Easter Cookie Bars Recipe
Easter Cookie Bars might just steal the spotlight at your spring celebration! These dreamy, soft-baked treats come bursting with pastel candies and white chocolate chips, all nestled in a buttery, golden cookie base. They’re perfect for sharing and make dessert tables extra cheerful—easy to mix up, fun to decorate, and loved by kids and adults alike. If you’re searching for an irresistibly festive dessert, Easter Cookie Bars deliver that delightful combination of flavor, texture, and holiday magic every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about what you’ll need for these Easter Cookie Bars! Every ingredient brings something special, whether it’s melt-in-your-mouth texture or those pops of pastel color. Sticking to this lineup promises rich, chewy, bakery-style bars with a springtime twist!
- Butter, melted: Melted butter ensures ultra-moist, flavorful bars with a magical, tender crumb.
- Light brown sugar, packed: Adds a deep caramel flavor and keeps the bars soft and chewy.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps the bars bake up with just the right density.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together for structure and richness.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates all the other flavors and gives the bars that homemade aroma.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone of every good cookie bar—don’t substitute for the best texture!
- Baking soda: Lends a slight lift that keeps the bars from getting dense.
- Salt: Just enough to keep things from tasting flat and to balance the sweetness.
- Pastel-colored M&Ms or candy-coated chocolate eggs: For those iconic bursts of color, crunch, and chocolatey goodness.
- White chocolate chips: Creamy, melty pockets add visual contrast and sweetness in every bite.
- Pastel sprinkles: Top off the bars with happy, springy confetti that makes them festive and fun!
How to Make Easter Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. This trick means you can easily lift the cooled bars out all at once—no sticking, no crumbling, just perfect slices!
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a big mixing bowl, whisk your cooled, melted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. This is the secret to a glossy, thick batter and rich flavor. Once smooth, add both eggs plus the vanilla extract, whisking until everything’s fully blended.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir them together well, so the leavening and salt are evenly distributed. This step helps ensure you get an even, tender crumb in every bar.
Step 4: Combine and Fold
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring until a soft cookie dough forms. Take care not to overmix! Now gently fold in your M&Ms (or chocolate eggs), white chocolate chips, and those cheerful pastel sprinkles. Every fold adds more color and surprises.
Step 5: Spread and Bake
Scrape the dough into your lined baking pan, using a spatula to smooth the top evenly. Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the edges are golden but the center is set. A toothpick poked in the middle should come out with just a few moist crumbs—think dense, cookie-like, not cakey.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Patience pays off! Let the Easter Cookie Bars cool completely in the pan before attempting to lift them out. The cooling helps everything set for those perfect, photogenic slices. For extra-clean cuts, you can even chill the bars for a bit before using a sharp knife to slice them into 24 squares.
How to Serve Easter Cookie Bars
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra pastel candies or white chocolate chips looks gorgeous. You could also dust the bars with a pinch of powdered sugar for a delicate finish, or drizzle a bit of melted chocolate for an extra indulgent touch!
Side Dishes
Pair your Easter Cookie Bars with fruity spring treats—think fresh berries or a scoop of raspberry sorbet. They’re also perfectly at home with a cup of tea, cappuccino, or a tall glass of cold milk (for kids and grownups alike!).
Creative Ways to Present
These bars turn any dessert table into a festive display! Stack them on a tiered cake stand, wrap individually in clear cellophane for adorable party favors, or tuck a few into Easter baskets as a homemade surprise. For extra whimsy, nestle them in colorful paper muffin cups.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep Easter Cookie Bars fresh for up to 5 days! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment between to prevent sticking and to keep them soft and moist.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully. Cool them completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or stack with parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll last for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you love melty chocolate, pop a bar in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. You’ll enjoy gooey chips and a fresh-from-the-oven feel even days later!
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate chips or candies?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips, or even chopped chocolate eggs for extra flavor and crunch. Mix and match your favorite candies to make your Easter Cookie Bars unique every time.
What’s the best way to cut clean, neat bars?
Let the bars cool fully before you slice, and for the cleanest edges, chill the pan in the fridge for 20–30 minutes. Use a large sharp knife, wiping it between each cut.
Can I make these gluten-free?
You sure can! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Most folks will never guess the difference in these chewy, candy-studded bars.
What size pan can I use if I don’t have a 9×13?
A 9×9-inch square pan will work, but the bars will be thicker and need a few extra minutes in the oven. Check doneness with a toothpick and adjust as needed.
How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?
Look for golden edges and a center that’s set but still a touch soft. A toothpick in the center should have just a few moist crumbs. Overbaking dries them out, so err on the side of slightly underbaked for the best chewy texture.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re making them for a holiday party, family brunch, or just a sweet spring treat, Easter Cookie Bars are guaranteed to bring smiles. Get creative with the candies, have fun with the sprinkles, and enjoy every gooey, pastel-packed bite!
Print
Easter Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easter Cookie Bars are a delightful treat, perfect for spring gatherings or as a festive dessert. Loaded with colorful pastel candies and white chocolate, these bars are easy to make and sure to please both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pastel-colored M&Ms or candy-coated chocolate eggs
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup pastel sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang on the sides.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in the M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and slice: Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.
Notes
- You can swap in milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips, or use chopped Cadbury Mini Eggs for extra texture.
- For clean slices, chill the bars briefly before cutting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
