Easter Cookie Bars

Soft and chewy Easter Cookie Bars are easy to make, have great sugar cookie flavor, and are perfect for parties and holiday celebrations.

Easter sugar cookie bars with M&M’s are a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for the springtime holiday. These bars are made with homemade sugar cookie dough that is pressed into a baking dish and topped with colorful Easter M&M’s.

If you like a dump-and-bake-style treat that doesn’t require all the hassle of portioning out individual cookies – these cookie bars are for you. No chilling, no worrying about cookies falling flat. Just mix and bake!

I’m telling you – these are so simple and they not only make great treats for your holiday parties – but I know your neighbors would love a tray of them too!

Commonly Asked Questions About Easter Cookie Bars

Why You Should Make This Recipe

There are several reasons why you should make Easter sugar cookie bars with M&M’s:

• Delicious flavor: These bars are made from a classic sugar cookie dough that is enhanced with the addition of colorful Easter M&M’s. The result is a delicious and festive treat that is sure to please everyone’s taste buds.
• Easy to make: This recipe is simple and easy to follow, making it perfect for both experienced and novice bakers.
• Festive: The colorful Easter M&M’s add a fun and festive touch to the bars, making them perfect for any springtime celebration.
• Versatile: These bars are great for a variety of occasions, from Easter to a spring picnic or party.
• Crowd-pleaser: Everyone loves sugar cookies and M&M’s, making this recipe a crowd-pleaser that will be enjoyed by all.
• Kid-friendly: This recipe is a great activity to do with kids, as they will enjoy helping with the mixing and decorating.

Overall, making Easter sugar cookie bars with M&M’s is a fun and delicious way to celebrate the springtime holiday season, and it’s a recipe that is sure to impress and satisfy!

Can I use a different extract?

Sure! If you don’t like the flavor of almond extract or just want to make something different – lemon extract would be a wonderful substitute.

You can either replace all of the extracts with one single flavor of choice or pair something else with the vanilla or almond called for in this recipe.

Ingredients for Easter Cookie Bars

• granulated sugar
• butter – softened
• egg – large
• vegetable oil
• vanilla extract
• almond extract
• all-purpose flour 
• cornstarch
• baking powder
• table salt
• M&Ms – Easter/Spring Colors

Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need 

To make Easter sugar cookie bars with M&M’s, you will need the following kitchen supplies:

• Mixing bowls: You will need at least one medium and one large mixing bowl to mix the dough and the dry ingredients.
• Hand or stand mixer: A hand or stand mixer will make the process of creaming the butter and sugar together easier and faster.
• Measuring cups and spoons: You will need measuring cups and spoons to measure the ingredients accurately.
• Baking dish: Use an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking dish to bake the cookie bars.
• Parchment paper: Line the baking dish with parchment paper to prevent the cookie bars from sticking.
• Spatula: Use a spatula to fold in the Easter M&M’s into the dough.
• Cooling rack: Place the bars on a cooling rack after baking to cool them down.
• Knife or pizza cutter: Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the bars into squares.
• Airtight container or resealable plastic bag: Store the bars in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to keep them fresh.

Having these kitchen supplies on hand will make the process of making Easter sugar cookie bars with M&M’s easier and more enjoyable!

How to Make Easter Cookie Bars

1. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
2. Prepare an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
3. With a stand or hand mixer, cream together the sugar and the butter in a large bowl.
4. Add the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the creamed butter mixture. Mix until just incorporated.
5. Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to the bowl.
6. Mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated, being sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to mix all of the ingredients thoroughly.
7. Fold in half of the M&M’s.
8. Press the cookie dough mixture into the prepared pan. You can use the backside of a spoon or a spatula to smooth out the dough.
9. Spread and lightly press the remaining M&Ms into the top of the cookie dough.
10. Bake the cookie bars for about 18-23 minutes. The bars are done when tested with a toothpick or the batter is set and the sides are golden brown.
11. Let the bars cool and then cut them with a sharp knife into squares and serve.

Storage

To store your Easter sugar cookie bars with M&M’s, you can follow these simple steps:

1. Allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature.
2. Cut the bars into squares or rectangles.
3. Place the bars in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
4. Store the container or bag in a cool, dry place at room temperature.

Easter sugar cookie bars with M&M’s can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Freezer:

If you want to store them for a longer time, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw the bars at room temperature before serving.

Tips for making the best Easter Cookie Bars

Here are some tips for making the best Easter Cookie Bars:

• Use room temperature butter: Make sure your butter is at room temperature before starting to cream it with the sugar. Room-temperature butter mixes more easily with the sugar and gives a lighter texture to the cookie bars.
• Don’t overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough and dense bars. Mix the dough until the ingredients are just combined.
• Use high-quality ingredients: Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture. Use fresh eggs, good-quality vanilla extract, and high-quality flour.
• Add a little extra salt: Adding a little extra salt to the dough enhances the sweetness of the sugar and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Add M&M’s last: Fold in the Easter M&M’s gently into the dough at the end to avoid crushing the candies.
• Press the dough firmly: Press the dough firmly into the baking dish to ensure even baking and a solid base.
• Don’t overbake: Overbaking can cause the cookie bars to dry out and become hard. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set.
• Cool the bars completely before cutting: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares. This will prevent them from falling apart and ensure clean cuts.

Following these tips will help you make the best Easter Cookie Bars that are delicious and perfect for your holiday celebration!

Variations and Add-ins

There are several variations and add-ins that you can use to customize this easy recipe for Easter sugar cookie bars with M&M’s:

• Chocolate Chips: Swap out the M&M’s for chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, milk chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips, or add them in addition to the M&M’s.
• Nuts: Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the dough for extra texture and flavor. Or try coconut flakes.
• Sprinkles: Add colorful sprinkles, pastel sprinkles, and Easter sprinkles to the dough or sprinkle them on top of these colorful cookie bars for a fun and festive touch.
• Flavor Extracts: Add a teaspoon of almond extract, lemon extract, pure vanilla extract, or orange extract to the dough to give the bars different flavors.
• Frosting: Top the bars with a cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream frosting for extra sweetness and decadence.
• Different M&M’s: Try using different varieties of M&M’s such as peanut butter, pretzel, or dark chocolate.
• Easter Candy: Mix in other Easter candies such as mini Cadbury mini eggs, chocolate eggs, or Peeps for a colorful and fun twist.

These variations and add-ins can add new flavors and textures to your Easter sugar cookie bars with M&M’s, making them even more delicious and unique for your special occasion.

If you love this easy cookie bar recipe, you’re going to love these other Easter treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Great Cookie Bar Recipes

Samoa Cookie Bars

Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar Cookie Bars

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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