I’ve always loved cookies, especially cookies filled with peanut butter and chocolate. But, sometimes cookies need to get out of the way, and let these Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Bars have some of the spotlight. While the ingredients are pretty much the same, the experience is quite different. I’ve found you get a denser texture with cookie bars and they stay moist longer. The best part though is that you can slice them as big as you want. This recipe nets 16 generously sized peanut butter cookie bars.
Now, the first thing I want to address is that this recipe is that I’m using peanut butter M&Ms. Not peanut M&Ms. Not regular M&Ms. The texture, sweetness, and crunch is so unique to the peanut butter M&Ms that I don’t think you can swap them and get an equally delicious result. As for the peanut butter, you want to find a peanut butter where the ingredient list reads “peanuts” and that’s it. The M&Ms are already so sweet that any additional sweetener in the peanut butter is going to make things TOO sweet. Like all things in life, we want balance.
Once you get the dough pressed into the baking dish, grab any extra peanut butter M&Ms you have and press them into the top. This will ensure at least one or two satisfyingly crunchy M&Ms in every bite. Plus the visible M&Ms on top look nice and add a pop of color.
While the bars cool, set up a double boiler. Melt the chocolate and drizzle over cooled cookie bars. I’d use milk chocolate but you can definitely use whatever you have or like. The more chocolate the better!
I’ll be honest, when I developed these peanut butter cookie bars, I was almost surprised with how simple it was. It’s one of those recipes that doesn’t need to be overcomplicated or fussy to be extraordinarily delicious. For me, there’s a sense of nostalgia associated with both cookie bars and M&Ms. If you do try these Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Bars, I’d love for you post a photo and tag me on Instagram, @LakeShoreBakes or #LakeshoreBakes so I can see your delicious creations. And be sure to leave a comment, I’ll always respond! Happy baking!
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Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Bars with Chocolate Drizzle
- Total Time: 40
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
These peanut butter M&M cookie bars are so delicious and so easy to make. With a satisfying M&M crunch in every bite, they won’t last long.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups peanut butter m&m’s plus 1/4 cup to press into dough before baking
- 1/2 cup chocolate (melted for drizzling on top)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Add softened butter to stand mixer, or large bowl if using a hand mixer. Beat for two-three minutes until fluffy. Add white and brown sugar and beat for an additional two minutes.
- While mixing, add in eggs one at a time. Add the peanut butter and vanilla, beat until fully combined,
- Add in baking soda, mix. Add flour one cup at a time and mix until incorporated. Do not over mix.
- On low speed or using a spatula, add the M&M’s and mix until just combined.
- Press the dough into the prepared pan and press the remaining 1/4 cup of M&M’s into the top of the dough. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool. They will come out softer but will continue to set in the pan. Melt chocolate in a microwave or double boiler and drizzle over cooled bars. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25