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    Home » Desserts » M&M Cookie Bars

    M&M Cookie Bars

    Published: Feb 6, 2021 · Modified: Mar 6, 2021 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy one-bowl M&M cookie bar recipe! These buttery soft and chewy cookie bars are loaded with M&Ms and chocolate chips!

    Stack of M&M cookie bars on a piece of parchment paper

    I love easy, one-bowl dessert recipes like my popular chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chocolate chip cookies, and these M&M cookie bars! The bars are buttery and soft with chewy edges.

    They are also really quick and don't take much time to whip up. They can be made from scratch - start-to-finish - in about 30 minutes.

    So they're a great treat to make any time a craving strikes!

    How to make M&M cookie bars

    melted butter in a white mixing bowl

    Whisk the melted butter and sugars in a large bowl until combined.

    cookie batter in a white mixing bowl

    Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.

    Using a rubber spatula, fold the flour, salt, and baking soda into the butter mixture until just combined; do not overmix.

    M&M cookie bar dough in a white mixing bowl

    Fold in the M&Ms and chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula.

    Bake until the top of the bars is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature.

    M&M cookie bars on a piece of parchment paper

    Tips

    Butter: I like a good salty/sweetness to my chocolate chip cookies, so I use salted butter along with the salt. If you like your cookies on the sweeter side, use unsalted butter or omit the salt in these.

    Melting the butter: Just barely melting the butter helps to speed things along. It takes about 40 seconds in my microwave to melt the butter without getting it too hot.

    Flour: To keep these bars soft and chewy, be sure to properly measure the flour. First, sift or stir the flour to break it up. Then lightly spoon it into the measuring cup and level. You don't want to pack the flour or the bars will be heavy and dry.

    Salt: Or use ½ teaspoon of kosher salt if you prefer.

    M&M's: I use regular chocolate M&M's. Feel free to use a seasonal flavor if you prefer.

    Chocolate chips: I like to use mini chips because it gives little bits of chocolate throughout the bars. You can use regular chocolate chips if you prefer.

    Mixing the dough: I recommend mixing this dough by hand. It's easy to do, and it helps to prevent overworking the dough.

    M&M cookie bars cut into pieces

    Other flavor combinations

    These cookie bars are really easy to customize. You can mix up the flavors of the M&Ms and chips to make holiday-themed or different-flavored bars.

    Here are a couple ideas to get you started.

    • Sugar cookie M&Ms + white chocolate chips
    • Caramel M&Ms + caramel chips
    • Candy corn M&Ms + white chocolate chips
    • Fudge brownie M&Ms + peanut butter chips

    Storage

    These bars can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 4 days.

    M&M cookie bar standing up next to a stack of cookie bars

    More M&M recipes!

    • Chocolate M&M cookies stacked on a white plate.
      Chocolate M&M Cookies
    • M&M Cookies on a gold wire cooling rack
      Easy M&M Cookies
    • Monster Cookies
    • White chocolate party mix with cereal pretzels and M&MS
      White Chocolate Party Mix

    If you’ve tried this M&M cookie bar recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Stack of M&M cookie bars on a piece of parchment paper

    M&M Cookie Bars

    Soft and chewy cookie bars loaded with M&Ms and chocolate chips.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 163kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Equipment

    • 8x8 metal pan

    Ingredients

    • 6 tablespoons butter melted and cooled slightly
    • ½ cup brown sugar packed
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ cup M&M candies
    • ¼ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Adjust the oven rack to middle position. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
    • Grease an 8X8-inch metal pan. Set aside.
    • Whisk the melted butter and sugars in a large bowl until combined.
    • Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.
    • Using a rubber spatula, fold the flour, salt, and baking soda into the butter mixture until just combined; do not overmix.
    • Fold in the M&Ms and chocolate chips.
    • Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula.
    • Bake until the top of the bars is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan, about 15-25 minutes.
    • Cool on a wire rack to room temperature.

    Notes

    • Butter: I like a good salty/sweetness to my chocolate chip cookies, so I use salted butter along with the salt. If you like your cookies on the sweeter side, use unsalted butter or omit the salt in these.
    • Melting the butter: Just barely melting the butter helps to speed things along. It takes about 40 seconds in my microwave to melt the butter without getting it too hot.
    • Flour: To keep these bars soft and chewy, be sure to properly measure the flour. First, sift or stir the flour to break it up. Then lightly spoon it into the measuring cup and level. You don't want to pack the flour or the bars will be heavy and dry.
    • Salt: Or use ½ teaspoon of kosher salt if you prefer.
    • M&M's: I use regular chocolate M&M's. Feel free to use a seasonal flavor if you prefer. 
    • Chocolate chips: I like to use mini chips because it gives little bits of chocolate throughout the bars. You can use regular chocolate chips if you prefer. 
    • Mixing the dough: I recommend mixing this dough by hand. It's easy to do, and it helps to prevent overworking the dough.
    • Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 162IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
    « Chocolate Mousse Cake
    Chocolate Whipped Cream »
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. RO

      September 28, 2021 at 9:05 am

      this was amazing!

      Reply
      • Kate

        October 04, 2021 at 10:43 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    2. Dora

      March 10, 2021 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      GRANDKIDS LOVED IT!

      Reply
      • Kate

        March 10, 2021 at 3:30 pm

        Yay! I'm so glad to hear that!

        Reply
    3. Sarah

      February 10, 2021 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      My kids have gotten into baking while we've been quarantined. They loved this recipe, and I love how easy it is. They can't wait to try different flavors of candies next time.

      Reply
      • Kate

        February 10, 2021 at 3:51 pm

        Mine too! =) So glad that your family liked them!

        Reply

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    I’m Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family’s favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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    761 shares