Easter Cookie Bars

These quick and easy, semi-homemade Easter Cookie Bars use just 5 ingredients and are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside, thick and full of chocolate chips and pretty pastel Easter M&M's. You really can't go wrong with these dessert bars.

Course Dessert, Easter

Cuisine American

Keyword easter cookie bars, easter dessert recipes

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 349kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

1 bag (17.5 oz) sugar cookie mix
1 bag (17.5 oz) chocolate chip cookie mix
2 large eggs
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter softened
1 cup Easter M&M's divided

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325° F. Prepare a 9x13 baking pan by spraying with cooking spray or lining with parchment paper.
^{* I use pre-cut parchment paper sheets. I spray the bottom of the pan, lay the parchment paper sheet inside the baking pan (paper is vertically up & down, pan is sitting horizontal on the counter like rectangle shape). That way the cooking spray helps the parchment paper adhere to the pan and there is some overhang so you can grab the bars out and cut them nicely.}
Add the dry sugar cookie mix and chocolate chip cookie mix into a large mixing bowl. Whisk together to combine.
Add in the eggs and softened butter. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, beat for 2-3 minutes on medium speed (increase speed as needed) until a smooth cookie dough forms.
^{* I think it's easiest to use a stand mixer so I whisk the dry cookie mixes in the stand mixer bowl, and then add the butter + sugar and let it beat.}
Stir in 3/4 cup of the Easter M&M candies.
Gently spread the cookie dough into the prepared pan and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Easter m&m's over top.
Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with just crumbs on it (no wet batter) and the edges are set and golden brown. The center should still be pale in color.
^{* It's so important to not overbake these bars. Only the edges should be browned and set. As the bars cool in the warm pan they will set and cook slightly more.}
^{* If the bars are getting too browned towards the end of the bake time, simply cover them loosely with a tin foil tent.}
Remove the cookie bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely before cutting into squares (1-2 hours).

Notes

Recipe Tips -

Add Sprinkles : It's always a good idea to add sprinkles whenever you're making a Holiday themed food. They have so many cute Easter sprinkles so I always grab one and sprinkle some on top of the bars before baking them. It just adds a little extra something, and it's totally optional.
No Extra Add-Ins : If you are using chopped nuts, other candies, or chocolate chips I recommend sticking to the 1 cup of add-ins that the recipe calls for. You don't want to overload the cookie bars with too much stuff or else they won't cook properly. You can mix & match but make sure that it is still 1 cup total.
Watch Bars Carefully : I recommend setting the timer for the lowest recommended bake time and then go from there. You don't want to be opening the oven several times and testing them either. I know my oven cooks really fast compared to my old oven (my oven is new) so when I cook these bars, they never cook for more than about 38 minutes. But your oven could be different so keep an eye on them. The toothpick test is the best way to determine if they are done or not. And look at the edges of the bars, they should be set, pulled away from the edge of the pan, and be golden browned. The middle should still be pale in color.
Beat For At Least 2 Minutes : It may seem a little extra but trust me, set the timer and beat it good. You want the butter to get fluffy and well incorporated into the cookie mixes. I like to use a stand mixer because then the beating time is hands off.
Use Correct Cookie Mixes : The cookie mixes are the bagged mixes of the dry ingredients. They are found in the baking aisle by the cake mixes. These are NOT the refrigerated cookie dough logs that are ready to slice and bake.

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