Name: M&M Cookie Bar
Yield: 36

This M&M Cookie Bar Recipe comes together quicker than cookies and is just as tasty. These bars are chewy, tender, and packed with chocolate and M&M’s.

author’s note

M&M Cookie Bars So straightforward My Kids Make Them With Me!

After I perfected my classic cookie bars and became fully obsessed with them, I knew I needed an M&M version for my M&M-obsessed kids. And while It is satisfying to baking M&M cookies just as much as they love eating them, I do not love rolling out ball after ball of dough.

That’s why these bars are my dream shortcut. All the same warm, gooey cookie flavors with none of the scooping or chilling. I just press the dough into a pan, bake, and they’re reliable every time. Plus, you can swap the M&M colors to match any holiday, which makes these even more fun to make year round.

I’ve even started making them with leftover Halloween candy, and it’s become a little tradition. The kids dump their candy on the counter, pick out their “cookie bar candy,” and we make a pan together. It’s chaotic in the sweetest way.

Butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla, and maple syrup being mixed together.

M&M Cookie Bar Recipe Ingredients

Ingredient	Swap / Tip
Butter	Melted butter makes the bars extra chewy. Unsalted is best so you control the salt.
Brown Sugar	Light brown is a reliable in these, but dark brown will work.
Egg + Extra Yolk	The yolk adds density and richness. Don’t skip it.
Maple Syrup	Gives these bars extra sweetness and tenderness. Pure maple syrup is ideal.
All-Purpose Flour	Spoon and level to avoid adding too much. Too much flour = dry, cakey bars.
Baking Soda	Helps the bars rise just enough.
Chocolate Chips	Any variety works: semi-sweet, milk, dark, or white.
M&M’s	Regular, mini, peanut butter, holiday colors — whatever you love.

Valentine M&Ms being added to the cookie bars and it all being baked showing this M&M cookie bar recipe is customizable.

How To Make M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

Heat oven to 325°F and prep a 9×13-inch pan.
Melt butter, then cool. Mix with sugars, egg, yolk, vanilla, and syrup.
Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Then add chips and M&M’s.
Bake in pan for 23-28 minutes until set.
Cool, cut into bars, and enjoy!

Cookie Bar Tips

Cool Butter: Let melted butter cool so the bars aren’t greasy.
Measure Flour: Spoon and level for accurate, better tasting bars.
Bake Time: Watch closely; remove when edges are lightly browned.
Mix Gently: Overmixing can lead to tough M&M cookie bars. Stir until just combined.
Chocolate Choice: Use quality chocolate so you have the best flavor.
Pan Lining: Parchment paper simplifies removal and cleanup.

Storage

Airtight Container at Room Temp: Keep bars fresh for up to 1 week.
Refrigerate: For extended freshness, refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
Freeze: Wrap well; freeze this M&M cookie bar recipe for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp.