M&M Chocolate Cookie Cake Bars Recipe (2024)

Julie Deily · 50 Comments

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What's a cookie cake bar? It's a cake that you can hold in your hand and eat and it's a little cookie-like but more moist and softer like a cake. I'm terrible at describing this. Let's just say you'll love it, okay? I know you will!

Instead of yellow cake mix, I used devil's food cake mix and used mini M&Ms that I bought recently. It has a nice balance of chocolate and as Curtis' co-workers said not too overly sweet. And I would say, if you like a more cake-like brownie, I think you'll like this recipe.

This recipe is super easy – I know some will say it's not homemade but it was made with my hands even if it's not from scratch. Just dump all of the ingredients into the bowl except for the M&Ms and mix but don't overmix. Then, slowly fold in the M&Ms and you're almost done!

Dump it into your greased or foiled & greased 9×13 pan and using an angled spatula that's also greased, spread the batter mixture and smooth off the top.

These were so good and so easy…perfect for when you want something sweet and chocolatey but don't want to have to work so hard!

Recipe

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M&M Chocolate Cookie Cake Bars Recipe

Servings 15 -18 bars

Ingredients

▢ 1 box Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake Mix, no pudding
▢ 2 large eggs, beaten
▢ 1/2 cup vegetable oil
▢ 2 Tablespoons water
▢ 3/4 cup mini M&Ms, candy coated chocolate candies

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Take a 9x13 pan, cover with foil and spray the foil with Baker's Joy or other baking non-stick spray.
Mix cake mix and wet ingredients just until combined (be careful not to over mix). Add swirled chips and mix until just combined (be careful not to over mix).
Pour batter into the pan and smooth out with an angled spatula that has been sprayed with Baker's Joy.
Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out (almost) clean.
Allow the pan to cool on a cooling rack for at least 10-15 minutes before cutting.

Notes

Slightly modified from theseCookie Cake Bars

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Welcome to The Little Kitchen! I'm Julie and I love to cook, bake, eat and share (not necessarily in that order). I share easy recipes, stories about my family (which includes my pets) and my travels. And I actually do have a little kitchen.

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Comments

Rate & Comment

Chocolate, M&M's and everything nice says
March 2, 2013 at 10:44 am

Hi Julie, I’ve baked this lovely cookie cake bars with my six years old yesterday, and we had so much fun! Making them was great, and eating them was even better. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Reply
Linda P says
October 18, 2012 at 9:08 pm

Theses are fantastic!!! I used Red Velvet Cake Mix…OMG. These will be my new go-to recipe. Thanks
Reply
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife says
October 4, 2012 at 4:31 pm

looks like brownie and cookie cake all in one!! oh yum!
Reply
Karen of 3G2S says
September 30, 2012 at 7:34 pm
See Also
Deep Fried Oreos Recipe for a Fun and Easy Dessert - Recipes.net Candy Corn Fudge Recipe No-Bake Christmas Tree Cookies - The Recipe Rebel "Grab-worthy" granola bars! New recipe!

Oh boy, do those look good!!! I bet they would be an awesome dessert for the holidays with red and green M&Ms! 😀
Reply
Shop with Me Mama says
September 30, 2012 at 6:19 pm

Oh those look and sound just delicious!!
Reply
Jay @craftyspices says
September 30, 2012 at 5:55 pm

Julie, these look so great, and seem very simple to make.
We will be trying these cookie cake sometime, hopefully very soon.
Much Thanks from http://www.craftyspices.com
:0 🙂
Reply
Kerry | Yum and Yummer says
September 28, 2012 at 4:52 pm

I can’t make stuff like this…I mean, I can, but I can’t keep stuff like this. I become brain dead when chocolate is anywhere nearby and before I know it I’ve eaten 14 brownies and my heart suddenly starts working overtime because my blood is now chocolate. True story.
Reply
Parsley Sage says
September 28, 2012 at 10:16 am

You’re totally right. I WOULD love this. Awesome photos too, darling! I can practically smell the chocolately-cakey-cookiey goodness 🙂
Reply
Kathleen says
September 26, 2012 at 9:34 pm

These look so good and I know my boys would love them!
Reply
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
September 25, 2012 at 11:48 pm

Oh my yumminess! I’ve been debating what to make for my daughter’s Halloween party and this might be it!
Reply
hairstyles for girls says
September 25, 2012 at 1:35 pm

These look sooooo good. They would be gone in less than 5 minutes at my house!
Reply
HilLesha says
September 25, 2012 at 1:00 pm

Yummy!
Reply
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
September 25, 2012 at 12:56 pm

Good gosh, I need those in my belly right now!
Reply
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
September 24, 2012 at 4:13 pm

My mouth is watering–these look so delicious! And so fun too! 😀
Reply
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
September 24, 2012 at 3:03 pm

These are so perfect for late night cravings! And they fulfill most cravings. At least mine, anyway. Love the M&Ms in these!
Reply
Cookin' Canuck says
September 24, 2012 at 2:43 pm

Whatever you call them, I love the look and sound of these little treats! My kids would think they were in heaven if they opened up their lunch boxes and found these inside.
Reply
Sydney @ Crepes of Wrath says
September 24, 2012 at 1:05 pm

I love mini m&ms – they are so cute! Not to mention fun to eat. These bars look deeeelicious.
Reply
Carlas Confections says
September 24, 2012 at 1:04 pm

LOVE how easy they are, and they perfectly *homemade* to me 🙂 So delish looking!
Reply
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
See Also
Lemon Crinkle Cookie Recipe - Cooking With Karli
September 24, 2012 at 12:03 pm

Oh Julie, I think you did a very convincing job of describing thee. I’m SOLD!
Reply
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
September 24, 2012 at 10:22 am

I totally need a pan of these gooey bars! Love using cake mix (I’d like to think I’m the queen, after all ;)) but it really makes things easy. And the mini M&M’s are such a fun little addition!
Reply
Tasha @ ThatsSoYummy says
September 24, 2012 at 6:28 am

Drool worthy pics Julie, just give me the batter with m&m’s and I would be a happy gal! 🙂
Reply
Laura (Got Chocolate) says
September 24, 2012 at 1:12 am

I LOOOVE recipes that aren’t from scratch. Saves me tons of precious time. Bookmarking! Mmmm, CHOCOLATE!!! 😀
Reply
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
September 23, 2012 at 10:28 pm

my kids and i are making these this week!
Reply
Julie @ Table for Two says
September 23, 2012 at 9:35 pm

wow, Julie! these look SO good and i love how moist they look too. super fudgey and full of chocolate – my favorite kinda bars 😉
Reply
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
September 23, 2012 at 9:23 pm

My daughter went nuts over yogurt w/ M&M’s – I’m sure she’d be running around with joy if I made this. Love that this uses a cake mix for a consistency different than brownies!
Reply
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
September 23, 2012 at 12:08 am

Sometimes dumping is okay, just like with these amazing squares of happiness. I actually have a red velvet cake mix in the cupboard screaming to be used!
Reply
marla says
September 23, 2012 at 12:06 am

Hi Julie! LOVE these chocolate cookies cake bars. It will be great to see you this Monday in Idaho 🙂
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Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
September 22, 2012 at 4:21 pm

My girls would love these! Personally the M & M’s are what seal the deal for me!
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Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
September 22, 2012 at 2:59 pm

I love these!!! Too adorable with those mini M&Ms! 🙂
Reply
shelly (cookies and cups) says
September 22, 2012 at 10:40 am

cookie, cake brownie…whatever you want to call them, I’m all over these!
Reply
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
September 22, 2012 at 9:43 am

Mini M&Ms are the cutest! And I love these bars!
Reply
Rachel says
September 21, 2012 at 9:48 pm

Nothing wrong with a simple and quick dessert! I love using cake mixes for things like this. And your cake plate is adorable!
I may make these tomorrow for our tailgate.
Reply
Linda says
September 21, 2012 at 9:28 pm

Good idea! It’s semi-homemade baking party, esp. after long day at work. Yum!!!
Reply
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
September 21, 2012 at 5:08 pm

I love the portability of this! Although having a huge cake wouldn’t stop me from its portability – sad I know. I’m seeing some food blogger friends tomorrow so maybe I’ll surprise them with this amazingness!
Reply
Paula - bell'alimento says
September 21, 2012 at 5:08 pm

I’m kind of addicted to m&m’s, and chocolate, and cookies so this is pretty much the perfect recipe for me ; ) xoxo
Reply
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet says
September 21, 2012 at 4:10 pm

LOVE this Julie. Drool!
Reply
Suzanne says
September 21, 2012 at 4:03 pm

Tyler would love these – he is an M&M fiend!
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Lori says
September 21, 2012 at 2:13 pm

Oohh those look yummy!!
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katie says
September 21, 2012 at 1:50 pm

Yes please… I’ll be right over so we can share this pan of cookie cake bars! 😉
Reply
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
September 21, 2012 at 1:14 pm

Love the ease (and the chocolate factor!) of these bars!
Reply
Kelly Senyei says
September 21, 2012 at 12:51 pm

Simple, sweet, amazing! Your photos always knock my socks off 🙂 Hugs to you and the puppy!
Reply
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
September 21, 2012 at 12:15 pm

Cookie bars with M&Ms?! Sign me up!
Reply
Cassie says
September 21, 2012 at 11:11 am

I love cookie bars – and I definitely need some chocolate cookie bars in my life. Love these!
Reply
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
September 21, 2012 at 9:41 am

Super pretty! I love using cake mix. It makes life SO much easier. And, well, M&Ms make everything better. 😉
Reply
- Julie Deily says
  October 2, 2012 at 1:49 pm
  
  I totally agree with you about M&Ms!!
  Reply
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
September 21, 2012 at 9:16 am

It is bad I totally want one of these for breakfast…..
Reply
amy @ fearless homemaker says
September 21, 2012 at 8:31 am

These look fantastic, Julie!
Reply
Rachel Cooks says
September 21, 2012 at 8:17 am

Love the simplicity—and the chocolate-ness of these! 🙂 YUM!
Reply

M&M Chocolate Cookie Cake Bars Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are M&M cookies made of? ›

Recipe overview

The brown sugar will impart moisture, sweetness, and chew. Add egg and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in M&M's and chocolate chips.

Know More ›

Can you eat M&M cookie dough? ›

And don't worry, it's completely safe to eat! Indulge in the delicious and fun treat of Edible M&M Cookie Dough! Mix and match the colors of the M&Ms to match different holidays and celebrations for a versatile and festive dessert.

Read On ›

Can you use regular M&Ms for baking? ›

Yes you can use regular or mini baking m&m's.

How to crush M&Ms? ›

If you don't have a knife or food processor, you can try using the “roll and crush” method. Place the M&Ms in a sturdy plastic bag, seal it, and use a rolling pin or heavy object to roll over the bag, crushing the M&Ms. This method allows you to control the desired texture of the chopped M&Ms.

Find Out More ›

What are the three main ingredients in M&Ms? ›

MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, SKIM MILK, COCOA BUTTER, LACTOSE, MILKFAT, PEANUTS, SOY LECITHIN, SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR), PEANUTS, SUGAR, CORNSTARCH; LESS THAN 1% OF: PALM OIL, CORN SYRUP, DEXTRIN, COLORS (INCLUDES RED 40, YELLOW 6, YELLOW 5, BLUE 1, RED 40 LAKE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, YELLOW 5 LAKE, BLUE 1 LAKE, BLUE 2 LAKE, ...

See Details ›

Why do my M&M cookies come out flat? ›

The Problem: Your Oven Is Too Hot

If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure.

Read On ›

Is it OK to eat cookie mix? ›

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has offered the following safety tips when preparing cookies, pies, cakes and other foods containing flour: Don't eat uncooked dough, batter or other foods containing raw flour. Be sure children don't eat or taste dough used in crafts.

Read The Full Story ›

Can you eat expired cookie dough? ›

If you store it in your fridge, you can usually expect this cookie dough to last about 1 to 2 weeks past the “best by” date. In your freezer, frozen raw cookie dough can actually last 9 to 12 months, giving you plenty of time to use it before it goes bad.

Discover More ›

Is frozen cookie dough edible? ›

Prepare cookie dough as indicated in your recipe, including any refrigerator chilling time. Wrap logs tightly in plastic wrap and then place in an airtight container or Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and baking according to recipe instructions.

Show Me More ›

Why did my M&M's melt in my cookies? ›

M&Ms are made with a hard candy shell that protects the chocolate in the center from melting. However, during baking the candy shell might slightly crack from the heat or become more incorporated into the dough. Don't worry, they still taste just as delicious!

Keep Reading ›

Why do M&Ms turn white? ›

What does it mean when chocolate turns white? Discoloration of chocolate happens for two reasons: fat bloom or sugar bloom. Fat bloom occurs when liquid fat moves through the chocolate and then crystalizes on the surface. It's usually caused by a quick change in temperature.

Get More Info Here ›

Can I melt M&Ms? ›

Microwave them for 30 seconds then enjoy the melted magic!

Is it OK to microwave M&Ms? ›

"Don't leave the M&M's in the microwave for longer than 10-15 seconds," said Contreras. "If left in longer, the chocolate will burn and seize making it hard and not able to remelt." But that's not the only potential risk. "If the M&M's get too hot, those enjoying them can burn their mouths," she added.

Tell Me More ›

Why do M&Ms burn my throat? ›

The burning sensation you get when consuming chocolate is likely the result of a group of chemicals known as methylxanthine compounds. These compounds, which feature caffeine and theobromine, can be irritating to your throat after consuming chocolate.

Discover More Details ›

Why do M&Ms melt in your hand? ›

However, most commercially manufactured chocolate has a melting point between 16-‐37 °C — all slightly below that of body temperature (37 °C). It can therefore be stated that ALL chocolates will melt when put in the mouth and the MAJORITY will melt when held in the hand.