Halloween M&M Cookie Bars
When you want a festive Halloween treat without scooping and baking dozens of individual cookies, these Halloween M&M cookie bars are the answer. They’re soft and chewy in the middle, golden around the edges, and packed with melty chocolate chips and colorful Halloween M&Ms. Perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or an easy October dessert, these cookie bars are simple to make but still feel special. If you’re looking for easy Halloween desserts or creative cookie recipes to add to your collection, this one checks all the boxes.
Jump to Recipe
Ingredients for Halloween M&M Cookie Bars
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these soft and chewy Halloween cookie bars:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup Halloween M&Ms, plus a few extra for topping
How to Make Halloween M&M Cookie Bars
These festive cookie bars couldn’t be easier. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a pan of soft, gooey Halloween treats ready to enjoy.
1. Prep the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. Make the dough: In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
3. Add the dry ingredients: Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Mix in the fun stuff: Fold in the chocolate chips, sprinkles, and a few Halloween M&Ms. Save some of the M&Ms for later.
5. Spread and parbake: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. You’ll probably have to use your hands because the dough is rather thick. Bake for 15 minutes to let the dough begin to set.
6. Add more Halloween M&Ms: Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle some extra Halloween M&Ms across the top. Adding them partway through baking keeps the candies colorful and visible on the surface.
7. Finish baking: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 5–10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center looks set.
8. Cool and cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.
Pro Tips
- For extra Halloween color, parbake the bars for about 15 minutes and then sprinkle additional Halloween M&Ms on top before finishing the bake. This keeps the candies bright and visible instead of letting all of them sink into the dough.
- Don’t skip the parchment paper. It definitely makes removing and slicing the cookie bars much easier.
- For extra-gooey bars, pull them from the oven while the center is still slightly soft. They’ll continue to set as they cool.
- You can use seasonal M&Ms to make this recipe for other occasions too. Red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July. It’s an easy way to turn one simple recipe into festive cookie bars for nearly any holiday.
- If you need more cookie bars, double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 pan.
FAQs
Can I use different candies instead of Halloween M&Ms?
Yes! You can substitute Reese’s Pieces, chopped candy bars, mini peanut butter cups, or another seasonal candy. This recipe is flexible and works with all kinds of creative cookie combinations.
Do I need to chill the dough?
No chilling is required. These Halloween M&M cookie bars go straight from the mixing bowl to the pan and then into the oven.
How should I store these cookie bars?
Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They stay soft and chewy for days, which makes them perfect for make-ahead Halloween treats.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, these cookie bars freeze beautifully. Wrap the individual bars in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They’ll last for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re baking for a Halloween party or a bigger crowd, double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan. Adjust the baking time as needed and keep an eye on the bars toward the end.
These Halloween M&M cookie bars are a quick and easy dessert that ghosts and goblins of all ages will love. They’re soft, chewy, chocolatey, and filled with festive Halloween colors, making them perfect for parties, school celebrations, or a cozy Halloween movie night. Keep this recipe handy whenever you need a simple Halloween dessert that looks festive without requiring hours of decorating.
Halloween M&M Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup Halloween M&Ms plus a few extra for topping
Instructions
- Prep the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients: Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix in the fun stuff: Fold in the chocolate chips, sprinkles, and a few Halloween M&Ms. Save some of the M&Ms for later.
- Spread and parbake: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. You’ll probably have to use your hands because the dough is rather thick. Bake for 15 minutes to let the dough begin to set.
- Add more Halloween M&Ms: Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle some extra Halloween M&Ms across the top. Adding them partway through baking keeps the candies colorful and visible on the surface.
- Finish baking: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 5–10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center looks set.
- Cool and cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.
