If you’re looking for a delightful treat to bring some springtime joy to your dessert table, this Easter Cookie Bars Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine a chewy, buttery base flecked with colorful pastel M&Ms, creamy white chocolate chips, and festive sprinkles that make every bite feel like a celebration. These bars are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or just a sweet way to brighten your day with a classic Easter-inspired twist. Trust me, once you try these vibrant and delicious cookie bars, they’ll become a fast favorite in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple pantry staples, but each plays a vital role in crafting the perfect texture and flavor in your Easter Cookie Bars Recipe. From the rich butter to the colorful candies, every element contributes something special to this crowd-pleaser.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds the necessary richness and moisture for a tender crumb.
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed): Brings a deep caramel flavor and helps keep the bars chewy.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and supports the perfect golden crust.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together while adding moisture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and adds warmth.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Builds the structure of the bars for a sturdy yet soft bite.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the bars rise slightly and maintain a soft texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances flavors and intensifies sweetness.
- 1 cup pastel M&M candies: Brings eye-catching Easter colors and a slight crunch.
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips: Adds creamy bursts of sweetness throughout the bars.
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (pastel-colored): Provides festive fun and extra texture.
How to Make Easter Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease the parchment to ensure your cookie bars come out effortlessly. This setup is important because it helps with even baking and easy cleanup later on.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creaming process incorporates air which makes the cookie bars delightfully soft and tender.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. These wet ingredients bring moisture and that unmistakable homemade cookie aroma.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt, both essential for perfect rise and flavor balance.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can produce tough cookie bars, so it’s best to stop as soon as the flour disappears.
Step 6: Fold in Candies and Sprinkles
Gently fold in the pastel M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and pastel-colored sprinkles. These add pops of color, sweetness, and a fun festive flair to the bars that are truly eye-catching.
Step 7: Bake the Bars
Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
How to Serve Easter Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra pastel M&Ms or colorful sprinkles on top of each bar just before serving to add a fresh burst of color and make them look irresistible. A dusting of powdered sugar can also lend a delicate, snowy touch perfect for spring occasions.
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet bars with a light cup of tea or a refreshing glass of milk to balance the richness. For an Easter brunch spread, they complement fruit salads or a creamy yogurt parfait beautifully, making the dessert an enjoyable finale.
Creative Ways to Present
For an extra special touch, cut the bars into fun shapes using cookie cutters after baking, or layer them in a clear glass trifle dish with whipped cream and pastel candies for a stunning spring dessert centerpiece that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your leftover Easter Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to five days, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for busy holiday weeks.
Freezing
If you want to keep these bars even longer, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying to preserve their texture and flavor.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked warmth, pop individual bars in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This lets the chocolate chips soften deliciously, creating a cozy, just-out-of-the-oven experience every time.
FAQs
Can I use regular M&M candies instead of pastel ones?
Absolutely! While pastel M&Ms give the Easter Cookie Bars Recipe its festive look, regular M&Ms work perfectly well for taste and texture. Your bars will just have a different color vibe.
Can I substitute white chocolate chips with another type of chocolate?
Yes, feel free to swap the white chocolate chips for semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips according to your preference. Each type will add a unique flavor dimension to your bars.
Are these bars suitable for vegetarians?
Definitely. All ingredients in this Easter Cookie Bars Recipe are vegetarian-friendly, making these bars a fantastic dessert option for most dietary preferences.
How do I make sure the bars stay soft and chewy?
Don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour and avoid overbaking. Pull the bars out as soon as a toothpick comes out clean to keep them perfectly soft and chewy.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. This swap generally works well, though texture may be slightly different.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about these Easter Cookie Bars Recipe that makes every bite feel like a celebration of spring. They’re simple to make yet deliver such joyful flavors and colors that they’re sure to be loved by kids and adults alike. So gather your ingredients, invite your favorite people over, and enjoy the sweet goodness of these festive bars that perfectly capture the spirit of Easter and holiday baking fun!
Print
Easter Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these festive Easter Cookie Bars, bursting with pastel M&M candies, white chocolate chips, and colorful sprinkles. Perfectly soft and chewy, these bars are an ideal spring dessert to share with family and friends during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-Ins
- 1 cup pastel M&M candies
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (pastel-colored)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which adds airiness to the cookie bars.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate them fully, followed by the addition of the vanilla extract, which enhances the flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt, ensuring the baking soda is evenly distributed for proper leavening.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Fold in Candy and Sprinkles: Gently fold in the pastel M&M candies, white chocolate chips, and pastel-colored sprinkles to evenly distribute festive flavors throughout the dough.
- Spread and Smooth Dough: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Bake for 25 to 28 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, signaling that the bars are fully baked.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 24 bars to ensure clean slices and maintain texture.
Notes
- Use pastel-colored candy and sprinkles to give these bars a festive Easter look.
- You can substitute the white chocolate chips with semi-sweet or milk chocolate if preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep bars fresh.
