Easter M&M Cookie Bars

Course Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword easter-cookie-bars, easter-cookies, easter-m&m-cookie-bars

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Cooling time 1

Total Time 1 45

Servings servings

Calories 326kcal

Preheat oven to 350°F Butter and flour an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch nonstick baking pan or spray with baking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract on medium-high speed.
Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
In a medium size mixing bowl use a whisk to sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
Lower the speed of the mixer and gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Beat just until fully combined, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl periodically.
By hand, mix in ½ cup of M&M’s until evenly distributed. Spread cookie batter evenly into the prepared pan then sprinkle the top with the reserved ½ cup M&M’s gently pressing into the batter.
Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back showing moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack.
Slice and serve then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.

Bring Butter and Eggs to Room Temperature - I recommend that you begin with softened butter and room temperature eggs for even baking of the cookie bars.
Salted Butter - If you only have salted butter on hand, it's perfectly fine to use it. When doing so, decrease the salt called for in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon.
Nuts - You can add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, or pistachios to the cookie dough.
M&M's -You can also transform these into any season simply by changing the color of the M&M's or use egg shaped colorful candies.
Chocolate Chips - For an extra chocolaty flavor, fold 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough.
Other Mix-Ins - You could transfer the flavor adding 1/2 cup mini marshmallows along with the chocolate chips or coconut for a tropical flavor.
Add Sprinkles to the Top - You can add all of the M&M's to the dough and sprinkle the top with pastel colored sprinkles before baking.
Adjust as Needed - Keep in mind when you add things to a recipe, it may alter the baking time slightly. Be flexible and check the center with a toothpick before removing from the oven.