This super delicious Extra Soft & Chewy M&M Cookie Bars recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and bakes in a single pan for a quick and easy dessert that your family will absolutely love! You can switch up the M&M’s for your favorite candies or even use whatever you’ve got left in the pantry, like nuts or chocolate chips! Trust me, it’s perfect for those busy weeknight cravings or a friendly “clean out the pantry” bake-off. Let’s dive in!
Ingredient Breakdown
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Unsalted Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Granulated Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Eggs : you can use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) as a substitute.
M&M’s
How to Make Extra Soft & Chewy M&M Cookie Bars
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir them together until they’re nicely blended, and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together 1 cup of melted unsalted butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until you have a smooth and creamy mixture. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks all glossy and yummy, around 1-2 minutes with a hand mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon!
Next, add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and 2 large eggs into the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until well combined. You should feel like you’re just a hair away from cookie heaven at this stage!
Gradually fold your dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a spatula or a spoon, mixing gently until just combined. Don’t overmix, those lovely doughy bits will be the magic in your bars!
Now comes the fun part: fold in 1 1/2 cups of M&M’s (and save a handful for the top if you’d like). Just imagine the colors! It’s a party in your bowl.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with your spatula. Top with extra M&M’s if you’re feeling extra festive!
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean just a few crumbs is okay!
Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before slicing them into squares.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Extra Soft & Chewy M&M Cookie Bars recipe is my go-to for those sweet cravings. I’m a real sucker for anything that combines comfort food with simplicity! It reminds me of baking with my kids, where we can easily sub in whatever we have on hand, and it always turns out wonderfully. Plus, it just warms my heart to see little smiles with every bite. The best part? You can customize it endlessly!
If you loved this M&M Cookie Bars recipe, be sure to check out my Icebox Slice and Bake Cookies, my No Bake Eggnog Cookie Butter Pie, or my Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake Tacos!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
The beauty of these bars is that they come together in under 30 minutes, no complicated processes here!
Minimal Cleanup
Since we’re using just one bowl to mix everything, you can whip up these delectable treats without a pile of dirty dishes staring back at you later.
Crowd-Pleaser
They’re truly a crowd-pleaser! Kids and adults alike will rave over these bars, making them perfect for birthday parties, potlucks, or just a sweet snack after a long day.
Customizable
Feel free to switch out M&M’s for any candy you have on hand. Got leftover chocolate chips? Or maybe some dried fruits? It’ll work just fine!
Comfort Food
These bars are loaded with tons of flavor! Each bite is soft and chewy, just the way a good cookie should be, making them the ultimate comfort food treat.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Recipe
These cookie bars are fantastic as they are, but you can serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle some chocolate over the top for an extra special treat. Talk about indulgent!
Storage
These bars will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5-7 days. If they last that long!
Reheating Instructions
When you want to enjoy a bar that’s nice and warm, simply pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, just enough so they’re soft again, but don’t let it go too long!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! These bars are freezer friendly! Just slice, wrap them in plastic wrap, and pop them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll last up to 3 months. Perfect for having a sweet treat ready to go when you’re in need!
So there you have it the ultimate Extra Soft & Chewy M&M Cookie Bars, perfect for every occasion and ready in no time! Your family is going to ask for these again and again, trust me. Happy baking! Follow us on Pinterest for daily baking inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Extra Soft & Chewy M&M Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until blended and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the vanilla extract and eggs to the butter mixture, mixing well.
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in the M&M’s, reserving a handful for topping if desired.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
- Top with reserved M&M’s if you like.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before slicing into squares.