Can I use regular M&Ms instead of Easter M&Ms?

Absolutely! While Easter M&Ms offer those lovely seasonal colors, regular M&Ms work perfectly in this recipe. You can even use other candy-coated chocolates like Reese's Pieces for a different flavor profile.

My bars seem undercooked in the center. Did I do something wrong?

Not at all! Cookie bars should be slightly underdone when you take them out of the oven. They'll continue to cook and set up as they cool. If you bake until they seem fully done, they'll likely end up overdone and dry once cooled.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend. The texture might be slightly different, but they'll still be delicious.

How far in advance can I make these for an Easter gathering?

These bars can be made 2-3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. You could also make the dough ahead of time, refrigerate it for up to 3 days, and bake it fresh the day before or the morning of your gathering.

Easter Cookie Bars Recipe - LazyDayRecipes

Description

These Easter Cookie Bars are the perfect festive treat to brighten up your holiday celebration! Soft, chewy, and loaded with colorful Easter candies like M&M’s, Hershey’s chocolate Easter bunnies, and mini Robin Eggs, these bars are a delightful combination of flavors and textures. They’re easy to whip up and will surely be a hit among kids and adults alike!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking soda

Wet Ingredients

3/4 cup butter (softened to room temperature)
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings

2/3 cup Easter M&;M's (divided)
Hershey's chocolate Easter bunnies
Mini Robin Eggs
Pastel sprinkles

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Instructions

Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350℉. This ensures the oven is adequately heated before you bake the cookie bars for even cooking.
Prepare the baking pan:
Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Leave some overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out after baking.
Mix the dry ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and baking soda. Stir thoroughly and set aside for later use.
Cream the butter and sugars:
In a separate mixing bowl, add the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using a handheld or stand mixer, cream the ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture becomes fluffy and well-blended.
Add wet ingredients to the sugar mixture:
To the sugar mixture, add eggs and vanilla extract. Continue mixing on low speed until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Incorporate the dry ingredients:
Scrape down the sides of your mixing bowl with a spatula as needed. Add half of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low until fully combined. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture, making sure to mix until the dough is uniform.
Fold in the M&M’s:
Add ½ cup of the Easter M&M candies to the cookie dough, and carefully fold them in using a spoon or spatula. Be gentle to avoid crushing the candies.
Spread dough into the pan:
Transfer the cookie dough to your prepared baking pan. Spread the dough evenly across the pan. The dough will be sticky, so lightly spray your hands with nonstick spray to help press it down evenly.
Add toppings:
Sprinkle the remaining M&M candies and pastel sprinkles over the top of the dough for an added festive touch.
Bake:
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is just set.
Top with additional Easter treats:
Once removed from the oven, gently place Hershey’s chocolate Easter bunnies and mini Robin Eggs on top of the freshly baked bars. Lightly press them into the warm dough to secure them in place.
Cool and serve:
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Once fully cooled, lift the bars out of the pan and cut them into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

Storage: Keep these cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For extended freshness, refrigerate them and warm slightly before serving.
Optional toppings: Feel free to customize the toppings with your favorite candy or chocolate chips.
Freezing: These bars can also be frozen. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before enjoying.
For softer cookie bars: Be careful not to overbake. The bars will continue to set as they cool.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 270
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 45mg