M&M Cookie Bars

Everyone loves soft and chewy m&m cookie bars, especially during the holiday season. Made from scratch, this easy dessert transforms favorite cookies into a bar form and they are always a huge hit!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Cooling time 30

Total Time 1 5

Servings bars

Calories 548kcal

Author Sherri Hagymas

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour use bread flour chewier cookies
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, softened to room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup M&M’s plus more for optional topping
¾ cup white chocolate chips plus more for optional topping
⅓ cup sprinkles plus more for optional topping

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350° F and line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix together.
3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder
In a separate large bowl, add the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar and cream together with an electric hand mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy.
1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, ¾ cup granulated sugar
Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and blend on medium speed until just incorporated.
2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix on medium speed just until the flour is barely mixed in, scraping down the side of the bowl a few times with a rubber spatula. Avoid over-mixing.
Gently stir in the M&M’s, chocolate chips, and sprinkles until evenly distributed.
1 cup M&M’s, ¾ cup white chocolate chips, ⅓ cup sprinkles
Pour the cookie dough into the parchment lined dish and press in down gently in an even layer. (don't press it down to hard or it may become more dense).
Top with additional M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles if desired.
Bake for 22-25 minutes or until the top is golden browned. Be careful not to not over bake or the bars will become dry.
When you remove them from the oven, they will continue to bake while the dish is still hot.
Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 20-30 minutes before cutting into bars..

Notes

Use an equal amount of bread flour for chewier cookies.

Use many M&M variety you'd like for different holidays and special occasions.

Use semi-sweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips instead of white if you'd like.

Add in ½ cup of toffee chips or peanut butter chips.

Add in chopped pecans, walnuts or peanuts.

For an 8x8 square pan, half the recipe.

The dough can be made ahead and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

For clean cuts, wipe the knife clean after each slice.

Store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days and in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Freeze leftover bars by slicing them into squares. Place them in a freezer bag or airtight container with parchment paper between layers so they don't stick together for up to 2-3 months.

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