Name: Classic M&M Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups M&Ms (plus extra for topping); 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted; 2 large eggs; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup chocolate chips (optional); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt

Baking classic m&m cookie bars can transport you back to childhood memories of sweet, colorful treats.

Memories of sharing these delectable squares spark joy and nostalgia.

Soft, chewy textures blend perfectly with vibrant candy pieces scattered throughout the dough.

Chocolate chips mingle with rainbow m&m candies, creating a delightful contrast in every bite.

Crisp edges and gooey centers make these bars irresistible to both kids and adults.

Simple ingredients come together quickly in one bowl, making preparation a breeze.

Grab a glass of cold milk and prepare to indulge in pure, sugary happiness.

You won’t be able to resist these irresistible cookie bars!

This M&M Cookie Bars recipe delivers deliciousness with minimal effort.
Whip up these treats in under 45 minutes from start to finish, perfect for spontaneous baking moments.
Simple mixing technique and colorful M&Ms make this an excellent recipe for cooking with children, encouraging family bonding and creating sweet memories.
Versatile bars work wonderfully for birthdays, potlucks, school events, or casual weekend treats that everyone will adore.

Main Ingredients:

Base Ingredients:

Flour: Essential for structure and texture of the cookie bars, all-purpose works best.
Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender base.
Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bars and contributes to a chewy texture.

Flavor Enhancers:

M&M Candies: Adds colorful crunch and sweet chocolate bursts throughout the bars.
Chocolate Chips: Increases chocolate intensity and creates melty pockets in the bars.

Binding and Leavening:

Eggs: Binds ingredients together and helps create a soft, cohesive texture.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet notes.
Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, soft texture.

Supporting Ingredients:

Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor complexity.

Preparation Aids:

Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and clean cutting of cookie bars.

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting edges hang over for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

Melted butter
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar

Whisk until smooth and glossy. Add eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until fully blended.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix:

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt

Slowly incorporate dry mixture into wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.

Step 4: Add Colorful Crunch

Fold in:

M&M candies
Chocolate chips

Stir carefully to distribute evenly throughout the dough.

Step 5: Prepare For Baking

Spread dough smoothly into prepared pan. Scatter additional M&Ms across the top for extra color and crunch.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide pan into preheated oven. Bake until edges turn golden brown and center looks set, approximately 25-30 minutes. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean.

Step 7: Cool And Slice

Allow bars to cool completely in pan. Use parchment paper edges to lift out, then cut into squares. Serve and enjoy your delightful treat!

Melt Butter Perfectly: Ensure butter is fully melted but not scorching hot to maintain the right cookie bar texture and prevent egg scrambling.
Customize M&M Colors: Select seasonal or themed M&M colors to make the bars festive for holidays or special occasions like birthdays and parties.
Prevent Overcrowding Toppings: Distribute M&Ms evenly across the surface and avoid clustering to guarantee each bite has balanced chocolate flavor and colorful appearance.
Store with Smart Technique: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
Adjust Baking Time Wisely: Check bars around 22-25 minutes to avoid overbaking, as they continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven, ensuring a soft and chewy center.

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying, or microwave for 10-15 seconds for a warm treat.
Warm refrigerated or thawed bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or briefly in a preheated 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore that fresh-baked softness.

Select a cold, creamy milk that complements the sweet chocolate flavors, enhancing the M&M cookie bars' richness and providing a classic dessert experience.
Add a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream alongside the warm cookie bars, creating a delightful temperature contrast and amplifying the dessert's indulgent texture.
Serve with a warm, frothy vanilla latte that balances the sweetness of the M&M bars and offers a sophisticated coffee undertone to the sugary treat.
Drizzle some warm caramel sauce over the cookie bars, introducing a luxurious depth that melds beautifully with the chocolate and candy textures.

Gluten-Free Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Bars: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips and vegan M&M alternatives.
Healthier Whole Grain Option: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or oat flour to increase fiber and nutrition content while maintaining a delicious texture.
Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated and brown sugar, and select sugar-free chocolate chips to reduce overall sugar content for diabetic-friendly version.

Can I use different types of M&Ms in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can experiment with peanut, pretzel, or dark chocolate M&Ms to create unique flavor variations.

How do I prevent my cookie bars from becoming too dry?

Be careful not to overbake. Remove the bars from the oven when the edges are golden and the center is still slightly soft. The bars will continue to set as they cool.

What's the best way to get clean, neat bar cuts?

Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. For super clean edges, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before slicing.

Can I make these cookie bars ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking, or bake the bars and store them in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

Program: Certificate in Patisserie
Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.