M&M’s Halloween Cookie Bars Recipe
Delight in these festive M&M’s Halloween Cookie Bars, bursting with colorful candy and rich chocolate chips baked into a buttery, soft cookie base. Perfect for Halloween parties or seasonal treats, these bars offer a fun and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth with a festive twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups Halloween M&M’s (plus extra for topping)
- Optional: candy eyeballs, Halloween sprinkles, crushed Oreos, peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or spray it with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter together with brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined, ensuring not to overmix the dough.
- Fold in candy: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips and most of the Halloween M&M’s into the dough, reserving some candies to sprinkle on top before baking.
- Spread into pan: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish. Decorate the top by pressing the reserved M&M’s and any optional candy eyeballs, Halloween sprinkles, or crushed Oreos for added festive flair.
- Bake: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges should turn golden brown while the center remains just set for soft, chewy bars.
- Cool and slice: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing them into squares for serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep the bars tender.
- If desired, customize toppings with festive Halloween candies or sprinkles.
- Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For thicker bars, use a smaller baking pan or reduce the baking time slightly.
Keywords: Halloween cookie bars, M&M cookie bars, Halloween dessert, chocolate chip cookie bars, festive Halloween treats
