled melted white chocolate over the top to make them extra special!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover M&M cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft for up to 4 days. If you find they’ve firmed a little, a quick microwave zap of 10 seconds brings back that freshly-baked softness.

Freezing

Freezing is a great option—wrap the cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to avoid freezer burn. I’ve done this many times, and they thaw overnight in the fridge beautifully without losing texture or flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, just pop a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm a few bars in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5-8 minutes wrapped in foil. This revives that soft, melty chocolate goodness like they’re fresh out of the oven.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This M&M Cookie Bars Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s become my go-to when I want a quick, no-fuss treat that everyone loves. The colorful candies make it festive and fun, but the real joy is how easy and forgiving the recipe is—great for bakers of all levels. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as my family and I do. Grab your mixing bowl and get to baking; I promise these bars will become a staple in your dessert rotation!

Print