Description
Delight in these colorful and delicious M&M Cookie Bars, combining a classic cookie dough base loaded with M&M's and mini chocolate chips for bursts of sweetness and texture. Perfect for parties, snacks, or a sweet treat anytime, these bars are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup golden brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups M&M's (plus more for topping)
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking your cookie bars.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with foil, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. Spray the foil generously with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is fluffy and well combined, creating the base of your dough.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, continuing to beat until fully blended for a smooth batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Lower the mixer's speed and gradually add in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in M&M's and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold 1 1/2 cups of M&M's and 1 cup of mini chocolate chips into the dough, reserving some for topping the bars.
- Transfer Dough to Dish: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing it down gently for an even layer.
- Add Toppings: Press the reserved M&M's and mini chocolate chips on top of the dough to create a colorful, inviting appearance.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the bars are lightly golden brown and set in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the dish before lifting them out using the foil overhang. Cut into 18 servings and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute plain chocolate chips for mini chocolate chips if unavailable.
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature to achieve a fluffy dough.
- Do not overbake to keep the bars soft and chewy; they should be just set in the center.
- These cookie bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For extra chewiness, you can add 1/2 cup chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.
