Irresistibly Chewy M&M Bars: The Ultimate Recipe for Every Celebration
Few desserts evoke the same joy and nostalgia as a batch of colorful M&M bars. They are a timeless treat, beloved by children and adults alike, perfect for potlucks, parties, or simply a sweet indulgence at home. As graduation season approaches, or any event where a splash of color is welcome, these particular M&M bars stand out from the crowd. Forget dry, crumbly, or overly cakey versions; this recipe delivers a dense, firm, yet wonderfully soft and chewy texture that will have everyone asking for more. Their vibrant M&Ms make them incredibly adaptable, allowing you to match them to school colors, holiday themes, or any special occasion, turning a simple dessert into a personalized statement.
My initial batch of these delightful bars was baked without a specific event in mind, but once they emerged from the oven, their brightly colored M&Ms immediately caught my eye. They were so vibrant, they practically screamed “celebration!” While that particular batch became a delightful family treat, I quickly realized their potential. For an upcoming fifth-grade graduation party, I’m planning to make a fresh batch, carefully selecting M&Ms in the local junior high’s colors – a charming combination of burnt orange and black. This simple trick transforms a classic bar into a truly custom creation, perfect for showing school spirit or celebrating any milestone. The versatility of these chewy M&M bars is truly one of their greatest strengths.
The Secret to Perfect M&M Bar Texture
When it comes to M&M bars, texture is paramount. Many recipes fall short, resulting in bars that are either too dry and crumbly, or too soft and cake-like. This particular recipe, however, achieves a perfect balance: dense, firm, yet incredibly soft and delightfully chewy. It’s a texture that melts in your mouth while offering a satisfying bite, making each piece a truly enjoyable experience. The success of this texture can be attributed to a thoughtful combination of ingredients and technique, ensuring a consistently delicious outcome every time you bake them.
The key to achieving this ideal texture lies in several crucial factors. Firstly, the careful measurement of flour ensures the bars aren’t too dense or too light. Just the right amount creates the structural integrity needed for a firm bar without making it dry. Secondly, the inclusion of both butter and vegetable shortening, both at room temperature, contributes significantly. Butter provides rich flavor, while shortening helps create a tender crumb and prevents the bars from spreading too much, leading to that desirable density. Thirdly, and perhaps most uniquely, a touch of sour cream is added to the batter. Sour cream introduces a subtle tang and, more importantly, moisture and richness, which are essential for keeping the bars soft and moist without making them cakey. Lastly, the mixing technique plays a role; avoiding over-beating the batter prevents too much air from being incorporated, which could lead to a lighter, more cake-like consistency rather than the desired dense chewiness. This meticulous approach to ingredients and method ensures a truly superior M&M bar.
This recipe is adapted from a version published in the Washington Post, a testament to its quality and reliability. While I’m sharing the 8-inch pan version for family-sized enjoyment, the full version is perfect for larger gatherings. If you’re looking for other M&M inspired treats, or simply crave more cookie goodness, be sure to explore some related recipes:
- Jumbo M&M Cookies
- M&M Recipe Round-Up
- M&M Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
- Peanut Butter Coconut Krispie Cookies
- Ann Romney’s Oatmeal M&M Cookies
Customizing Your M&M Bars for Any Occasion
The beauty of these M&M bars extends far beyond their delicious taste and perfect texture; their greatest asset is their incredible versatility. M&M candies come in a dazzling array of colors and seasonal mixes, allowing you to easily customize your bars to suit any holiday, event, or personal preference. This makes them a go-to dessert for any celebration, ensuring your treats are not only tasty but also perfectly themed.
For graduations, as previously mentioned, coordinating the M&M colors with school colors is an absolute showstopper. Imagine a batch baked with crimson and gold for a university graduate, or bright primary colors for a kindergarten celebration. The visual impact is immediate and delightful. Beyond graduations, think about seasonal festivities: red and green M&Ms for Christmas, pastels for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or even patriotic red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July. The possibilities are endless, making these bars a year-round favorite.
You can also use M&Ms to create a specific mood or theme. Hosting a baby shower? Use blue or pink M&Ms. Planning a birthday party with a favorite color theme? Pick M&Ms to match! This simple customization transforms a classic cookie bar into a personalized and memorable treat. It’s an easy way to add a thoughtful touch to your baking, demonstrating creativity and attention to detail without requiring advanced decorating skills. The vibrant colors not only make the bars visually appealing but also add an extra layer of fun to every bite.
Essential Tips for Baking Success
While this M&M bar recipe is straightforward, a few key tips can elevate your baking experience and ensure perfect results every time. Attention to detail in the preparation phase can make all the difference between good bars and truly outstanding ones.
Firstly, **ingredient temperature is crucial.** Ensure your butter and vegetable shortening are truly at room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly with the sugars, creating an emulsified, airy base for your batter. Cold ingredients won’t mix as smoothly, leading to a less uniform texture. Similarly, the egg and sour cream should ideally be at room temperature as well to prevent the batter from seizing when combined.
Secondly, **measure your flour accurately.** Too much flour can lead to dry, tough bars, while too little might result in them being overly soft and cakey. Using a kitchen scale (6.2 ounces for 1 cup plus 6 tablespoons) is the most precise method. If measuring by volume, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off; don’t scoop directly from the bag, as this compacts the flour and leads to over-measurement.
Thirdly, **do not overmix the batter** once the flour is added. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make your bars tough. Mix just until the flour streaks disappear, then gently fold in the M&Ms. This ensures a tender and chewy texture.
Finally, **trust your oven thermometer and the doneness cues.** Ovens can vary widely, so an oven thermometer is a baker’s best friend. The initial bake time of 22 minutes, followed by a few more minutes with foil, is designed to achieve the perfect golden-brown exterior and a still-soft, slightly jiggly center. The foil helps prevent the top from browning too much while the inside finishes baking. The bars will continue to set as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake!
Recipe
M&M Bars
Cookie Madness
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup plus 6 tablespoons 6.2 ounces all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening at room temperature
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar slightly rounded
- 1 large egg plus 2 generous tablespoons lightly beaten egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 slightly rounded tablespoon regular sour cream
- 1 cup M&Ms or M&Ms and dark chocolate chip mixed to make 1 cup.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line an 8-inch square metal pan with nonstick foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
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In a medium bowl, sift or thoroughly stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the unsalted butter and vegetable shortening. Beat with a handheld or stand mixer until the mixture is light and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add both the packed light brown sugar and the slightly rounded granulated sugar; beat on low speed until just combined, then increase to medium speed and beat for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
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In a separate small bowl, whisk together the large egg, the additional 2 generous tablespoons of lightly beaten egg, vanilla extract, and the slightly rounded tablespoon of regular sour cream until well combined. With the mixer on low speed or mixing by hand, gradually add the egg mixture to the butter-sugar batter in three parts, mixing well after each addition until just incorporated.
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Slowly stir in the dry flour mixture until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix. Finally, gently fold in the M&Ms (or M&Ms and dark chocolate chip mixture). Transfer the dough evenly to the prepared 8-inch pan, pressing it down lightly and smoothing the surface with a spatula or your hands. Bake for 22 minutes uncovered (at this point, the edges should be lightly browned, but the center might still be a little jiggly). Then, loosely lay a sheet of foil over the top of the pan to prevent further browning and bake for about 4 more minutes, or until the middle no longer jiggles and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached.
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Allow the bars to cool in the pan at room temperature for at least 1 hour. For easier cutting and to achieve the perfect firm-yet-chewy texture, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and continue cooling for another 1-2 hours, or until fully chilled. Once cooled, use the foil overhang to lift the bars from the pan, place them on a cutting board, and cut into 16 equal squares. Enjoy!
Notes
Serving and Storing Your Delicious M&M Bars
Once your M&M bars have completely cooled, the best part begins: enjoying them! For perfectly clean slices, especially if you plan to arrange them on a platter for guests, make sure they are thoroughly chilled in the refrigerator. This step is crucial for achieving crisp edges and preventing crumbling when cutting. A sharp, warm knife (run under hot water and wiped dry) can also make slicing easier.
These M&M bars are ideal for serving at room temperature, where their soft, chewy texture truly shines. Arrange them on a colorful serving tray or stack them artfully for an appealing display. They pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a warm cup of coffee, making them suitable for any time of day.
To keep your M&M bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For extended freshness, especially in warmer climates, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you’ve baked a large batch and want to enjoy them later, these bars freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars or small stacks tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving for a delicious treat anytime.
Beyond the Basics: Exciting M&M Bar Variations
While the classic M&M bar is a masterpiece on its own, this versatile recipe serves as an excellent foundation for creative variations. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different types of M&Ms or other mix-ins to discover new family favorites.
Consider swapping regular M&Ms for peanut M&Ms for a nutty crunch, or pretzel M&Ms for a salty-sweet surprise. You could also try seasonal M&Ms, like caramel or crispy varieties, for an added layer of flavor. For the ultimate chocolate lover, mix in a handful of dark chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks along with the M&Ms. Adding a half-cup of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, can also introduce a delightful texture and earthy flavor profile.
A simple way to change the flavor profile is by adding different extracts. A touch of almond extract can complement the chocolate beautifully, or a hint of peppermint extract could transform them into a festive holiday treat. Remember, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination, so feel free to personalize these delicious M&M bars to your heart’s content!
Why These M&M Bars Will Become Your New Favorite
In a world full of cookie bar recipes, these M&M bars truly distinguish themselves. From their perfectly chewy and dense texture to their vibrant, customizable appearance, they embody everything you could want in a comforting, celebratory treat. The thoughtful combination of ingredients and precise baking instructions ensures a consistently superb result, making them suitable for both novice and experienced bakers.
Whether you’re celebrating a graduation, a holiday, or simply craving a delightful homemade dessert, these M&M bars are guaranteed to be a hit. They’re easy to make, even easier to personalize, and absolutely irresistible. So, gather your ingredients, choose your favorite M&M colors, and prepare to bake a batch of what will undoubtedly become your new favorite M&M bars!