Irresistible Gooey M&M Cookie Bars Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet chocolate lovers have been raving about these irresistible m&m cookie bars that blend chewy textures with colorful candy crunch.

Mixing classic comfort with playful design creates a dessert everyone adores.

Soft butter and rich chocolate chips merge into an incredible base that melts perfectly in your mouth.

Each square promises delightful bursts of candy-coated goodness waiting to surprise you.

Layers of sugary dough cradle vibrant m&m pieces throughout every delectable bite.

Quick and simple ingredients combine to craft a treat that looks as amazing as it tastes.

You won’t be able to resist cutting just one more square of this decadent delight.

Colorful Fun in M&M Cookie Bars

• Quick and Easy Baking: Whip up these delectable M&M cookie bars with minimal effort, perfect for novice bakers and busy home cooks who want a delicious treat without complicated steps.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Loaded with colorful M&Ms and chocolate chips, these bars guarantee smiles from kids and adults alike, making them ideal for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
• Versatile Comfort Treat: Enjoy these gooey bars as an after-school snack, weekend indulgence, or sweet ending to a meal, with a soft texture and rich flavor that satisfies any sweet tooth.
• Minimal Clean-Up Delight: Using just two bowls and a simple baking pan, this recipe offers a hassle-free baking experience with minimal dishes to wash afterward, making it a stress-free dessert option.

Gooey M&M Cookie Bars Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Base for the cookie bar's structure.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a softer, chewier texture.
• Baking Soda: Provides rise and helps with browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and moisture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness and chewiness.
• Granulated Sugar: Contributes to sweetness and crisp edges.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Gives warm, classic flavor.

• M&M Candies, Chocolate Chips: Adds bursts of color and chocolate sweetness.

M&M Cookie Bars Assembly Process

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F and grab a 9×13 inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy bar removal.

Step 2: Blend the Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking soda
• Salt

Blend until everything looks perfectly combined.

Step 3: Create the Butter Base

In a large bowl, mash melted butter with brown and white sugars. Stir until the mixture looks smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Add Egg Excitement

Drop eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and stir until everything looks creamy.

Step 5: Mix and Fold

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Gently fold in colorful M&Ms and chocolate chips, creating a delightful swirl of sweet goodness.

Step 6: Spread and Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn golden and the center looks set.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift out the parchment paper and slice into delectable squares. Enjoy the gooey, chocolatey magic!

What Helps with M&M Cookie Bars

• Prevent Sticking Smartly: Line the baking pan with parchment paper hanging over the edges for easy removal and clean cutting of cookie bars.
• Maximize M&M Distribution: Gently fold M&Ms into the batter last, reserving some to press on top for a more visually appealing and evenly distributed look.
• Achieve Perfect Texture: Remove bars from the oven when edges are golden but center still looks slightly soft to ensure a gooey, chewy texture.
• Master Cooling Technique: Let bars cool completely in the pan to help them set and make cutting cleaner and more precise.
• Customize Mix-Ins: Swap out M&Ms for different candy or chocolate types to create unique flavor variations that match personal preferences.

Save Gooey M&M Cookie Bars Without Losing Texture

• Store cooled bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep layers separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap entire uncut pan tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Wrap each bar separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
• Warm individual bars in microwave for 10-15 seconds for soft, gooey texture. Alternatively, reheat in preheated 350°F oven for 5 minutes to restore fresh-baked warmth.

Cookie Bars Pairing Picks

• Pair Sweet Milk with Chocolate Delight: Cold, creamy whole milk complements the rich chocolate and candy sweetness of these gooey bars, creating a classic dessert combination that melts perfectly together.
• Create Caramel Coffee Connection: Brew a smooth medium-roast coffee with caramel notes to balance the sugary M&M cookie bars, enhancing the chocolate and buttery undertones of the dessert.
• Match Vanilla Bourbon Twist: Serve a small glass of vanilla bourbon to highlight the cookie's sweetness, with the spirit's warm notes providing a sophisticated adult pairing that elevates the simple treat.
• Explore Berry Sorbet Contrast: Add a scoop of raspberry or strawberry sorbet on the side to cut through the richness, offering a refreshing and tangy counterpoint to the decadent chocolate bars.

Cookie Bar Combo Suggestions

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Maintain the same texture and sweetness while accommodating wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select vegan chocolate chips and M&M-style candies. Create a plant-based treat that's equally rich and indulgent.
• Reduced-Sugar Option: Substitute half the sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use dark chocolate chips with lower sugar content. Craft a lower-calorie version that still satisfies sweet cravings.
• Nut-Friendly Variation: Add chopped almonds or pecans to the batter for extra crunch and nutty flavor. Sprinkle additional nuts on top before baking for added texture and depth.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of chocolate candies in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute M&Ms with other candy-coated chocolates like Smarties or even chopped chocolate bars for a customized treat.

• How do I prevent my cookie bars from becoming too crispy?

Avoid overbaking by checking the bars at 25 minutes and removing them when the edges are golden but the center still looks slightly underbaked. The bars will continue cooking as they cool.

• Why does the recipe include cornstarch?

Cornstarch helps create a softer, more tender texture in the cookie bars by interfering with gluten formation and adding extra moisture to the dough.

• Can I make these cookie bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for similar texture and structure.

Gooey M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible m&m cookie bars deliver childhood nostalgia with rich, chocolatey goodness packed into each sweet square. Chocolate chips and colorful candy pieces create a delightful dessert you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2.34 cups (343g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
• 1.14 cups (260g) M&Ms, mini or regular size
• 0.75 cup (135g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 1.5 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup (100g) granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and positioning a parchment paper liner inside a 9×13 inch baking vessel to ensure easy extraction of the cookie bars.
2. Create a powdery foundation by thoroughly combining flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, whisking until uniformly integrated.
3. Transform melted butter into a silky base by vigorously blending brown and granulated sugars until the mixture achieves a smooth, glossy consistency.
4. Enrich the butter-sugar mixture by incorporating eggs individually, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next, then introduce vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
5. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, creating a cohesive dough that maintains a light texture.
6. Generously distribute M&Ms and chocolate chips throughout the dough, ensuring even dispersal for consistent flavor and visual appeal in each bar.
7. Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan, carefully spreading the mixture to create an even layer that will bake uniformly.
8. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface that indicates perfect doneness.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely within the pan, which helps them set and makes cutting easier.
10. Once thoroughly cooled, slice into rectangular bars, revealing the gooey, chocolate-studded interior.

Notes

• Customize M&Ms by choosing seasonal colors for festive look or matching party themes.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker bars.
• Replace some M&Ms with nuts like pecans or almonds for added texture and nutty flavor complexity.
• Use gluten-free flour blend to make recipe friendly for those with wheat sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 47g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 50mg