These Valentine M&M Cookie Bars are sweet and chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips and colorful Valentine M&M’s in every bite. Baked until perfectly gooey in the center with golden edges, they’re everything you want in an easy dessert bar. This simple cookie bar recipe is perfect for classroom parties, holiday platters, bake sales, or anytime you’re craving a soft and chewy chocolate-filled treat.
I adore a good cookie bar that is actually chewy and gooey and NOT dry! This is the recipe you will love! If you are looking for another great Valentine cookie recipe try this one - Peanut Butter Reese's Hearts Cookies!
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Ingredients
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar
- milk
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- all purpose flour
- cornstarch
- baking soda
- baking powder
- salt
- semi sweet chocolate chips
- mini semi sweet chocolate chips
- Valentine M&Ms
See exact measurements in recipe card below.
Instructions
First, preheat your oven to 325°F and generously spray a standard half sheet pan (13x18) with nonstick spray; set it aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugars and mix on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Next, add in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. Then, add the dry ingredients and mix just until mostly combined. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, being careful not to over mix.
Now, turn the dough out onto your prepared baking sheet and begin spreading it evenly—take your time, it will all fit! A helpful tip: spray your fingers with cooking spray to make pressing the dough into the pan easier and less sticky. Once smooth, sprinkle M&Ms over the top and gently press them in using a spreader or butter knife.
Bake for 27 minutes, then begin checking for doneness. You may need up to 33 minutes, but it’s best to slightly underbake them, as the bars will continue to cook a bit in the pan after being removed from the oven. They may appear puffy at first—if so, you can gently tap the pan on the counter to help them settle. Finally, sprinkle the mini chocolate chips and remaining M&Ms on top, let them cool completely, and then slice into bars.
Equipment
A well stocked kitchen makes baking so much more fun! A good quality sheet pan is essential for this recipe and so many more recipes. Here is an affiliate link to my FAVS! You definitely need to check out this pan! It is so worth it!
Storage
Unless I am needing to serve these right away, I keep them in the pan so they do not dry out. I absolutely LOVE this sheet pan cover. If you do not have one, I highly recommend getting one. It's great for covering sheet cakes, cookies, rising dough, transporting mini cupcakes etc! Never worry about plastic wrap or foil again sticking to your baked goods!
Once I cut these cookies I wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.
Why?
If you are wondering why you need to make these instead of regular cookies....these can feed a crowd! It will serve 24 good sized bars and up to 36 for smaller bars! No running back and forth to the oven and scooping dough. This is one and done and so easy for those busy days!
FAQs
I promise there is...trust me. take your time and smooth it out with a spreader. Another way I also like to spread th dough is to use cooking spray on my fingers and spread it that way as well.
It's all about the presentation. It makes this look more like a finished cookie bar.
More Sheet Pan Desserts
- Texas Sheet Cake
- Chocolate Chip Cookie BarsÂ
- Sheet Pan Rice Krispie Treats
- Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Valentine Recipes to Try
- Valentine Sugar Cookies
- Peanut Butter Reese's Hearts Cookies
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Heart Cookies
- Hershey Bar Pie
Valentine M&M Cookie Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter very soft, almost melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar packed
- 2 Tbsp. milk whole is best
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cups semi sweet chocolate chips (I use semi sweet but use your favorite
- ½ cup Valentine M&Ms
- ¼ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips to sprinkle on top after baking - I use Minis but not necessary
- ¼ cup Valentine M&Ms to sprinkle on top after baking
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray a standard half sheet pan with nonstick spray (size is 13x18) and set aside. Add the butter and sugars together in a mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until smooth. Add the milk, eggs and vanilla. And mix until combined. Add the dry ingredients. Mix until mostly combined. Add the chocolate chips in and fold just until combined. Add the batter to the prepared baking sheet. Spread evenly until smooth. All of the batter will fit perfectly, it just takes smoothing. I like to use a cake spreader. I also like to spray my finger with cooking spray and press that way. Add the ½ cup M&Ms on top and smooth in with a spreader or butter knife.
- Bake for 27-37 minutes. I start checking at 27 minutes. You will want to lightly underbake because these cook in the pan a tiny bit after removing from oven. The cookie pan should be golden, but not brown. They will be a little puffy at first but will settle. Tapping them gently on the counter will help them to settle. Sprinkle the remaining chips and M&Ms on top. Cool completely and cut.
emily says
Obsessed with how perfect these turned out and how easy it is for feeding a group!! perfect for a galentines!
Misty Tannery says
Galentines is a great idea! So So glad you liked them!
Leanne says
These were so amazing! I love chocolate chip cookies, but these are even better!
Misty Tannery says
So glad you liked them! It’s an easy treat for sure!
Risa says
We made these for an early Valentine's treat and they were so good! We love the extra chocolate with the chocolate chips and m&ms. They were fun, easy and great for sharing with a group of teens. Thanks for the great recipe!
Misty Tannery says
I am so so glad you all liked them!
Madhu says
These cookie bars look so good! Saving this recipe to make soon, perfect for parties, bake sales, or just a sweet treat.
Misty Tannery says
I love making them for a crowd!
Abi says
Perfect bars to make on Valentines day month! My kid would go crazy for this bars!
Misty Tannery says
They will love them!
Eva says
Such a perfect cookie bar! Definitely will make them again.
Misty Tannery says
So glad you liked it!
Therese says
These were amazing! I used Christmas M&M's because I had lots left over. They were delicious!
Misty Tannery says
Great idea to use up those candies!
Courtney says
These were perfectly chewy and delicious! Love that I can use this recipe throughout the year and just change up the color of the M&Ms!
Misty Tannery says
So glad you liked them so much! I love to change it up for the seasons as well!