These M&M cookie bars are gooey, soft and loaded with M&M’s and chocolate chips. So easy to make and perfect for a cookie exchange or holiday party!
Table of Contents
Easy Cookie Bars Recipe
I love to bake all types of Christmas cookies during the holidays. There’s just something about baking on a cold winter day that is so cozy! M&M Christmas cookies are one of my favorites, so I thought I’d make a cookie bar variation. The end result was so delicious!
I’m excited to share these delicious M&M cookie bars with you today! They make the perfect treat for a cookie exchange or holiday party. They’re gooey, have the perfect chewiness, are festive and filled with chocolate chips AND M&M’s! Plus they’re so easy to make, too!
Cookie bars have to be one of my favorites. I’ve made so many different versions, like sugar cookie bars, s’mores bars, congo cookie bars and my favorite brookie recipe. I have to say, this recipe is one of my favorites! I finally perfected them just in time for the holidays and trust me, you want to make them. They are so delicious!
How to Make M&M Cookie Bars
- Wet ingredients. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars with a hand or stand mixer for 1 minute. Add eggs and vanilla and mix.
- Dry ingredients. Then add flour, baking soda and salt and stir.
- Assemble. Fold in M&M’s and chocolate chips and add dough to a lined 9×13″ pan. Place a few extra M&M’s and chocolate chips on top.
- Bake. Bake at 325°F for 30 to 35 minutes for a 9×13″ pan, or until top is barely golden brown, or for 20 minutes for a 15×10″ pan. Allow to cool completely, then remove and slice.
Baking Tips
- Line the pan. Make sure to line your baking pan with foil! Not only does this make clean up easier, but it helps the bars to cook evenly.
- Thinner bars. You can bake them in a 15×10″ pan to make thinner bars (the 9×13″ pan results in a thicker cookie).
- Extra M&M’s on top. To make them extra pretty, add a few M&M’s on top of the dough right before baking (like in picture above). You may also press a few M&M’s on top immediately after the bars come out of the oven.
- Don’t overcook. You want to remove the bars from the oven when the top is barely golden. They may look a little under done, but they’ll continue to set as they cool. You don’t want to over bake them or else they won’t have that perfect gooey center.
Variations
- Glaze. A powdered sugar glaze also taste delicious on top. Simply drizzle over the bars once cooled.
- Chocolate chips. You can use milk chocolate, semi-sweet or white chocolate chips.
- Seasonality. You can make these bars anytime throughout the year. Just pick up colored M&M’s that match the occasion or holiday.
Storing + Freezing
- To store: M&M bars will keep at room temperature stored in an airtight container for about 3 days, or about 5 days in the fridge.
- To freeze: Wrap in foil then place in an airtight container. They will last in the freezer for a couple of months.
5 star review
“Love these chewy m&m cookie bars!!! So easy to make and grandkids love them.”
-Shirley
Looking for more holiday cookies and bars? This gingerbread bars recipe reindeer cookies recipe or these twix cookie bars are perfect for any holiday cookie plate!
More M&M Desserts
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M&M Cookie Bars
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt , or 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips (plus more for tops if desired)
- 1 cup M&M’s (plus more for tops if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. In a large bowl using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugars for 1 minute. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Add the flour, baking soda and salt and stir mixture just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s (saving about 1/4 cup for the top).
- For thick bars, line a 9×13" pan with parchment paper or foil. For thinner bars, line a 15×10" pan. Leave an over hang for easy removal. Then spray with non-stick spray. Scoop cookie dough into the pan and press down evenly. Then place extra M&M’s and chocolate chips on the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes for a 9×13" pan or 20 minutes for a 15×10" pan, or until the top is barely golden brown. Allow to cool completely, then remove and slice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Bars, Candy + Fudge, Chocolate, Christmas, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Kid-Friendly
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
These are excellent!
So glad you enjoyed the M&M cookie bars :)
Can I make the dough and freeze then bake another time?
Yes definitely. Just leave the dough at room temperature 30 minutes before baking :)
How to adjust the ingredients for 8×8 inch pan?
You can half the recipe. These bars also freeze great :)
Can I use self rising flour and just omit the salt and baking soda?
I don’t have any luck with baking with all purpose flour! It always turns out to dry an taste bland
I haven’t tested this, but let us know if you test it out!
Delicious I’ll be making them again and again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, thanks for the review! :)
Love these! Did you crush some of the M&M’s?
I did, but it’s not necessary!
One of our favorite recipes! Can you use mini eggs instead for Easter?
I haven’t tried, but I don’t see why not!
These are the best cookie bars ever!! I love these!!
I’m so happy to hear that you loved them, Anna!
Love the recipe but please can I have the quantity of the ingredients to print
I’ve made these cookie bars several times to bring to gatherings, and they’re always a hit. Thanks for a great recipe.
You are so welcome! Glad to hear they are always a hit :)
Brought these to a party and everyone LOVED them. One person commented it was the best dessert they had ever had.
Love to hear that!! So glad they were a hit :)
This is the best cookie cake recipe I ever made! Perfect!
I’m so glad to hear! Thanks for the review!
These were an instant hit! I took them to a football draft party and then to a Labor Day BBQ. I put them in individual baggies to make it easier to grab and eat. My draft friends were fighting over the few that were left and someone even took off with the one piece the host set aside for himself! They were a big hit at the BBQ too!
I used mini M&Ms in the dough with the chocolate chips and regular ones on top. This is at the top of my go-to-favorites. I was just wondering… Have you ever just baked half? If so, how long did you bake them for?
Hi Kim! I’m so glad to hear they were a hit! I have not baked half, but I would put in an 8×8 pan and start checking about 10-15 minutes ahead of time. However, usually we’ll just freeze the leftovers and they freezer great.
One of our favorites! Can these be made into bites in a mini muffin pan?
I haven’t tried, but I don’t see why not. I would just start checking them with a toothpick after about 10 minutes as they will cook a lot faster.
Easy, and delish. Whatever you do, do not overtake.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Cherie :)
I can’t remember if I’ve commented previously or not because I make these bars so often. They are so popular and everyone loves them. Currently have a batch in the over for a friends birthday today. I usually add about 3/4 cup m and m’s or smarties and 3/4 cup chocolate chips as well.
I also substitute coconut oil for butter every single time.
I love making these at Xmas time and adding it to my collection of goodies I bake to give away to friends and neighbours. So quick and easy and makes a ton as I cut them up small. 5 stars!
I’m so glad you the love the recipe and make them so often, Vanessa! They are one of my absolute favorites too :)
I made these tonight using red, white and blue m&ms for the 4th of July. I followed the recipe to a T and if I make again I will definitely add more salt. I don’t think 1 tsp is enough if using unsalted butter. They look very pretty though and baked up well.
I’m glad that you enjoyed the bars, Becky! Have a great 4th of July :)
Made this for my husband and daughter for Valentine’s Day. It was delicious and they loved it! 💝
Perfect Valentine’s treat! So glad they both loved it :)
Great recipe! My go-to for holidays.
Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you love the recipe. Thanks for your comment and review, Sylvia!