Colorful, Crunchy No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars Recipe

Chocolate chips and colorful M&M candies create a delightful twist in this no-bake cookie dough bars recipe that will satisfy your sweetest cravings.

Soft, creamy, and packed with irresistible texture, these bars promise pure indulgence without turning on the oven.

The cookie dough comes together in minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch that melts in your mouth.

No complicated techniques or baking skills required for this easy dessert.

Let’s treat yourself to a delectable snack that combines childhood nostalgia with grown-up flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 16

No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Crucial step to eliminate harmful bacteria, ensuring safe raw cookie dough consumption.

• Unsalted Butter, Cream Cheese: Provide creamy, rich foundation with smooth texture and tangy undertone.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create balanced sweetness with caramel-like depth and smooth mouthfeel.

• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredients' flavors.

• M&M Candies: Add colorful, crunchy bursts of chocolate and playful visual appeal.

• Powdered Sugar: Helps stabilize and thicken the cookie dough mixture.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Introduce extra chocolate pockets and delightful crunch.

• Cornstarch: Helps absorb moisture and provides structure to prevent crumbling.

Tools for Making No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars

• 9×9 inch baking pan: Essential for shaping and chilling the cookie dough bars.
• Parchment paper: Helps easily remove bars from pan and prevents sticking.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients and mixing cookie dough.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for stirring and blending ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking sheet: Used for heating flour to make it safe for raw consumption.
• Optional food thermometer: Helps check flour temperature for safety.

Instructions for Assembling M&M Cookie Dough Bars

• Prep the Flour Shield

Heat flour in the oven or microwave to eliminate any potential bacteria. Spread it evenly and warm until it reaches a safe temperature, then let it cool completely.

• Create Dough Base

Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth and creamy. Blend in vanilla extract and milk, stirring until the mixture becomes uniform and silky.

• Fold in Dry Ingredients

Gently incorporate flour, salt, and a pinch of magic into the wet mixture. Stir carefully to prevent clumping and ensure a velvety texture throughout.

• Add Colorful Bursts

Sprinkle M&M candies into the dough, mixing gently to distribute the colorful gems evenly. Save a handful for topping to create visual excitement.

• Press and Shape

Transfer the dough into a lined pan, using gentle pressure to create an even layer. Smooth the surface with a spatula for a professional finish.

• Chill and Set

Place the pan in the refrigerator for about an hour. This helps the bars firm up and intensifies the delicious flavors.

• Cut and Serve

Remove from the refrigerator and slice into perfect squares. Top with reserved M&M candies for an extra pop of color and crunch.

Add-Ins and Tips for Cookie Dough Bar Variety

• Heat-Treated Flour Safety: Always heat-treat flour to eliminate potential bacteria, ensuring safe consumption of raw cookie dough.
• Freezing Magic: Chill bars for at least 2 hours before cutting to achieve clean, crisp edges and firm texture that holds together perfectly.
• Texture Tweak: For extra creamy bars, let cream cheese soften at room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free consistency.
• Dairy-Free Swap: Replace cream cheese with coconut cream or cashew cream to make the recipe suitable for dairy-sensitive individuals while maintaining rich, creamy texture.
• M&M Creativity: Experiment with different candy-coated chocolates like Reese's Pieces or seasonal M&M varieties to personalize the bars and add unique flavor profiles.

Fun Ways to Serve M&M Cookie Dough Bars

• Colorful Party Platter: Arrange these no-bake bars on a festive serving tray with additional M&Ms scattered around for extra pop and color excitement.
• Sweet Companion Pairings: Serve alongside cold milk, creamy vanilla ice cream, or rich chocolate milkshake to complement the cookie dough's sweet flavor profile.
• Gifting Delight Presentation: Package bars individually in clear treat bags tied with colorful ribbons, perfect for school bake sales, birthday parties, or casual gatherings with friends.
• Dessert Table Star: Create a stunning dessert display by varying bar sizes, stacking them in a playful pyramid, and adding chocolate drizzle or sprinkled M&Ms for visual appeal.

Storing Cookie Dough Bars Without the Mess

• Refrigeration Tactics: Store bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing potential bacterial growth.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a sealed freezer bag. These treats can remain frozen for 2-3 months without losing their delightful texture and flavor.
• Portion Control Method: Cut bars into uniform squares before storing, making it easier to grab a quick snack and prevent unnecessary handling that might compromise their quality.
• Temperature Awareness: Always keep these cookie dough bars chilled, as room temperature can cause them to soften and lose their structured shape, potentially impacting their delicious consistency.

Crunchy No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

M&M cookie dough bars offer a delightful no-bake dessert perfect for casual gatherings. Sweet chocolate chips and colorful candies create a playful treat you’ll love to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour (heat-treated)
• ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup (113 g/1 stick) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup (85 g) mini chocolate chips
• ¾ cup (120 g) M&Ms
• ¼ cup (40 g) M&Ms (for garnish)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 mL/2 fl oz) milk (or heavy cream)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp coconut oil or butter

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Instructions

1. Flour Preparation: Spread flour on a baking sheet and toast in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, eliminating potential bacteria, then allow to cool completely to room temperature.
2. Pan Setup: Line a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring excess hangs over sides for effortless removal.
3. Dough Mixing: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, then blend in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
4. Flour Integration: Fold cooled, sanitized flour into the butter mixture, stirring until a consistent dough texture emerges.
5. Candy Incorporation: Gently mix chocolate chips throughout the dough, then delicately press M&M candies across the surface, distributing them evenly.
6. Chilling Process: Transfer dough to prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours until completely set.
7. Serving Preparation: Remove chilled dough from pan using parchment paper overhang, slice into uniform bars, and store in refrigerator until serving time.

Notes

• Sanitize Flour Safely: Toast flour in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating and eliminate potential bacteria without burning.
• Achieve Creamy Texture: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature but not melted, allowing for smooth blending with sugars and creating a light, fluffy base for the cookie dough.
• Perfect Cutting Technique: Use a sharp, clean knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts to create clean, precise bars without crumbling or sticking.
• Storage and Dietary Modifications: Keep bars refrigerated for up to 5 days in an airtight container. For gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with heat-treated almond flour or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same toasting process for safety.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 265
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg