There’s something truly magical about celebrating spring with a batch of Easter Cookie Bars. Imagine blonde, buttery dessert bars loaded up with pastel M&Ms, creamy white chocolate, and cheerful sprinkles — these bars are every bit as festive as they are delicious. Whether you’re hosting brunch, prepping treats for a classroom party, or just indulging in some well-deserved sweetness with family, Easter Cookie Bars are guaranteed to bring smiles to dessert plates (and to anyone who tastes them!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about this recipe is how the simplest pantry staples come together for a colorful, festive treat. Each ingredient plays an important part in creating that signature chew, golden color, and sweet crunch for these Easter Cookie Bars. Let’s take a peek at the essentials:
- Unsalted butter, melted: Imparts rich flavor and ensures your bars are perfectly moist and soft.
- Brown sugar, packed: Adds a caramel note and chewiness — don’t skimp on packing it tightly!
- Large egg: Binds the dough and adds tenderness to every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warm, comforting aroma that ties all the flavors together.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone for the bars, creating a classic cookie texture.
- Baking powder: Lends just enough lift so your bars aren’t dense.
- Salt: A pinch sharpens the sweetness and balances each flavor layer.
- Pastel M&M’s or mini eggs: These provide pops of color and irresistible chocolate crunch — perfect for Easter vibes!
- White chocolate chips: Drizzles of creamy sweetness that pair beautifully with the brown sugar base.
- Sprinkles (optional): Just for fun! They add a burst of color and crunch if you want to go all-in on the festive front.
How to Make Easter Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over the sides. This makes it a breeze to lift the bars out for neat slicing later — no wrestling with sticky treats in the pan!
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. This creates the melt-in-your-mouth base for your Easter Cookie Bars. Next, stir in the egg and vanilla extract until everything looks glossy and combined. The kitchen will already smell amazing at this point!
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Add the flour, baking powder, and salt directly to your wet mixture. Gently fold everything together with a spatula or wooden spoon. Stop as soon as you don’t see any more dry streaks; overmixing is a no-go for chewy bars.
Step 4: Fold in Mix-Ins
Now comes the truly fun part: Go in with the pastel M&Ms (or mini eggs), white chocolate chips, and, if you’re feeling festive, a scoop of colorful sprinkles. Give everything a gentle stir so the candies are spread throughout the dough.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Spread the cookie dough evenly into your prepared baking pan — the mixture will be thick, so press it gently with a spatula. For maximum cuteness, sprinkle a few extra candies on top. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the top looks set and lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are perfect).
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Patience is key! Let your Easter Cookie Bars cool completely in the pan. This helps them firm up and slice beautifully. Once cool, lift them out using the parchment “handles” and cut into sixteen squares. Try not to sneak too many nibbles while you’re at it!
How to Serve Easter Cookie Bars
Garnishes
A little garnish can turn Easter Cookie Bars into a showstopper. A drizzle of melted white chocolate, an extra flourish of pastel sprinkles, or even a pinch of flaky sea salt takes each square from simple to bakery-level fancy. Let kids (or enthusiastic adults!) help decorate for even more holiday fun.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookie bars with a tall glass of cold milk, a steamy cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy spring dessert platter. If you’re hosting a brunch, add them to a sweets tray with fresh berries and lemon bars for a colorful spread guaranteed to delight guests of all ages.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, wrap each bar in parchment and tie with ribbon for individual Easter basket treats. Stack the bars in a pastel tin lined with tissue for hostess gifts, or set them inside festive muffin liners for party-ready grab-and-go moments. You can even cut them into fun shapes with cookie cutters if you want to wow the crowd!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Easter Cookie Bars keep beautifully for several days at room temperature. Simply store them in an airtight container — I like to layer parchment between them to keep everything soft and fresh. It’s the perfect make-ahead treat for busy spring gatherings.
Freezing
To freeze the bars, wait until they’re completely cool before sealing them in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature whenever the cookie bar craving strikes (or for those last-minute Easter guests!).
Reheating
If you want to refresh your Easter Cookie Bars, pop individual squares in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. This brings back that just-baked gooey-ness, especially if you love melted chocolate in your treats.
FAQs
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Just bake the doubled batter in a 9×13-inch pan and add a minute or two to the baking time. Keep an eye out for the golden top and toothpick test.
Are there substitutions for the candies?
Yes! Swap out pastel M&M’s for chopped Easter chocolate, mini chocolate chips, or even other colorful candies to match any occasion, not just Easter. The bars are wildly customizable.
How do I make these gluten-free?
Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Be sure the candies you choose are gluten-free, too, for a safe, delicious spring treat.
Can I make Easter Cookie Bars ahead of time?
Definitely. These bars stay soft and chewy for several days, making them a wonderful make-ahead option for parties. You can even freeze the baked bars for longer storage.
Why do I need to let the bars cool completely?
Cooling lets the bars set up, so they slice into neat, sturdy squares instead of falling apart. It’s worth the wait for picture-perfect pieces!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Easter Cookie Bars enough for welcoming spring and sharing sweet moments with the people you love. Festive, adaptable, and incredibly delicious, they’re sure to be the star of your dessert table. Give them a try and watch them disappear faster than you can say “Happy Easter!”
Print
Easter Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delightful Easter Cookie Bars, a perfect treat for the season. These soft and chewy bars are loaded with pastel M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and colorful sprinkles, making them a festive addition to any dessert table.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup pastel M&M’s or mini eggs
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix butter and sugar: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg and vanilla until fully combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing just until no dry streaks remain. Fold in M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- Spread and bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan and press more candies on top if desired. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and cut: Cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Substitute mini chocolate chips or chopped Easter candy if desired.
- Bars will stay soft and chewy for several days stored in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
