Chocolate Chip M&M’s Bars — Soft buttery bars loaded with M&M’s and chocolate chips are a guaranteed hit!! Fast, easy, foolproof, no mixer recipe that’s so much simpler than making cookies!!
M&M’s Cookie Bars Recipe
The only thing I may possibly like better than soft and chewy M&M’S cookies are cookie bars. Bars are my favorite kitchen shortcut because they’re so fast and easy to make. No dough to chill or individual cookies to form.
For these very soft, slightly chewy, buttery cookie bars that are loaded with M&M’s and chocolate chips, I called upon my trusty blondie base.
When I want an easy, fuss-free, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that I know everyone will love, it’s my go-to. With 25+ versions and counting, it never lets me down.
It’s an easy recipe to memorize because everything is ‘one’. In the 1 bowl used, melt 1 stick of butter, stir in 1 egg, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla, and 1 cup flour.
I stirred in 1 cup of the new Crispy M&M’s, but anything from Dark to Pretzel to Peanut Butter M&M’s would be wonderful. M&M’S has a Pinterest page where you can check out new recipes for baking inspiration.
I loved the texture contrast of the soft bars, with gooey chocolate chips, and the Crispy M&M’s that stay crispy even after being baked. My family’s eyes lit up when they saw these M&M’s bars, and they sure didn’t last long.
What’s in M&M’s Bars?
To make these easy bar cookies, you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter
- Egg
- Light brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Crispy M&M’s
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
How to Make M&M’s Bars
Melt then butter, then whisk in the egg, brown sugar, and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients, then gently fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s.
Turn the batter into a foil-lined 8×8-inch baking dish and bake until done.
Allow bars to cool in pan for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
How to Store M&M’s Cookie Bars
These M&M’s bar cookies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Can I Double This Recipe?
You should be able to, yes. However, some readers who have tried doubling this recipe have said their cookie bars have turned out too greasy. If that happens to you, I recommend scaling back the amount of butter to 1 1/2 sticks total and seeing how that works out for you.
Tips for Making M&M’s Bars
I used crispy M&M’s, but you can use any variety you’d like. Likewise, you can add different mix-ins besides chocolate chips, if desired. Chopped nuts and dried fruit would both be good additions!
Note that I always bake with metal pans and line them with foil for easier cleanup. If baking with a glass pan, your bars may turn out slightly different from mine.
Lastly, note that these bars firm up as they cool. Be careful not to over bake them, otherwise they’ll be too dry.
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M&M’S Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 stick, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 cup Crispy M&M’s, or your favorite M&M’s like Dark, Pretzel, Peanut Butter, plus more for sprinkling
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus more for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
- Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
- Add the flour, salt, and stir until just combined, don’t overmix.
- Stir in the M&M’s and chocolate chips.
- Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
- If desired, evenly sprinkle about 1 tablespoon each of M&M’S and chocolate chips for an extra visual pop, tapping them down lightly with your fingertip.
- Bake for about 25 to 28 minutes (I baked 26 minutes), or until done. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Bars firm up as they cool.
- Allow bars to cool in pan for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Post is brought to you by M&M’S. The recipe, images, text, and opinions expressed are my own.
So, so in love with these cookie bars!! You started a major craving…These are definitely happening this weekend!! :) I think I’ll hide the pan, so my family won’t steal all of them first too!
Is there such a thing as a bad M&M? If so, I haven’t met it … and imbedded in a bar cookie sounds like the perfect way to try it! Bar cookies rock.
I’m in love, seriously. What a great recipe too – easy to remember. And I have a package of those M&Ms just waiting to be used!
This recipe never lets me down! Can be adapted so many ways :)
M&M anything is an instant hit with me – they are my ultimate favourite candy! I wish I had one of these cookie bars right now Averie, they look amazing
I read lots of blogs but have never made a recipe from any until now. These looked amazing and I was inspired as the recipe was simple and I had the ingredients on hand. They came out awesome!!!!!! Thanks!
Thanks for trying the recipe mere HOURS after I posted it!! That’s wonderful! And that my blog is the first blog you’ve ever made a recipe from and were inspired to do so after seeing this post!
I’m glad it came out great for you!
I LOVE m&m desserts! These look fabulous! I love peanut butter m&ms… I think I would use those too!
Um, YUM! I love M&M’s and love that you used the new/old Crispy ones. Those were my favorite as a kid and I’m so glad they’re back. Hello, nostalgia!
You’re so much younger than me…LOL because Crispy wasn’t an option when I was a kid. It was plain. Or peanut. Haha!
These look amazingly delicious!
Paige
https://thehappyflammily.com
While I’m a more traditionalist with y chocolate chip cookies, by husband LOVES cookie bars AND m&m chocolate chip cookies, so I;m thinking he needs a batch of these soon :]
Other than the fact that these look so delicious, I love how easy they are! That makes it the perfect dessert!
These are so easy to make!! I will definitely be trying out the other versions too! Love how there is no wait time in this recipe (butter to soften or dough to chill). Finally you can bake and eat cookies now!!
Whenever you put M & Ms in anything, that’s just pure crack. Not that I know. But I can’t stop eating! And these are making me seriously crave blondies right now. I love your blondie recipe, Averie! I’ve made a lot of your adaptations from that base, and they’re all amazing!
I’ve had the pretzel M&M’s but not the crispy ones. At first glance the inside of them reminded me of malted milk balls. Love the combo of crispy candy with chocolate chips in a blondie…these are giving me a craving!!
M&Ms are totally my weakness. I love that these are blondie-esk cookie bars. As much I as love chocolate, I’d rather enjoy it with a contrasting taste like vanilla. I’m going to make these very soon, Averie.
Why it looks so mouthwatering! It makes me hungry, looks veeery delicious!
IKR!! Tastes so good too!!
YUM! I haven’t had m&ms for so long, and I think I know exactly what I’ll be picking up in the grocery store line tomorrow, because these bars (and all their variations) look MOUTHwatering. What exactly is a crispy m&m? does it have wafer on the inside?
It’s kind of like a Nestle Crunch Bar inside an M&M.