Irresistible Chewy M&M Cookie Bars: Your New Go-To Dessert!

Forget fussing with individual cookies when you can create a tray of pure bliss with these **M&M Cookie Bars**! This recipe delivers all the beloved characteristics of a classic M&M cookie – that perfect chewy texture, rich buttery flavor, and bursts of chocolatey goodness – but in an incredibly convenient bar format. They’re quicker to prepare, just as delicious, and undeniably more fun. Every bite promises a tender interior loaded with vibrant chocolate M&M’s and delectable chocolate chips, making them an instant crowd-pleaser for any gathering or a delightful treat for a cozy night in.

Why These M&M Cookie Bars Are a Must-Bake

There are countless reasons to fall in love with these easy M&M cookie bars, solidifying their spot as a cherished recipe in any baker’s repertoire. From their effortless preparation to their vibrant appeal, they truly stand out:

1. Unbeatable Speed & Simplicity: Unlike traditional cookies that often require chilling dough or endless scooping, these M&M cookie bars come together incredibly fast. You can mix, press, and bake without any waiting around, making them the perfect solution for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests. The simplicity of baking in a single pan also means less clean-up – a win-win for busy bakers!
2. Endless Customization Options: The beauty of these bars lies in their versatility. While classic M&M’s are fantastic, you can easily personalize the flavor profile by choosing different M&M varieties – think peanut, pretzel, caramel, or seasonal colors for holidays. Beyond M&M’s, feel free to experiment with other candy-coated chocolates, nuts, or even different types of chocolate chips to create your unique signature bar.
3. Festive & Eye-Catching Appearance: The bright, colorful M&M’s embedded within these golden-brown bars make them incredibly appealing. They naturally bring a festive touch to any occasion, whether it’s a birthday party, a holiday celebration, a school bake sale, or just a simple family dessert. Their vibrant look instantly brightens spirits and adds a playful element to your dessert spread.
4. Perfect Chewy & Rich Texture: These aren’t just any cookie bars; they’re designed for optimal chewiness and a truly luxurious mouthfeel. The thoughtful combination of ingredients ensures a tender, dense interior that’s not too cakey and perfectly moist, contrasting beautifully with the slight crispness of the edges and the satisfying crunch of the M&M shells.
5. Reliably Delicious (Fail-Safe Recipe): Whether you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe is incredibly forgiving. We provide clear, step-by-step instructions and essential tips to help you achieve perfect results every single time. Say goodbye to dry, crumbly bars or overly greasy ones – with our guidance, you’ll consistently bake soft, chewy M&M cookie bars that impress.

Key Ingredients for the Best M&M Cookie Bars

Crafting these delectable M&M cookie bars requires a few simple, common baking ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired flavor and texture:

• Unsalted Butter: This is the foundation of our cookie bars, providing incredible richness and contributing to their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Using unsalted butter gives you control over the overall saltiness of the recipe. Ensure it’s melted and then cooled slightly before mixing to prevent greasy bars and over-melting the sugars.
• Brown and White Sugars: The perfect balance of these two sugars is key. Brown sugar adds a wonderful molasses-like depth of flavor and, more importantly, provides moisture, which is essential for that signature chewy texture. Granulated white sugar contributes to sweetness and a slight crispness on the edges.
• Large Eggs (Whole Egg + Extra Yolk): Eggs act as a vital binder, helping to hold all the ingredients together and adding richness. The addition of an extra large egg yolk is a secret weapon here! It significantly enhances the density and chewiness of the bars, making them even more irresistible without making them dry.
• Vanilla Extract and Maple Syrup: Vanilla extract is a baking staple, deepening the overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic notes. Maple syrup, especially pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup!), is our “secret ingredient.” It introduces a subtle, complex sweetness and an extra layer of moisture and tenderness, truly elevating these bars. While optional, it’s highly recommended for the best results.
• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the structural backbone of the cookie bars. Proper measurement is crucial here – avoid scooping directly from the bag to prevent dense, dry bars. Instead, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off.
• Baking Soda: Our primary leavening agent, baking soda reacts with the acidic brown sugar to create carbon dioxide bubbles, which helps the bars rise slightly and contributes to their soft, chewy interior.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors, bringing out the best in the butter and chocolate.
• Chocolate Chips and M&M’s: What would M&M Cookie Bars be without these stars? A generous cup of your favorite chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, dark, or even white chocolate) provides gooey pockets of melted chocolate. Paired with a cup of colorful M&M’s, they deliver that iconic chocolatey crunch and festive visual appeal. Feel free to mix and match!

How to Make Perfect M&M Cookie Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

Baking these delightful M&M cookie bars is a straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps for guaranteed success:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). This ensures the oven is at a consistent temperature when the bars go in, promoting even baking. Next, prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan. Lightly spray the pan with cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the longer sides. This parchment paper sling will make lifting the cooled bars out of the pan incredibly easy for clean cutting and serving. Finally, melt your unsalted butter (12 tablespoons) in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan and set it aside to cool to room temperature. This cooling step is crucial to prevent the butter from melting the sugars too quickly and resulting in greasy, flat bars.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: Once your butter has cooled, pour it into a large mixing bowl. Add the 1 cup of light brown sugar (firmly packed) and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Whisk these together until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring all the sugar crystals are coated. Then, crack in one large egg and add the additional large egg yolk, followed by 1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup (if using). Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and emulsified – this means it should be uniform in color and texture, with no streaks of egg or separate oil.
3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Mix-ins: In a separate medium bowl, combine your 2-1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure the leavening and salt are evenly distributed. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Using a sturdy wooden spoon or a spatula, stir just until the flour streaks disappear and the dough is combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough bars. Finally, gently fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1 cup of M&M’s. You can use a hand mixer on low speed for this part if preferred, but again, mix only until just combined. Press the dough evenly into your prepared 9×13-inch pan. For an extra aesthetic touch, you can press a few more chocolate chips and M&M’s onto the top surface of the bars before baking.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 23–28 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, especially during the last few minutes. The bars are done when the edges are lightly golden brown and the center no longer looks glossy or raw. The middle might still appear slightly soft, but it will firm up as it cools. Overbaking is the enemy of chewy bars, so err on the side of slightly underbaked for maximum softness. For an extra burst of flavor, you can optionally sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the warm bars immediately after they come out of the oven.
5. Cool, Cut, and Savor: This step requires patience, but it’s vital for perfect bars! Allow the M&M cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling period allows the bars to set properly, preventing them from crumbling when cut. Once fully cooled (this can take 1-2 hours), use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of cookie bars out of the pan. Place them on a cutting board and slice them into your desired bar size. Now, all that’s left is to enjoy these incredibly chewy, chocolatey, and colorful M&M cookie bars! They are best enjoyed within 1–2 days for optimal freshness.

Expert Tips for the Best M&M Cookie Bars

Achieving bakery-quality M&M cookie bars at home is easier than you think with these expert tips:

• Always Cool Melted Butter: This is a non-negotiable step for perfect cookie bars. Hot melted butter will instantly dissolve the sugar crystals, leading to a greasy batter and ultimately, dense, flat, and oily bars. Allowing the butter to cool to room temperature (it should still be liquid but not warm to the touch) ensures the sugars can properly incorporate and contribute to a chewy texture.
• Measure Flour Accurately: Precision in flour measurement is paramount for consistent baking results. The “spoon and level” method is highly recommended: use a spoon to lightly fluff up the flour in its container, then spoon it into your dry measuring cup. Use a straight edge (like a knife or the back of a spoon) to level off the excess flour without compacting it. Never scoop directly from the bag, as this can add up to 25% more flour than needed, resulting in dry, crumbly, and tough bars.
• Mind Your Bake Time Carefully: Ovens vary, and overbaking is the quickest way to turn chewy bars into dry, hard bricks. Start checking your M&M cookie bars at the lower end of the recommended baking time (around 23 minutes). Look for lightly golden edges and a center that appears set but still slightly soft and not glossy. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Trust your instincts and your eyes more than the clock.
• Mix Dough Gently: Once you add the flour to the wet ingredients, it’s crucial to mix only until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, less tender bar. Use a wooden spoon or spatula and stir until no streaks of dry flour are visible. For folding in chocolate chips and M&M’s, a gentle touch is best.
• Choose Quality Chocolate: The type of chocolate you use significantly impacts the final flavor. Opt for good quality chocolate chips – whether milk, semi-sweet, or dark – that you genuinely enjoy eating on their own. High-quality chocolate melts more smoothly and offers a richer, more satisfying flavor in every bite. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of M&M’s too, like peanut, pretzel, or even seasonal varieties.
• Utilize Parchment Paper for Easy Removal: Lining your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides, is a game-changer. It prevents sticking and creates a convenient “sling” that allows you to easily lift the entire slab of cooled cookie bars out of the pan. This makes cutting into neat, clean squares effortless and drastically simplifies cleanup.
• Don’t Rush the Cooling Process: It’s tempting to dive into warm cookie bars, but letting them cool completely in the pan is essential. As they cool, the internal structure of the bars sets, preventing them from falling apart or being too gooey when sliced. Fully cooled bars yield cleaner cuts and a much better texture.
• Consider Sea Salt Finish: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the warm, just-baked bars can truly elevate the flavor profile. The salt crystals provide a delightful textural contrast and enhance the sweetness of the chocolate and M&M’s, creating a sophisticated sweet-and-salty balance.

Explore More Delicious Cookie Recipes

If you loved these M&M Cookie Bars, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other fantastic cookie and bar recipes from our collection:

• Costco Raspberry Crumble Cookies
• Coconut Oil Oatmeal Cookies
• Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Rocky Road Cookies

M&M Cookie Bars

By: Chelsea Lords

M&M Cookie Bars have all the chewy, chocolatey goodness of cookies in an easy-to-make bar. Perfectly tender and loaded with M&M’s!

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 36 bars

Equipment

• 9 x 13-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk (see Note 1)
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (optional, see Note 2)
• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, white, semi-sweet, or dark—whatever you prefer)
• 1 cup M&M’s or other candy-coated chocolates

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the longer sides for easy removal. Ensure your melted butter is cooled to room temperature before proceeding.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled melted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the whole egg, extra egg yolk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup (if using). Whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and emulsified.
3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Optionally, press a few extra chocolate chips and M&M’s onto the surface for visual appeal.
4. Bake for 23–28 minutes, or until the top is no longer glossy and the edges are lightly golden brown. The center might still appear slightly soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft and chewy texture. For an added touch, sprinkle with flaky sea salt immediately after removing from the oven.
5. Allow the M&M cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of bars from the pan. Cut into 36 squares and serve. These bars are best enjoyed within 1–2 days of baking.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Extra Egg Yolk: The extra egg yolk is crucial for the dense, chewy texture of these bars. You can discard the leftover egg white, or save it for another recipe like a breakfast scramble or an egg wrap.

Note 2: Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is the “secret ingredient” that adds a unique depth of flavor and enhances the tenderness of these bars. While optional, it’s highly recommended. Ensure you use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for the best results. If omitted, the bars may be slightly less tender and sweet.

Storage: Keep M&M cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For extended freshness, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. To freeze, wrap individual bars or stacks tightly and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

• Serving: 1 serving
• Calories: 167 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 22mg
• Sodium: 73mg
• Potassium: 31mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 15g
• Vitamin A: 152IU
• Vitamin C: 1mg
• Calcium: 19mg
• Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.