Description

These 30 Minute M&M Cookie Bars are a deliciously thick and chewy treat, packed with colorful M&Ms and rich dark chocolate chunks. Perfect for when you want all the flavor and texture of a classic cookie but baked into convenient bar form. They are quick to prepare, baked to a golden brown with slightly crispy edges, and make a fantastic snack or dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

100g unsalted butter, melted and cooled (re-weigh after melting and add a little extra butter if needed)
120g light or dark brown sugar
45g granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks, at room temperature (about 45g egg yolks)
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

135g all-purpose flour
¼ tsp baking powder
2g salt (½ tsp kosher salt)

Add-ins

180g M&Ms plus a few more for topping, optional
85g dark chocolate, chopped

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Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line an 8-inch (20cm) non-stick baking pan with parchment paper, leaving the parchment extending over the sides to create a sling for easy bar removal. Secure with binder clips if needed.
Mix wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla. Whisk vigorously by hand or with a handheld electric mixer until the mixture thickens and lightens slightly in color.
Add dry ingredients: Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold these gently into the wet mixture using a spatula until just a few flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing for tender bars.
Incorporate M&Ms and chocolate: Fold in the M&Ms and chopped dark chocolate with the spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Press dough into the pan: Transfer the dough into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with an offset spatula. Optionally, press a few extra M&Ms on top for decorative effect.
Bake: Bake the cookie bars for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set, and the edges are starting to firm up. For crispier edges, bake a bit longer as desired.
Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment sling and cut into 12 pieces with a sharp knife.
Storage: Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

These cookie bars are thick, chewy, and packed with chocolate and M&Ms, combining the best of cookie flavor and bar convenience.
Ensure the egg yolks are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
Use binder clips to secure parchment paper for easy bar removal from the pan.
Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven; keep an eye on the edges to prevent overbaking.
For a nuttier twist, you could add chopped nuts alongside the chocolate.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 1/12th of recipe)
Calories: 260 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 110 mg
Fat: 13 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg