Easy Easter Cookie Bars

Buttery, chewy, and bursting with colorful Easter candy, these Easy Easter Cookie Bars deliver the perfect balance of sugar cookie sweetness and chocolate chip richness in every bite. The festive pastel M&M’s create a beautiful speckled appearance that makes these bars an instant holiday favorite without requiring any complicated decorating skills. Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch or need a simple treat for a spring celebration, these cookie bars come together in minutes but taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. You’ll learn how to create perfectly textured bars with golden edges and soft centers that will have everyone asking for your recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easy Easter Cookie Bars are a game-changer for holiday baking. Unlike traditional cookies that require multiple batches and constant oven monitoring, these bars bake in a single pan, saving you precious time during busy holiday preparations. The combination of two classic cookie mixes creates an irresistible texture with the buttery tenderness of sugar cookies and the rich, satisfying bite of chocolate chip cookies.

What makes these bars truly special is the sensory experience they deliver. Each square offers the perfect contrast between slightly crisp edges and a soft, chewy center that melts in your mouth. The pastel Easter M&M’s provide both a festive pop of color and delightful candy crunch against the tender cookie base.

Best of all, these bars require minimal ingredients and basic baking skills, making them perfect for baking with children. The simple preparation means less mess but maximum impact when you present these beautiful, celebration-worthy treats at your Easter gathering.

Ingredients List for the Easy Easter Cookie Bars

These ingredients combine the best of two cookie worlds with festive Easter candy for a treat that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The pre-made cookie mixes provide convenience without sacrificing flavor, while the butter and eggs create the perfect rich, chewy texture.

• 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)

Pro Tips

For truly exceptional Easy Easter Cookie Bars, pay attention to these critical techniques:

First, don’t rush the butter softening process. Properly softened butter should yield slightly to gentle pressure but still hold its shape. Microwaving butter often creates partially melted spots that affect the final texture. Instead, cut butter into small cubes and let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing.

The mixing stage is crucial for the perfect texture. Beat the mixture for the full 2-3 minutes specified to incorporate air and create that ideal chewy-yet-tender consistency. However, avoid overmixing after adding the M&M’s, as this can cause the candies to break and bleed colors throughout the dough.

Finally, trust your instincts on baking time. All ovens vary slightly, so begin checking at the 35-minute mark. Remember that properly baked bars will still look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven—this ensures they remain soft and chewy after cooling rather than becoming dry and crumbly.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325° F. Prepare a 9×13 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.

Step 2: Add the dry sugar cookie mix and chocolate chip cookie mix into a large mixing bowl. Whisk together to combine.

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: Stir in 3/4 cup of the Easter M&M candies.

Step 5: Gently spread the cookie dough into the prepared pan and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Easter M&M’s over top.

Step 6: 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.

Step 7: Remove the cookie bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely before cutting into squares (1-2 hours).

Variations

The versatile base of these Easy Easter Cookie Bars welcomes creative adaptations to suit different tastes and occasions:

For a chocolate lover’s dream, replace the sugar cookie mix with a second bag of chocolate chip cookie mix, and add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips along with the Easter M&M’s. The result is an intensely chocolatey bar with multiple texture elements.

Create a springtime twist by adding 1 teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough. The bright citrus notes complement the sweetness of the cookies and add a fresh dimension perfect for Easter celebrations.

For year-round enjoyment, simply swap the Easter M&M’s for seasonal varieties—red and green for Christmas, red and pink for Valentine’s Day, or classic colors for everyday treats. The cookie base remains deliciously consistent while the appearance transforms for any occasion.

Storage and Serving

These Easy Easter Cookie Bars maintain their delightful texture and flavor when stored properly. Once completely cooled, place them in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

For a simple but impressive dessert presentation, serve squares on a decorative Easter platter alongside fresh strawberries for a splash of color and complementary flavor. To transform these bars into a more indulgent dessert, warm individual squares for 10-15 seconds in the microwave and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

For gifting, stack cooled bars in a clear cellophane bag tied with pastel ribbon, or arrange them in a decorative tin lined with colorful tissue paper for a thoughtful Easter treat that travels well.

FAQs

Can I make these Easter cookie bars ahead of time?
Yes! These Easy Easter Cookie Bars actually benefit from being made 1-2 days ahead. The flavors meld and the texture settles beautifully. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature after they’ve completely cooled.

Can I use different candy instead of Easter M&M’s?
Absolutely. Mini chocolate eggs, chopped chocolate bunnies, or any seasonal chocolate candies work wonderfully. Just maintain the same quantity (1 cup total) to preserve the right texture balance in your cookie bars.

Why did my bars crack on top?
A cracked surface usually indicates that the bars were exposed to sudden temperature changes. Make sure your oven temperature is accurate, and allow the bars to cool gradually in the pan before removing them.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute gluten-free versions of both cookie mixes. Many major brands offer gluten-free alternatives that work perfectly in this recipe with no other adjustments needed.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The edges should be golden brown and set, while the center remains pale but not wet. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. Remember that the bars will continue cooking slightly as they cool in the warm pan.

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