M&M Cookie Bars are an easy treat that the kids can help with! They can be dressed up for any season by buying a seasonal package of M&Ms. These was have green mint flavored M&M’s for St. Patrick’s Day!
These Cookie Bars are easy and fun to make for just about any holiday! Now they have M&M’s specially packaged for Valentines Day, St. Patty’s Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas, at the very least. There are probably a few others that I missed! You could just do them for a fun weekend project any time of the year with regular, multi-colored M&M’s!
What are cookie bars?
Cookie Bars is a general term in the world of cookies that refers to any cookie cooked in a large pan and then cut into “bars” or squares. Cookie Bars can be made in a endless variety of variations!
A Bit of History on the M&M’s
Sometimes the history of a specfic food, or it’s origins really fascinate me! For instance, M&M’s were first manufactured in 1941. The idea for the M&M’s occured during a trip to Europe when Forrest Mars observed British troops eating British Smarties, which were milk chocolate, coated in a hardened sugar coating, so that the chocolate did not melt.
M&M’s stood for the business partership between Forrest Mars and William Murrie, son of the Hershey’s chocolate president. The deal they struck allowed them to use Hershey’s chocolate, who had control of the rationed chocolate. (Chocolate was rationed during the war for the troops) The success of the chocolate is directly attributed to the second world war, when the United States Government was the companies’ biggest customer!
Can Cookie Bars be Frozen?
Yes. Cookie Bars can be wrapped in an airtight plastic wrap, or a container and frozen for several months.
How to make M&M cookie bars
- Line baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Measure dry ingredients in bowl.
- Break 2 room temperature eggs.
- Two sticks of butter in mixing bowl.
- Cream until smooth and light colored.
- Add sugars and cream until light colored.
- Add eggs. Combine.
- Add vanilla. Combine.
- Mix dry ingredients in, in 3 additions, just until mixed.
- Add in chopped nuts by hand.
Spread out the dough evenly on the parchment paper. Add M&M’s to the top. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, until browned and tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
When to cut cookie bars
These M&M’s Cookie Bars should be cooled for 30- 1 hour, before cutting, depending on the air temperature. They should not be totaly cooled. They slice more uniform if the chocolate is just a bit gooey in the center still. Use a very sharp knife to cut through the M&M’s.
That’s how easy it is to make these M&M’s Cookie Bars! I hope you like the recipe today!
Some other delicious cookies
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M&M Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup Butter 2 sticks, room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 cup M&M’s chocolate candy any variety
- 1/2 cup M&M’s chocolate candy for garnish
Instructions
- Measure and combine dry ingredients in bowl.
- Cream butter with electric mixer until creamy and light.
- Add sugars and cream again, until light in color.
- Add eggs. Combine.
- Add vanilla. Combine.
- Incorporate flour in 3 additions, just until combined in between additions.
- Stir in chopped nuts by hand.
- Evenly spread dough into parchment paper lined 9″x13″ pan. Top with M&M’s
- If most of the M&M’s sink into dough, garnish with additional candies right after they come out of the oven.
- Cool until almost completely cool. Then cut with a very sharp knife into bars or squares.
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Notes
Nutrition
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Ramona
A perfect activity to get my kids involved with this weekend. They were saying they love to bake some cookies and these look perfect and fit for St Patrick’s day.
Thank you so much for this inspiring recipe Beth.
Binky
These are so easy for them help with too, Ramona! Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Susan
My daughter is the baker in our house… I’m going to pick up a bag of green M&M’s today so she can make these for our St. Patty’s Day celebration tomorrow! Interesting story about the origin of M&M’s… you learn a new thing every day. 🙂
Binky
I find the history foods fascinating! Let me know what your daughter thinks! Thank you Susan! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Jagruti Dhanecha
Who would say no these yummy and tasty m&m cookie bars, such straightforward recipe and a perfect treat for a St. Patrick day
Binky
Thank you Jagruti! I know my family loves them! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Natalie
Oh you don’t have to tell me twice. I’m all over this delicious looking bars already. Can’t wait to make them for me and my family. My kiddo will be delighted, I just know! Thanks!
Binky
I know for sure that they would love these! Thank you so much, Natalie! Enjoy!
Mayuri Patel
How mindlessly some of tend to enjoy products without knowing the history behind it. Informative to read about the origins of M&M. Those hues of green look so pretty and did you say mint flavored?Wow, wish I could have them. Cookie bars is a great gift idea.
Binky
Yes, that is true! They would be great for gift giving! I thought the history behind M&M’s was fascinating, as well! Thank you Mayuri!
Adriana
How cute you never go wrong with chocolate M&Ms and cookies. A perfect treat for St Patrick’s day, cheers!
Binky
Happy St. Patty’s Day to you, as well! Thanks so much for stopping by, Adriana!
Kelly Anthony
I love that I can make these festive for any holiday! My girls will love helping me make these and sharing them with their friends.
Binky
Kids just love making cookies! (and M&M’s) These one are so easy! They will have a blast! Thanks Kelly!
Tisha
Such a great simple idea for St. Pattys day treat!!!
Binky
Thank you so much Trisha! Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Caroline
These are such a fun treat! I love that you can change them up for different occasions just by swapping the color of the M&Ms too.
Binky
It’s great to one recipe that can be adapted to all seasons! Thanks you Caroline! Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Dannii
I would happily eat M&Ms in anything! These would be great for St Patrick’s Day!
Binky
Everyone loves M&M’s! Thanks for stopping by and Happy St. Patty’s Day, Dannii!