Description
These M&M’s Halloween Cookie Bars are a festive twist on classic cookie bars, packed with colorful Halloween-themed M&M’s and mini chocolate chips in a soft, buttery base. Perfect for holiday celebrations, they combine a rich, chewy texture with bursts of chocolatey sweetness and a fun seasonal look.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar
- 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups Halloween M&M’S
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Topping
- Additional Halloween M&M’S (to taste)
- Additional mini chocolate chips (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch aluminum baking pan with foil, making sure to leave some overhang for easier removal and cutting. Spray the foil generously with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time and then the vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Continue beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the cookie bars tender.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Fold in 1 1/2 cups of Halloween M&M’S and 1 cup of mini chocolate chips, reserving some to sprinkle on top of the dough later.
- Transfer to Pan and Add Toppings: Spoon the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Press the reserved Halloween M&M’S and mini chocolate chips onto the surface for a colorful, festive finish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use the foil overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and cut into squares for serving.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Spooning and leveling the flour helps avoid dense cookie bars caused by too much flour.
- Do not overbake; the cookie bars will continue to set as they cool to maintain a soft center.
- For extra festive bars, consider adding orange or black colored sugar sprinkles on top with the M&M’s.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 to 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Halloween cookie bars, M&M cookie bars, chocolate chip cookie bars, festive cookie recipe, easy cookie bars
