M&M Cookie Bars

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These M&M Cookie Bars are always a hit. You can use regular M&M candies or even themed colors for any occasion.

m&m cookie bars close up.

If you love Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars you’ll love these M&M cookie bars! You could even make this into an M&M cookie bar cake as well.

overhead of m&m chocolate chip cookie bars sliced on a piece of parchment paper.

We love making these cookie bars for all occasions, but what’s even more fun is using holiday themed M&M candies for the occasion.

ingredients in bowls for m&m cookie bars.
  • Salted Butter – You can use regular or even dairy-free butter. Always cool the butter after melting.
  • Sugar – We recommend using granulated sugar.
  • Light brown sugar – Ensure you’re using light brown sugar, not dark brown sugar.
  • Vanilla – Always use a good quality vanilla extract.
  • Eggs – Take the eggs out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before making the chocolate chip cookie dough.
  • All-Purpose Flour – Regular old all-purpose flour works best for these cookies.
  • Cornstarch – A bit of cornstarch in cookies helps give the cookies a softer consistency.
  • Baking soda and baking powder – Both baking agents are necessary for chocolate chip cookies and help the cookies rise.
  • Chocolate Chips – We use a combo of regular-size and mini chocolate chips.
  • M&M Candies – You can use any color theme. If you can’t have dairy we love NoWhey’s No No’s.
stacked m&m cookie bars on a white plate. with milk in glasses in the background.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, and then prepare a 9×13 baking dish with butter or nonstick baking spray.

butter and sugars in a glass bowl.

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and then set aside.

dry ingredients mixed in a glass bowl.

In another bowl, mix the melted and cooled butter with the sugars until they’re well combined.

sugar and butter mixed in a glass bowl.

Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix well.

sugar and butter mixture in a glass bowl with eggs and vanilla added.

Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture slowly, mixing in between until all the flour is mixed in.

sugar and butter mixture in a glass bowl with eggs and vanilla combined.
cookie dough batter mixed in a glass bowl.

Next, you can fold in the chocolate chips and M&Ms.

m&m cookie bars batter in a glass bowl.

Use a spatula to spread the cookie dough into your prepared pan and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips and M&Ms to make it prettier.

m&m cookie bar batter pressed into a baking pan.

Bake the cookies for 25-27 minutes.

baked m&m cookie bars before cutting.
sliced m&m cookie bars.

Recipe tips and variations

  • You can play with the flavors by using flavored M&M’s or even adding peanut butter or another nut butter.
  • Add buttercream to make it a cookie cake.
  • For crispy cookie bars, cook for 2 minutes longer.
  • Use a thermometer to check the temperature. We go for 175-185 degrees F for a fully-cooked cookie bar.
m&m cookie bars on a white plate.

Storage and reheating tips

  • Refrigerate: Store any leftover chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container and enjoy them within three days.
  • Freeze: To freeze leftover baked cookie bars, cover them in plastic wrap and put them into an airtight container or bag. Freeze for up to three months.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a smaller or larger pan?

This recipe was tested using a 9×13 pan, so we cannot advise on a different size.

Can I make this dairy free?

Yes, swap out the butter for dairy free butter and use NoWhey No No’s.

m&m chocolate chip cookie bars.
m&m cookie bars close up.

M&M Cookie Bars

Courtney
These M&M Cookie Bars are always a hit. You can use regular M&M candies or even themed colors for any occasion.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 bars
Calories 492 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup butter melted and cooled
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup M&M's extra for topping if desired, use NoWhey No nos for dairy free
  • extra chocolate chips for topping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish with butter or nonstick baking spray. You can also line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  • Combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the melted and cooled butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar and mix until well combined.
  • Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined.
  • Add the flour mixture in slowly, mixing in between, until all of the flour is mixed in.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M's.
  • Using a spatula, spread the cookie dough into your prepared pan.
  • Sprinkle the top with extra chocolate chips and M&M's if you would like them to look like ours on top.
  • Bake the cookies for 25-27 minutes, rotating once in between if needed for your oven. Cook 2 minutes more for a crispy cookie bar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 492kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 5gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 253mgPotassium: 251mgFiber: 3gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 409IUCalcium: 52mgIron: 3mg
Keyword chocolate chip cookie bars, cookie bars, m&m cookie bars

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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