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Chewy M&M Confetti Cookie Bars

chewy M&M confetti cookie bars - featured image

These chewy M&M confetti cookie bars are a quick and easy treat perfect for back-to-school snacks, featuring a soft, chewy texture with colorful bursts of M&Ms and optional melty chocolate chips.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup (150g) packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (175g) M&Ms
  • 1/2 cup (90g) chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined and creamy.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula until no flour streaks remain. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold in the M&Ms and optional chocolate chips gently to preserve their shape and color.
  6. Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan using the back of a spoon or spatula, smoothing the top without pressing too hard.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for 30 to 40 minutes before slicing.
  9. Slice into bars using a sharp knife; warm the knife under hot water and dry it if it drags.

Notes

Do not overmix the dough to keep bars chewy. Use melted butter for a denser texture. Start checking bars at 20 minutes to avoid overbaking. Cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling. For thicker bars, use an 8×8-inch pan and increase baking time slightly. Chilling dough for 15 minutes before baking can help keep bars thicker and chewier. Letting bars rest overnight improves flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: M&M cookie bars, chewy cookie bars, back to school snacks, easy cookie bars, colorful cookie bars, chocolate chip bars