(warning, jumping to recipe can result in missing important information including alternative ingredients and tips. Also, as an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases made via the links on this website.)
Spring M&M Sugar Cookie Bars that are so easy to make.
These colorful and tasty dessert bars are sweet and chewy with bites of crunchy chocolate candy.
Pastel M&M Cookie Bars that are perfect of Easter or Spring desserts.
These sweet treats are especially perfect for anyone who enjoys a good sugar cookie.
You will probably like that these bars incorporate that goodness of a chewy sugar cookie with that added surprise of a colorful crunchy chocolate candy.
Did you see my recipe for Spring Inspired Krispie Treats?
Those colorful Rice Krispie Treats are in the shape of a flower and can be served on a stick! Both this recipe for cookie bars and that recipe for krispie treats would go nicely when served together at about any spring gathering or celebration!
Finding Spring inspired M&M's can be be hard to do especially when they can sell out fast. You can find a selection of Spring Pastel M&M's here.
Frequently asked questions about cookie bars.
A cookie bar is basically cookie dough that is baked as a bar.
That is, instead of scooping out dough and placing it on to a baking sheet, the cookie dough is pressed into a baking pan and baked as a whole.
Cookie bars are usually thicker and more dense than cookies.
Also, once that baked cookie dough has been cooled, it can be sliced into individual servings.
Cookie bars and cookies have one thing in common.
They are both made from cookie dough.
However, they do differ in structure, size, shape and density.
For example, a cookie bar will be more dense and structured than a cookie due to baking processes.
Tips for making sugar cookie bars.
My bars were made with peanut M&Ms. You can however use the M&Ms of your choice or even a mixture of the M&Ms.
More tips for you
- My recipe for cookie bars is a simple 'from scratch' recipe. However, if you are short on time you can cheat by using a premade sugar cookie mix.
- Make your clean up easier by lining the pan with foil that is also sprayed with nonstick spray. You will be able to easily lift the cookie bars from the pan for cutting into servings one they have cooled.
- These cookie bars should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
However, you can alternatively freeze the bars or the dough for later use.
How to make sugar cookie bars even better.
These sugar cookie bars are so simple and tasty as they are.
But, you can also easily make yours even better.
Try one of these ideas.
- Use another kind of Easter candy with or instead of the M&Ms.
- Add a salty crunchy element such as crushed pretzels to your cookie batter.
- Use chocolate chips or butterscotch chips with your candy.
👇You may also be interested in these ideas!👇
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About this recipe for spring cookie bars.
This is a simple recipe for making cookie bars that have candy in them.
These cookie bars are thick, soft, and chewy. Even better, they are quick and easy to put together!
These bars are made using a basic sugar cookie dough that is spread in a pan rather than baked as a cookie.
Once the cookie bar dough is in the pan we will gently press M&M candies into the top of the bars.
Then we will bake the cookies before enjoying them.
Ingredients needed to make Spring Cookie Bars.
- Flour. My bars were made using all purpose flour.
- Cornstarch. Added to the bars for texture.
- Baking Powder. A leavener used to add a bit of volume to these bars.
- Salt. You can omit this if you are using salted butter.
- Butter. Your butter should be softened to room temperature.
- Sugar. My cookie bars were made with white sutar however, you can add extra flavor to your bars by using brown sugar.
- Egg. Your egg should be at room temperature.
- Vegetable Oil. For added moisture.
- Vanilla and Almond extracts. Really, a perfect balance of extracts for these bars.
- Spring M&Ms. Or really any similar candy or M&M could work in this recipe.
- Optional- spring sprinkles or spring icing for added decorations.
Expert Tip👉 You can switch out seasonal pastel M&Ms with other M&Ms to make these cookies perfect for any holiday!
How to make Spring M&M Sugar Cookie Bars
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Yield: 9 bars.
Step One: prepare.
Preheat your oven to 350℉. Prepare an 8x8 or 9x9 inch square pan for nonstick. You can do this by lightly greasing it or lining the pan with parchment paper that extends over the sides of the pan (easy lifting later!) .
Step Two: make the cookie dough batter.
- In a medium bowl, use a whisk or fork to mix together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.
- Next, in a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy. Then, scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat in the egg, oil, and both of the extracts.
- Add the dry ingredients from the first (medium) bowl to the mixing bowl and mix until just incorporated. Then gently fold in a half cup of the M&Ms using a rubber spatula.
- Transfer the dough to your prepared baking pan, gently pressing cookie dough into the pan to evenly spread it out.
- Lastly, gently press the remaining M&M candies into the top of the cookie bars.
Step Three finish making the bars.
Bake the cookie bars for 18-24 minutes (time will vary depending on the size of your pan) or until the edges turn golden brown. The center may still be soft however, the center will continue to set as the bars cool. Allow the bars to cool on a rack at room temperature before slicing into servings and enjoying.
👇👇Related Ideas.👇👇
In case you missed something.
Spring M&M Sugar Cookie Bars, a simple and delicious dessert or snack perfect for Easter or for gatherings.
Spring M&M Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup Flour
- 1 tsp Cornstarch
- ½ tsp Baking Powder
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ cup Butter -room temperature
- ¾ cup Sugar
- 1 Egg
- ½ tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- ¼ tsp Almond Extract
- 1 cup M & M Candies -divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉. Prepare an 8x8 or 9x9 inch square pan for nonstick.
- In a medium bowl, use a whisk or fork to mix together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.
- Next, in a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy. Then, scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat in the egg and both of the extracts.
- Add the dry ingredients from the first (medium) bowl to the mixing bowl and mix until just incorporated. Then fold in a half cup of the M&Ms.
- Transfer the dough to your prepared baking pan, gently pressing cookie dough into the pan to evenly spread it out. Gently press the remaining M&M candies into the top of the cookie bars.
- Bake the cookie bars for 18-24 minutes (time will vary depending on the size of your pan) or until the edges turn golden brown. The center may still be soft however, the center will continue to set as the bars cool.
- Allow the bars to cool on a rack at room temperature before slicing into servings and enjoying.
Recipe Notes
Also, please see the actual recipe post for further details on this recipe. Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used. See DiyandFun.com for details on this recipe.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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-Mary.
