4.8 from 84 votes
M&M Cookie Bars
The M&M Cookie Bars combine a rich, buttery dough loaded with both chocolate chips and colorful M&M candies. The dough's thickness allows for a chewy texture with pockets of melted chocolate and candy crunch. Baking the dough evenly spread in a pan creates a bar with soft, gooey centers and crisp edges, ideal for cutting into shareable portions. These bars offer a festive look with the candy coating visible on top.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings:
36
Bars
Calories:
226 kcal
Course:
Baked Goods
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 ½ cup brown sugar light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large egg
- 3 cups flour all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups M&Ms Red, white and blue mix, or other colorful candy-coated chocolate.
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet fully with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl add softened butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Crack and lightly beat the eggs to break the yolks. Add eggs and vanilla to the butter and sugar mixture and fully mix with a stand mixer into the wet ingredients.
- In a separate medium sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients together. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients a little at a time until fully mixed with an electric mixer.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and one cup of the M&M’s until mixed evenly into the cookie dough. The dough is thick so if using a hand mixer this step is best done with a wooden or silicone spatula.
- Spread the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Take a few extra minutes to press the dough evenly into the pan. See notes below. Sprinkle one cup of M&M’s across the top of the cookie dough.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until lightly brown around the edges. When you tip the pan slightly the center of the dough should move a little but not be raw in the center.
- Allow cookie bars to cool for at least 20 minutes on the pan. Don't skip this step! The cookie bars continue to bake on the pan, plus it can be difficult to move without breaking if you remove them too early. Allow the cookie bars to cool completely. Cut into 36 even bars and enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For best texture, slightly underbake to keep cookie bars soft and gooey.
- The thick dough can strain hand mixers; use a stand mixer or mix by hand.
- Press dough evenly into the pan, using parchment paper if needed, to ensure uniform baking.
Nutrition Information
Calories
226kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
32g
(11%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
33mg
(11%)
Sodium
166mg
(7%)
Potassium
31mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
23g
(46%)
Vitamin A
206IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 36 Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 226
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 226kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 33mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 166mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 31mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 23g | 46% |
| Vitamin A | 206IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.