Easter Cookie Bars

By Lily | Last modified on Mar 13, 2026

Featured in: Desserts

Celebrate spring and Easter with these delightful Easter Cookie Bars, a perfect blend of crispy edges and chewy centers. Combining two classic cookie mixes, these bars are packed with chocolate chips and colorful pastel Easter M&M’s, making them both visually appealing and irresistibly delicious.

Ready in under an hour and made with just five simple ingredients, these bars strike a beautiful balance between ease and flavor. Whether you’re sharing at a family gathering or packing treats for an Easter basket, these cookie bars are guaranteed to bring smiles.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines two cookie mixes for a unique, rich flavor and chewy texture.
Quick and simple, using just five primary ingredients.
Decorated with festive Easter M&M’s, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Thick, easy to slice bars that hold together well.

Ingredients

Sugar cookie mix (17.5 oz bag): Provides a sweet, buttery base with a crisp texture; found in baking aisle dry mixes.
Chocolate chip cookie mix (17.5 oz bag): Adds chocolatey richness and chewiness to the bars’ core structure.
Large eggs (2): Help bind ingredients together while contributing moisture and tenderness.
Salted butter (1 cup / 2 sticks), softened: Adds richness and flavor, essential for a tender, creamy dough.
Easter M&M’s (1 cup), divided: Colorful pastel candies add festive appeal and bursts of milk chocolate sweetness.

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Set your oven to 325°F and prepare a 9×13 baking pan by spraying it with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. Using pre-cut parchment sheets with sprayed bottoms helps the paper stick and creates easy handles for lifting the bars after baking.
Combine Dry Cookie Mixes: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar cookie mix and chocolate chip cookie mix until well combined. This step ensures an even distribution of ingredients, contributing to a consistent texture and flavor throughout the bars.
Add Eggs and Butter, Then Beat Dough: Add the softened butter and eggs to the dry ingredients. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. This introduces air, creating a smooth and fluffy dough necessary for a tender crumb.
Fold in Most of the Easter M&M’s: Stir in 3/4 cup of Easter M&M’s gently to evenly distribute colorful chocolate candies throughout the dough without breaking them. This adds delightful pockets of sweetness and color to every bite.
Spread Dough and Top with Remaining Candies: Carefully spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan using a silicone spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Easter M&M’s on top to create a decorative, festive finish that also adds texture.
Bake Until Edges Are Golden and Center Set: Bake for 35-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with only crumbs and the bars’ edges are golden brown and pulling slightly away from the pan. Avoid overbaking to keep the center chewy and soft.
Cool Completely Before Cutting: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely for 1-2 hours. Cooling allows them to set fully, making slicing easier and preserving their chewy texture.

You Must Know

Keep a close watch during baking to prevent overbaking; bars set more as they cool.
Use dry cookie mixes from the baking aisle, not refrigerated dough logs, to achieve the right texture.
You can add different candies or sprinkles but keep the total add-ins to 1 cup to ensure proper baking.

Storage Tips

Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and chewiness, or refrigerate for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

These Easter Cookie Bars are perfect on their own but can also be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Pair with a glass of cold milk or your favorite springtime beverage to enhance the celebration.

Professional Tips

Beat the dough thoroughly for at least 2 minutes to incorporate air, resulting in a fluffier texture.
Use a stand mixer to save hands-on time and achieve consistent mixing.
Set your oven timer for the minimum recommended time and check frequently to prevent overbaking.
Cover the bars loosely with foil during baking if edges brown too quickly to ensure even cooking.

FAQs

Can I substitute regular M&M’s for Easter M&M’s?: Yes, regular M&M’s work well if you don’t have Easter colors; they provide the same chocolate flavor and texture.
What if I don’t have parchment paper?: Spray the pan generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking, but parchment is recommended for easy removal and cleaner edges.
Can I add nuts or other candies?: You can add nuts or different candies but keep the total mix-ins to 1 cup to avoid affecting the baking and texture.
How do I know when the bars are done?: A toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs but no wet batter, edges should be golden, and center still pale.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?: Yes, you can bake the bars a day in advance. Store well at room temperature or refrigerate for longer freshness.
What is the best way to cut the bars?: Allow bars to cool completely, then use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut clean squares without crumbling.
Can I use unsalted butter?: Yes, but you might want to add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness properly.