• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Cooking Duo
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Soups + Stews
  • Method
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Baking
    • Casseroles
    • Grilled
    • Instant Pot
    • One Pot Meals
    • Sheet Pan
    • Skillet
  • Contact

Home » Dessert Recipes » Easy M&M Cookie Bars

Easy M&M Cookie Bars

December 14, 2022 by Ryan Allen Leave a Comment

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

These soft and chewy bars are studded with colorful M&M's that add sweetness and crunch. Enjoy Easy M&M Cookie Bars as a special treat, or make them for a holiday gift basket!

M&M cookie bars cut out on a sheet pan.

During the holiday season or any time of the year, having great cookie recipes on hand is key. This recipe takes the magic of cookies and turns them into bars using a sheet pan!

For this easy cookie bar recipe, you'll use simple baking ingredients to make a cookie base, such as butter, sugar, and eggs. Then you'll add colorful M&M's for that fun crunch and sweetness.

Once assembled, instead of shaping them into round cookies, simply press the dough into a greased sheet pan. Top with more M&M's, then it's off to the oven!

After baking and cooling, you'll have delicious M&M sheet pan cookie bars that are ready to share with family and friends or at a holiday gift exchange!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Enjoy the taste of soft and chewy cookies with a unique and fun shape that's easy to eat.
  • Cookie bars are easier to make than cookies as it requires no scooping or rolling.
  • You can customize the flavors and colors of the M&M’s to fit any occasion!
  • They can be enjoyed for the holidays, birthdays, or when you're craving a sweet treat!

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Softened Butter - Makes up the rich oil base of the cookie and also provides a buttery flavor.
  • Sugar - A mix of light brown sugar and white sugar comes together to sweeten the cookie and make it chewy and soft.
  • Vanilla Extract - Imparts a light vanilla flavor throughout the cookie that helps balance it.
  • Eggs - Binds the ingredients together while adding richness to the cookie dough.
  • All-Purpose Flour - The main dry ingredient, flour, adds structure to the cookie while holding all of the ingredients together.
  • Baking Soda & Salt - This combination of dry ingredients helps the cookies rise while baking.
  • M&M's - Colorful chocolate-coated candy goes inside the cookie bars and gets pressed on top for a beautiful presentation.
  • Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - Provides additional chocolate flavor throughout the bar as well as texture.

How To Make M&M Cookie Bars

Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 18"x13" sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Mix the wet ingredients: Add the butter and sugar to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Mix until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and eggs and mix until fully combined.

Add the dry ingredients: To the wet ingredients, add the baking soda and salt. Then, add the flour in batches until well incorporated.

Add the chocolate: Stop the mixer and fold in the M&M's and chocolate chips with a rubber spatula until evenly incorporated.

Assemble the cookie bars: Press the cookie dough into the prepared sheet pan in an even layer. Press in the remaining M&M's on top.

Bake and cool: Add to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cookie dough is set and is golden brown. Let cool before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Cookie bars in a sheet pan that have been cut for serving.

Recipe Tips

  • For best results, use room-temperature ingredients. This helps the ingredients mix together easier and will create the best texture for your cookies!
  • Make sure to use a light-colored sheet pan, as dark pans may cause the cookie bars to burn on the edges before they are finished baking.
  • When mixing the cookie dough, be sure not to overmix. This can lead to tough and dry cookie bars!
  • Let the cookie bars cool completely before slicing, as they need time to set up and become firm enough to cut.

Variations & Mix-Ins

  • Christmas M&Ms: Swap out the regular M&M's for red and green Christmas M&M's for a festive look!
  • Peanut Butter: Replace some softened butter with creamy peanut butter for a nutty twist.
  • Reese’s Pieces: Instead of M&Ms, use Reese’s Pieces for an extra chocolatey treat.
  • Chopped Nuts: Add some chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans for a crunchy addition.
  • Coconut Flakes: Add in some shredded coconut flakes for an extra tropical flavor.
  • Sprinkles: Top the bars with a handful of your favorite sprinkles for some added color.
  • Flavor Extracts: Swap out the vanilla extract for almond, peppermint, or lemon extract.
M&M cookie bars stacked on top of each other.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Once cooled, sheet pan cookie bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 days. Place them in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. You can also store them in the fridge if preferred.
Freezing: Sheetpan cookie bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, and freeze until ready to enjoy. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes or until the cookie bars are thawed.

FAQ

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, be sure to use a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour, such as Bob's Red Mill all-purpose gluten-free baking flour. Also, make sure your other baking ingredients do not contain wheat.

What is the secret to a chewy cookie?

A chewy cookie starts with butter. Be sure to use room-temperature butter and mix until light and fluffy for a soft, chewy texture. Also, don't overmix once you add the dry ingredients.

Do M&M's melt when baked?

No! M&M's hold their shape perfectly when baked. They add a beautiful burst of color and texture to the cookie bars.

Overhead look at M&M sheet pan cookie bars on a cooling rack.

More Dessert Recipes

  • Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars
  • Brownie Cookies
  • Twix Thumbprint Cookies
  • Strawberry Pretzel Salad
  • Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodles

SHARE IT & RATE IT

SHARE IT & RATE IT

We would love it if you would leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below. Then follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Share your favorite recipes or ask questions in our Facebook Group.

M&M cookie bars cut out on a sheet pan.

M&M Cookie Bars

These soft and chewy bars are studded with colorful M&M's that add sweetness and crunch. Enjoy Easy M&M Cookie Bars as a special treat, or make them for a holiday gift basket!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 22 mins
Total Time 42 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 Bars

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter (softened)
  • 1⅓ cup light brown sugar
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups M&M's (reserve ½ cup for the top)
  • 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 18"x13" sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray
  • Add butter and sugar in a stand mixer bowl and mix well.
  • Add vanilla and eggs and mix until light and fluffy.
  • While the mixer is on, add baking soda and salt. Mix well. Slowly add flour until well blended.
  • Carefully stir in chocolate chips and M&M's.
  • Spread the cookie dough on the prepared cookie sheet. Make sure the dough is spread evenly. Place the remaining M&M's evenly over the top of the dough.
  • Bake for 20-25 min. or until the dough is golden brown.
  • When the cookie bars are cool, serve and enjoy!

*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.

Keyword M&M Cookie Bars, Sheet Pan Cookie Bars
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Dessert Recipes

  • Easy Mint Chocolate Brownies
  • Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
  • Fruity Pebbles Rice Crispy Treats
  • Lucky Charm Rice Krispie Treats

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

We are Ryan and Shanna, the creators of The Cooking Duo.

As food bloggers, photographers, and recipe developers, we are passionate about sharing simple, delicious recipes that make it easy to provide real food for your family. As parents ourselves, we know firsthand how challenging it can be to prepare a wholesome meal after a busy day. That's why we are committed to offering accessible, seasonal, and mostly healthy ingredients in our family's favorite recipes. We're excited to share our culinary journey with you!

Popular Recipes Right Now!

Creamy chicken fajita pasta in a skillet.

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta

Close up of a sausage egg muffin with a bite taken out of it.

Sausage Egg Muffins

Grilled teriyaki chicken thighs on a plate with pineapple.

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

Overhead look at the best twice baked potatoes garnished with bacon and green onions.

Best Ever Twice Baked Potatoes

Coconut cake mix cookies with toasted coconut on top.

Coconut Cake Mix Cookies

Carrot cake mix cookies stacked on top of each other.

Carrot Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Let's Connect

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Contact

  • Contact

The Cooking Duo is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Copyright © 2022 The Cooking Duo