Irresistibly Festive Spring Confetti Bars: Your Ultimate Guide to Easy Dessert Perfection

Delight in the vibrant joy of Spring Confetti Bars! These spectacular dessert bars feature a rich, chewy white chocolate cookie base, generously topped with fluffy marshmallows, colorful spring-themed M&M’s, and a cascade of playful sprinkles. Effortlessly easy to make, they are the ideal sweet treat for spring gatherings, Easter celebrations, or any occasion that calls for a burst of color and flavor. Get ready to impress a crowd with these beautiful and utterly delicious bars!

Craving more delightful cookie creations? Explore our other beloved recipes such as Zesty Lemon Curd Cookies, Classic M&M Cookies, or our indulgent Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The Enchanting World of Confetti Bars: A Sweet Nostalgia

For many of us, confetti bars evoke cherished memories of childhood, conjuring images of vibrant colors and irresistible sweetness. Growing up, my mom frequently whipped up her famous Funfetti bars, a guaranteed favorite among my siblings and me. Alongside her legendary Carmelitas, these playful bars held a special place in our hearts and on our dessert plates.

My mom’s original recipe featured a classic chocolate chip cookie base, generously adorned with gooey marshmallows, an explosion of colorful sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and even crunchy chocolate-covered pretzels. Taking inspiration from her timeless creation, I’ve crafted a delightful springtime twist. This version incorporates a rich white chocolate cookie base, paired with whimsical pastel M&M’s, creamy white chocolate chips, and an abundance of festive sprinkles. The result is a dessert that captures all the deliciousness and nostalgic charm of the original, but with a fresh, bright, and utterly celebratory feel that’s perfect for the spring season!

These Spring Confetti Bars aren’t just a dessert; they are the quintessential spring celebration treat – easy, dazzling, and incredibly satisfying for any gathering.

Why You’ll Love These Spring Confetti Bars

• Effortlessly Easy: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, these bars are simple enough for even beginner bakers.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Their vibrant appearance and delightful taste make them a surefire hit at parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
• Festive & Fun: The pastel colors and sprinkles instantly brighten any table, making them perfect for spring holidays like Easter or Mother’s Day.
• Customizable: Easily swap out M&M colors or sprinkle types to suit any season or celebration.
• Irresistibly Delicious: A chewy white chocolate cookie base, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy candies create a symphony of textures and flavors.

How To Master Spring Confetti Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these delightful Spring Confetti Bars is a fun and rewarding process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly gooey, chewy, and festive treats every time!

1. Prepare Your Pan with Precision: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray, then line it completely with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the sides. This parchment paper “sling” is crucial for easily lifting the sticky bars out of the pan once cooled, preventing any frustration. Avoid using aluminum foil, as the bars tend to stick more readily to it.
2. Cream Wet Ingredients for the Perfect Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened, room-temperature unsalted butter with both granulated sugar and lightly packed light brown sugar. Beat these ingredients together using a hand mixer (or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment) until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy, typically 2-3 minutes. This aeration is key for a tender cookie base. Next, beat in the large egg, egg yolk, and fragrant vanilla extract until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients Thoughtfully: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing on low speed until *just* combined. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cookie base. Once the dough comes together, gently fold in 1 cup of the white chocolate chips with a wooden spoon until they are evenly distributed.
4. Bake the Base to Golden Perfection: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. You can use your hands, lightly floured, or the back of a spoon to create a flat, consistent base. Bake for 22-26 minutes, or until the top appears set, no longer glossy, and the edges are ever-so-slightly golden brown.
5. Introduce the Gooey Marshmallow Topping: Immediately remove the pan from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the miniature marshmallows over the warm cookie base. Return the pan to the oven for an additional 1 minute and 30 seconds. This brief re-bake is just enough to soften and slightly puff the marshmallows without browning them too much. Watch closely to prevent overcooking, as they can burn quickly.
6. Decorate with Festive Flair: Once the marshmallows are soft, remove the pan from the oven. Gently press down on the softened marshmallows with the back of a spoon or your hand to help them adhere to the cookie base and create a more even layer. Immediately and evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup white chocolate chips over the warm marshmallows. Follow with the pastel M&M’s, scattering them generously across the surface. Finally, adorn your bars with the spring sprinkles, ensuring a vibrant and cheerful finish. Lightly press all the toppings into the warm marshmallows so they stick.
7. Cool Completely for Clean Slices: This is arguably the most crucial step for beautiful bars! Allow the Confetti Bars to cool *completely* at room temperature, which can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. Rushing this step will result in messy, pulled-apart bars, as the gooey marshmallow topping needs time to fully set. Once cooled, use a hot, sharp knife to cut the bars. To achieve clean slices, run your knife under hot water, wipe it dry, make a slice, and repeat this process for each cut.

Essential Tips for Perfect Confetti Bars Every Time

• Measure Flour Accurately: Precision in baking is paramount, especially when it comes to flour. The best way to measure flour is by using a food scale for exact amounts. If you don’t have a scale, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Never scoop directly from the bag, as this compacts the flour and can add up to 25% more than intended, resulting in a dense, heavy, and dry cookie base.
• The Importance of Room Temperature Butter: Ensure your unsalted butter is at true room temperature (soft enough to indent with a finger, but not melted). This allows it to cream properly with the sugars, creating a light and airy base that contributes to the bars’ tender texture.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: After adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your cookie base tough and chewy rather than soft and delicious. A few streaks of flour are fine; they will disappear during baking.
• Allow Ample Cooling Time: Patience is a virtue, especially with these bars! It’s crucial to let the bars cool *completely* for at least 1-2 hours (or even up to 3) before attempting to cut them. If you cut them too soon, the warm, gooey marshmallow topping will stick to your knife and pull away from the cookie layer, resulting in messy, unappealing slices.
• Use Fresh, Soft Marshmallows: For the best texture and taste, use miniature marshmallows that are fresh and soft. Stale marshmallows can become hard and less pleasant when slightly melted.
• Adjust Sweetness to Your Liking: If you prefer a less sweet treat, feel free to reduce the amount of white chocolate chips in the topping, or even skip the sprinkles altogether. The base and marshmallow layer alone provide plenty of sweetness.

Ingredient Spotlight: The Stars of the Show

• Unsalted Butter: The foundation of our chewy cookie base, providing richness and moisture. Using unsalted butter gives you control over the overall saltiness of the bars.
• Granulated & Brown Sugar: A blend of both sugars creates a balanced sweetness and contributes to the soft, chewy texture. Brown sugar adds a deeper, molasses-like flavor and extra moisture.
• Eggs & Egg Yolk: Eggs act as a binder, while the extra egg yolk enhances richness, tenderness, and chewiness, ensuring a perfectly dense cookie base.
• Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor enhancer that complements the sweet notes and brings warmth to the cookie.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient, providing structure to the cookie base. Proper measurement is key!
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookie base rise slightly and contributes to its tender crumb.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the bars.
• White Chocolate Chips: These add a creamy, sweet element to both the cookie base and the topping, perfectly complementing the spring theme.
• Miniature Marshmallows: The star of the gooey topping, creating a wonderfully soft and sticky layer that holds all the festive decorations.
• Pastel M&M’s: Bring vibrant color, a satisfying chocolate crunch, and a playful touch, especially in spring hues.
• Spring Sprinkles: The ultimate festive decoration, adding texture and an undeniable celebratory visual appeal.

Creative Variations & Customizations

• Chocolate Base: For a deeper flavor, swap the white chocolate chips in the cookie base for semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips. You can also use a chocolate cookie mix as a shortcut.
• Different Candies: While M&M’s are classic, feel free to experiment with other small candies. Chopped pastel-colored candy bars, mini robin’s eggs, or even jelly beans could work for an Easter theme.
• Nutty Addition: For a delightful crunch, fold in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the cookie dough.
• Zesty Flavor: Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest or orange zest to the cookie dough for a bright, citrusy note that complements the spring theme.
• Gluten-Free Option: You can often make this recipe gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum for best results).

Serving Suggestions for Your Festive Bars

• Dessert Platter: Arrange these colorful bars on a large platter with other spring desserts like fruit tarts or mini cheesecakes for an impressive spread.
• Party Treat: Cut them into small, bite-sized squares, making them perfect for easy grabbing at parties, picnics, or school events.
• Gifting: Wrap a few bars in decorative cellophane bags with a pretty ribbon for a charming homemade gift.
• Coffee/Tea Time: Enjoy a square with your morning coffee or afternoon tea for a delightful pick-me-up.

More Delightful Spring & Easter Treats

Looking for more ways to celebrate the season with sweets? Here are some other fantastic recipes that are perfect for spring:

• Festive Puppy Chow: This classic snack mix gets a spring makeover with pastel M&M’s, making it an irresistible treat for all ages.
• Sweet Bunny Bait: A delightful white chocolate snack mix loaded with sweet and crunchy elements, perfect for Easter baskets or springtime snacking.
• Five Charming Easter Treats: Discover a collection of easy-to-make Easter-themed treats, complete with free printable bag toppers for a personalized touch.
• Four Simple Easter Treat Ideas: Quick and easy ideas to add a touch of sweetness to your Easter celebrations without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Classic 7 Layer Bars: A reader favorite, these magic bars boast a symphony of flavors and textures, always a hit at any gathering.

Spring Confetti Bars Recipe

By
Chelsea Lords

These Spring Confetti Bars are an absolute dream, crafted with cheerful spring-colored M&M’s, creamy white chocolate, vibrant sprinkles, and irresistibly gooey marshmallows. This easy dessert bar recipe is designed to bring joy and will undoubtedly be a crowd-pleaser at any spring festivity!

Prep Time:
25 minutes

Cook Time:
24 minutes

Allow bars to set:
1 hour

Total Time:
1 hour 49 minutes

Servings:
24 bars

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Equipment

• 9 x 13-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Hand mixer (or stand mixer)

Ingredients

• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/4 cups white chocolate chips divided
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows
• 3/4 cup pastel M&M’s
• 1 to 3 tablespoons Spring sprinkles (see note 1)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal later. This step is crucial, as the bars are quite sticky, and parchment paper prevents sticking. (I do not recommend using foil).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the room-temperature unsalted butter with the granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Use a hand mixer (or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment) and beat until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Incorporate the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. In a separate, medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure they are evenly distributed. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough is just combined. Be careful not to overmix. With a wooden spoon or spatula, stir in 1 cup of the white chocolate chips until evenly incorporated into the dough.
4. Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan. You can use your hands or the back of a spoon to create a smooth, flat surface. Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until the top of the cookie base is no longer glossy and the edges are slightly golden brown.
5. Remove the pan from the oven. Immediately and evenly sprinkle the miniature marshmallows over the warm cookie base. Return the pan to the oven for precisely 1 minute and 30 seconds, just until the marshmallows are softened and slightly puffed, but not browned. Watch them closely, as they can burn quickly.
6. Once out of the oven, gently press down on the softened marshmallows with the back of a spoon to ensure they adhere well and form an even layer. Immediately sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup white chocolate chips over the warm marshmallow layer. Follow with the pastel M&M’s and then scatter the spring sprinkles evenly over the entire surface. Lightly press all the toppings into the warm marshmallows to secure them.
7. Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before cutting. This is essential! They will take 1–3 hours to fully set, making them much easier to cut cleanly. For perfectly neat slices, run a sharp knife under hot water, wipe it dry, make a slice, and repeat this process for each cut. These Confetti Bars are best enjoyed within 1–2 days of baking; after that, the marshmallows can start to become less pleasant in texture.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: For sprinkles, you can use 1 tablespoon of nonpareil sprinkles for a classic look, or 2–3 tablespoons of jimmies sprinkles for more coverage and texture.
Storage: Store Confetti Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. If refrigerated, let chilled bars sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to achieve the best texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 24bars
|
Calories: 206kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 30.4g
|
Protein: 2.2g
|
Fat: 8.7g
|
Cholesterol: 32.3mg
|
Sodium: 19.7mg
|
Fiber: 0.3g
|
Sugar: 20.9g

Nutrition information is an approximation only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.