The Joyful Easter M&M Cookie Bars Recipe Everyone Loves

Sweet, buttery, and loaded with colorful Easter M&M cookie bars that sparkle with festive charm, these delightful treats promise to be the highlight of any spring gathering.

Soft, chewy, and packed with vibrant candy pieces, the bars blend classic cookie goodness with seasonal fun.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of rich chocolate and crisp edges that melt in your mouth.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dessert everyone will adore.

Baked to golden perfection, these bars offer a delightful twist on traditional cookies.

Kids and adults alike will find these Easter M&M cookie bars irresistibly delicious.

Grab a glass of cold milk and prepare for a sweet celebration of springtime joy.

Why Easter M&M Cookie Bars Are Always a Hit

• Celebrate Easter with these colorful M&M cookie bars that bring instant joy and excitement to any holiday gathering.
• Using a cake mix as the base, this recipe transforms complicated cookie-making into a quick and foolproof dessert anyone can master.
• Easter M&Ms add a playful burst of color and seasonal spirit, making these bars perfect for springtime celebrations and family get-togethers.
• Involve children in mixing the batter and sprinkling candies, creating a fun bonding experience that encourages creativity in the kitchen.

The Full Ingredient List for Easter M&M Cookie Bars

• Yellow Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides a quick and easy foundation for the cookie bars.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie bars.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a soft and tender texture in the baked treat.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste.

• Easter M&M Candies, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Colorful and sweet additions that provide bursts of chocolate flavor and festive visual appeal.

• Nonstick Cooking Spray: Helps prevent the cookie bars from sticking to the baking dish.

Tools and Equipment Needed for Cookie Bar Success

• 9×13 inch casserole dish: Essential for baking the cookie bars evenly.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla.
• Spatula: Great for folding M&Ms and chocolate chips into batter, and smoothing the top.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Nonstick cooking spray: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Cooling rack (optional): Helps cool bars more quickly and evenly.

Step-by-Step Baking for Easter M&M Cookie Bars

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven dial to 350F (177C).

Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a quick spray of nonstick cooking spray to keep things from sticking.

Step 2: Create the Magical Mixture

• Yellow cake mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Stir everything together until it becomes a thick, delightful batter.

Gently fold in the playful Easter M&M candies and chocolate chips, making sure they’re scattered throughout the mixture like colorful confetti.

Step 3: Spread and Bake

Smooth the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to create an even layer.

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

You’re looking for golden edges and a center that’s just set – this keeps the bars deliciously chewy.

Step 4: Cool and Enjoy

Patience is key!

Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan.

This helps them firm up and become the perfect treat.

Once cooled, slice into squares and watch as everyone gobbles them up in seconds.

Best Tips for Chewy, Colorful M&M Cookie Bars

• Add an extra egg yolk to create super moist and tender cookie bars that melt in your mouth.
• If the cake mix feels too sweet, replace half with all-purpose flour to reduce overall sugar content and create a more balanced flavor profile.
• Lightly coat M&M candies in a tablespoon of flour before folding into batter to prevent them from dropping to the bottom during baking.
• Sprinkle sea salt on top after baking to contrast the sweetness and elevate the overall taste complexity.
• Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their soft texture.

Tasty Ideas for Mixing Up Easter M&M Cookie Bars

• Gluten-Free Easter Bars: Replace yellow cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix or blend almond flour, coconut flour, and gluten-free baking powder for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Easter Treats: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and select vegan chocolate chips and dairy-free M&M alternatives.
• Healthier Easter Bars: Substitute part of the cake mix with whole wheat flour, use coconut sugar instead of regular sugar, and add chopped nuts for extra nutrition.
• Low-Sugar Option: Choose a sugar-free cake mix, use sugar-free chocolate chips, and select natural sweetener alternatives like stevia or monk fruit to reduce overall sugar content.

Fun Ways to Serve Easter M&M Cookie Bars

• Festive Easter Brunch Companion: Pair these colorful bars alongside fresh fruit salad and mimosas for a delightful holiday morning spread.
• Dessert Table Star: Arrange the bars on a beautiful Easter-themed platter, garnished with pastel-colored sprinkles or mini chocolate eggs for extra charm.
• Kids' Party Delight: Create a fun cookie bar station where children can decorate individual squares with additional M&Ms or drizzled white chocolate.
• Gift-Worthy Treat: Package cooled bars in clear cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons as charming homemade gifts for family and friends during Easter celebrations.

Storing Easter M&M Cookie Bars for Sweet Snacking

• Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture and prevent drying out.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Alternatively, warm in a preheated oven at 325F for 3-5 minutes for a crisp edge and soft center.

FAQs

• Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can substitute the yellow cake mix with white, vanilla, or even funfetti cake mix for a different twist on the recipe.

• How do I prevent the M&Ms from sinking?

Lightly coat the M&Ms in a bit of flour before folding into the batter. This helps them stay suspended throughout the cookie bars.

• Are these bars good for kids' parties?

Absolutely! The colorful Easter M&Ms make these cookie bars festive and fun, perfect for children’s celebrations or Easter gatherings.

• Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Try using a gluten-free cake mix and ensure your M&Ms and chocolate chips are also gluten-free to create a similar tasty treat.

Easter M&M Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Easter M&M cookie bars blend classic chocolate chip cookie goodness with festive pastel candies. Colorful and delightful, these treats bring springtime cheer to family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) yellow cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup Easter M&M candies
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Additional Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until a uniform, thick batter forms, creating a smooth consistency.
3. Gently incorporate Easter M&M candies and semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter, folding carefully to distribute the colorful morsels evenly throughout.
4. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and create an even surface.
5. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a set center that indicates perfect doneness.
6. Remove from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan, which helps them firm up and makes cutting easier.
7. Once fully cooled, slice into square portions and serve, enjoying the festive and delicious Easter-themed treat.

Notes

• Customize the Cake Mix Experiment with different cake mix flavors like white or funfetti for unique variations that match seasonal celebrations or personal preferences.
• Add Texture Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or almonds into the batter for extra crunch and depth of flavor without compromising the cookie bar’s soft texture.
• Make It Dietary-Friendly Swap regular cake mix with gluten-free alternatives and use dairy-free chocolate chips to accommodate gluten-sensitive or vegan guests while maintaining the delicious taste.
• Control Sweetness Reduce the amount of M&Ms or use dark chocolate chips to lower the overall sugar content, making the bars slightly less sweet and more balanced for health-conscious individuals.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg