Best cookie bar recipe
Not quite a cookie and not quite a brownie, these M&M Cookie Bars are sure to please everyone this Holiday Season! They are loaded with crunchy cookie pieces and white chocolate chips, and of course full of red and green M&M's to give them a festive spin.
Cookie? Bar? Brookie!
Mr. Olive came home with this new package of chocolate chips the other week with cookie pieces in it and as soon as I saw them I knew I was going to make something special for my nephews birthday celebration on the weekend.
Now I knew I didn't want to do just a regular cookie, and I didn't want a brownie either (while I love them -see our Nutella Brownies) I really wanted to make something that would showcase the crunchy cookie pieces of the Chipits he brought home.
That is how we came up with these tasty Christmas Cookie Bars that we are now calling a "Brookie" (brownie/cookie)! Just think about how cute these would be on a plate for Santa!
Ingredients
- Margarine (or butter)
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla
- All Purpose Flour
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- M&M's Candy
- Cookies n Cream Chipits
Tips for the perfect cookie bars
- Take your margarine and egg out of the fridge ahead of time - try for at least 30 minutes but longer is better.
- Add your Chipits and M&M's last and only mix until combined - this prevents them from breaking apart and keeps whole chunks in your bars.
- Keep a eye on the timer, set it for 25 minutes and check them - they should be lightly golden on top but not dark as they will continue to cook once they are pulled and you want to make sure you have the soft center.
- Allow them to cool completely before cutting them! As tempting as it is to eat one fresh from the oven if you don't let them cool then you will end up with squished candies on top and throughout.
Be sure to PIN THIS COOKIE BAR RECIPE so you have it for later!
Frequently asked questions
How do you turn a cookie recipe into a cookie bar?
It really comes down to the amount of time in the oven and the method of baking.
Rather than dropping your cookie dough by teaspoon full onto a baking sheet you will want to use an 8"x 8" greased baking pan, this will get the needed depth for you to cut into squares.
As for the time in the oven, you will need to increase this from a normal 10-12 minute bake time for a traditional cookie recipe. For a typical 8" baking pan I suggest starting with a timer for 25 minutes and to pull them once they are lightly golden on top.
Now you also want to keep in mind that many cookie recipes make 24-36 individual cookies and this would be too much for your bars. You should have about 1.5" of batter in your pan for best results, and if you have left over batter you can always freeze it and use it for cookies later on!
How far ahead can I make Cookie Bars?
The good news is that you can make these bars as far ahead as a month if you want to! They freeze great, just be sure to allow the cookie bars to cool completely before cutting into squares and freezing.
If you want to make them to take to an event in a few days that is fine too - and no need to freeze them. You can simply keep them in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days. Bonus points for a baking dish that comes with an airtight lid - we have a couple of these glass ones and they are lifesavers in the kitchen.
Christmas M&M Cookie Bars
Loaded with chocolate cookie pieces, white chocolate chips, and M&M's these Cookie Bars are so easy to make with a crunchy outside with a soft and sweet middle...what's not to love?
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoon Margarine, can use butter as well
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar, lightly packed
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 cup Flour, All purpose
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- pinch Salt
- 1 cup M&M's Candy
- 1 package Cookies n Cream Chipits , (white chocolate chips with cookie pieces)
Instructions
- Grease an 8 x 8 baking pan and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Beat margarine with sugars until light and fluffy. Add in egg and vanilla and beat on medium speed until fully combined.
- In a small bowl whisk together your dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda). Add to wet ingredients and mix to combine.
- Stir in both chocolates only until mixed through (do not beat as you will break the pieces).
- Bake 22-27 minutes, until they are lightly golden. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 194Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 73mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 2g
*Please note that nutritional values are not always 100% accurate and are to be used as a guide.
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The best thing about these M&M Cookie Bars, besides their deliciousness, was hearing how much everyone else enjoyed them! My nephews searched me out at the party just to tell me how yummy they were, now if that doesn't make your heart expand I don't know what will.
The only issue? I ALWAYS like to leave a couple of whatever I have made (cookies, bars, brownies etc) on a plate at home so me and my hubby can have one the following day since we hardly ever eat our own stuff at a party...but since he packed our tray this time there were none left for us to enjoy so all we got were our "tester" cookie bars! That's okay though, just means I get to make them again!
what a festive looking cookie bar and I love how colorful and vibrant they are for Christmas
They are perfect for Christmas Baking, so yummy and easy to make!
I love the idea of a pan of bars over individual cookies- time saving and a delicious idea!
Cookie Bars are so yummy, I too love that it is one and done rather than 3-4 trays of cookies some days!
Okay seriously… why have I never heard of this cookie?! I’m going to have to gather all the ingredients and make these cookie bars!
They are so good Mahy, Cookie Bars are easy to make too which is always a bonus for baking especially with kids!
I love cookies and M&M's; even better that it is Christmas colors. It gives me all types of ideas for birthdays, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day... anything.
Yes!!! That is what we love about them, easy customization for any event! #CookieBarsfortheWIN 😛
OMG! this recipe has my name on it! This looks so rich, delicious and so festive! My kid will love these bars!
I've always loved the idea of using M&M's in cookies especially since you can gear them towards the specific holiday. The red and green screams Christmas. They certainly will be a hit on the dessert tray.
They are so tasty, and more unique than a traditional Christmas cookie!!
Oh my, this is such a coincidence I just made some M&M bars yesterday when my kids had friends over. Always a huge treat. So delicious.
Everything that has M&Ms in it is a must for me. I just love them. And if you say these cookie bars will please everyone, I can't go past. Thank you!
Thanks April!! These Cookie bars are loaded with chocolate and cookie pieces that I know everyone will love, let us know if you make them!
So many delicious ideas for my Christmas baking!! Thanks so much for sharing our M&M Bars!