M&M Cookie Bars
These soft and chewy M&M Cookie Bars are loaded with M&Ms and chocolate chips. These easy cookie bars are made in one mixing bowl, baked in a 9 inch square baking pan and deliver all the flavour of chocolate chip M&M cookies without the extra effort of scooping individual cookies.
M&M cookie bars
If you love classic chocolate chip cookies but don’t want to spend time scooping and baking multiple trays, these M&M cookie bars are the perfect solution.
Instead of rolling individual cookies, the cookie dough is simply pressed into a baking pan and baked as one large bar before being sliced into squares. It’s quicker, easier and delivers the same soft, chewy texture you’d expect from a bakery-style M&M cookie.
I wanted these cookie bars to have the perfect balance of texture, with crisp golden edges and a soft centre packed with colourful M&Ms and melty chocolate chips. A small amount of cornstarch helps keep the bars soft, while melted butter creates a rich flavour and chewy texture.
They’re perfect for lunchboxes, potlucks, birthday parties, bake sales, after-school snacks or simply whenever you’re craving an easy homemade treat.
Watch how to make it
Why this recipe works
Quick & Easy To Make
No rolling, scooping or chilling required. Simply mix the dough, press it into a pan and bake.
Soft, Chewy & Thick
These cookie bars bake with lightly golden edges and a soft centre that stays chewy for days.
Perfect For Sharing
Cut into squares and serve at birthday parties, bake sales, potlucks, school events or family gatherings.
Easier Than Baking Cookies
Get all the flavour of homemade cookies without baking multiple trays.
Ingredients you’ll need
All-Purpose Flour
Provides structure and forms the base of the cookie bars.
Cornstarch
Helps create a softer, more tender texture.
Baking Soda
Helps the bars bake evenly and creates a light texture.
Salt
Balances sweetness and enhances flavour.
Unsalted Butter
Adds richness and contributes to the chewy texture.
Granulated Sugar
Provides sweetness and helps create lightly golden edges.
Brown Sugar
Adds moisture and helps keep the bars soft and chewy.
Egg
Binds the ingredients together and provides structure.
Vanilla Extract
Enhances the classic cookie flavour.
M&Ms
Add colour, crunch and chocolate flavour throughout the bars. I use regular M&Ms, you can also use mini M&Ms.
Chocolate Chips
Create extra pockets of chocolate in every bite.
How to make M&M cookie bars
Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt until combined. Set aside.
Step 2: Pour melted butter into a large mixing bowl. Add both sugars to the slightly warm butter and whisk for 20 seconds until well combined.
Step 3: Whisk in the egg and vanilla until well combined, about 15 seconds.
Step 4 Add the flour mixture and using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, fold and mix until a soft cookie dough forms; it will be thick.
Step 5: Add the M&Ms and chocolate chips and mix until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Step 6: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan and press it into an even layer using a spatula. The dough will be thick. Bake for 21-23 minutes until lightly golden with a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then lift out using the parchment paper and cool completely before slicing.
How to store
Store: Keep M&M Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For the best soft and chewy texture, keep them well covered when not serving.
Freeze: Once completely cooled, place cookie bars in a freezer-safe airtight container or zip-top bag with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Allow frozen cookie bars to thaw at room temperature before serving. For a freshly baked texture, warm individual bars in the microwave for a few seconds before enjoying.
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M&M Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the cookie bars out after baking. Set aside.
- Melt the Butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, melt in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Cool the Butter: Pour the melted butter into a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool for 10 minutes until it is only slightly warm. Ensure it does not firm back up.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Mix Sugars: Add both sugars to the slightly warm melted butter and whisk for 20 seconds until well combined.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth and fully incorporated, about 15 seconds.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour mixture and use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to fold and mix until a thick cookie dough forms.
- Add M&Ms and Chocolate Chips: Add the M&Ms and chocolate chips and mix until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Transfer to Pan: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan and press it into an even layer using a spatula. The dough will be thick.
- Bake: Bake for 21-23 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Do not overbake, as the cookie bars will become dry. Slightly underbaking helps create a soft and chewy texture.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for 30 minutes. If desired, gently press extra M&Ms and chocolate chips into the top while they are still warm. Carefully lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.