M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

If you’re craving something that hits all the best dessert notes—soft, chewy, a little crispy, and packed with fun flavors—you’re going to absolutely adore this M&M Cookie Bars Recipe. I stumbled upon this recipe after wanting an easy dessert that’s perfect for sharing but still feels homemade and special. Trust me, once you whip these up, you’ll be making them over and over because they’re fruity, colorful, and oh-so-satisfying!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this M&M Cookie Bars Recipe is that it uses classic cookie ingredients you probably already have at home, plus those irresistible M&Ms. It’s a straightforward mix that comes together fast and lets the candy really shine.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure—you want to make sure it’s measured correctly for the right cookie texture.
• Baking soda: The leavening agent that gives these bars just enough rise.
• Cornstarch: Helps keep the cookie bars tender and soft.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.
• Unsalted butter: Room temperature for easy mixing and rich, buttery flavor.
• Granulated sugar and brown sugar: The combo adds sweetness plus a little moisture and chewiness.
• Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
• Vanilla extract: Because no cookie is complete without a hit of vanilla.
• M&Ms: The star of the show—feel free to use regular or peanut, depending on your taste.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this M&M Cookie Bars Recipe is how flexible it is. You can seriously swap out add-ins or tweak the sweetness to suit your own cravings.

• Add nuts: My family loves tossing in chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and a nutty twist.
• Mix candy types: Try peanut M&Ms or even mini chocolate chips if you want a slightly different bite.
• Healthier swaps: Use coconut sugar or a little bit less sugar if you want to dial down the sweetness but keep that treat feel.
• Go gluten-free: Sub all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to keep texture intact.

How to Make M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Start by pulling your butter out of the fridge so it can soften to room temperature. This makes creaming with your sugars a breeze. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line a baking pan with parchment paper to make cleanup and removal super easy later on.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using an electric mixer, beat together the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. It’s the key to getting those tender, chewy bars you’ll adore.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract. Keep mixing until everything’s completely combined and smooth. This step ensures your bars will bake up moist and flavorful.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. This step guarantees even distribution of your leavening and gives that tender crumb we want.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing here can lead to tough bars, so just mix until combined.

Step 6: Fold in the M&Ms

This is the fun part! Gently fold in your M&Ms, saving a handful to sprinkle on top for a colorful finish. You’ll love how the candy melts slightly, adding pockets of sweetness throughout.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Don’t overbake — you want these bars chewy!

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Once baked, let your cookie bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. This helps them set and makes cutting clean squares easier. Then, grab a piece (or two) and enjoy that wonderful M&M-studded goodness!

How to Serve M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a few extra M&Ms on top right before baking to add some pops of color. For a little extra indulgence, dust with powdered sugar or serve with a drizzle of melted chocolate.

Side Dishes

These bars go beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk — total nostalgic vibes. They also pair well with a cup of coffee or tea for a mid-afternoon treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging the bars on a colorful platter or stacking them with parchment squares for easy grabbing. You can even cut them into bite-sized pieces and serve as mini dessert bites at gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover M&M cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and delicious for almost a week if they last that long! If your kitchen is hot, pop the container in a cool spot to keep their texture.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully. I cut them into squares, wrap each in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag. When you want a treat, just thaw at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds.

Reheating

If you want your bars warm and melty, I recommend reheating them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It’ll bring back that fresh-baked feel, especially if you add a scoop of ice cream on top!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This M&M Cookie Bars Recipe has become one of my go-to sweet treats, especially when I want something homemade but fuss-free. It hits the perfect balance of chewy and crisp with little bursts of candy sweetness that make my family—and honestly, all my friends—go crazy for it. I’m confident that once you give these bars a try, they’ll become a staple for your baking too. So go ahead, warm up your oven and treat yourself to some colorful, delicious cookie bars today!

Print