Colorful No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars Recipe for Kids

Dessert enthusiasts adore this no-bake m&m cookie dough bars recipe that delivers pure indulgence without turning on the oven.

Creamy, sweet, and loaded with colorful candy pieces, these bars capture childhood nostalgia in every delectable bite.

Chocolate chips mingle with vibrant m&ms, creating a texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Crafted with simple ingredients, this treat comes together in minutes and requires zero baking skills.

The smooth, rich base provides the perfect canvas for those signature candy crunch moments.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, these bars promise to become your new go-to dessert for any occasion.

Grab a glass of cold milk and prepare to experience dessert magic that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything You Need For No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Heat-treating eliminates harmful bacteria, ensuring safe raw dough consumption.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates creamy texture and rich flavor foundation for cookie dough.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve soft, chewy consistency.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredient flavors.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful chocolate pockets throughout the dough.
• M&Ms: Brings colorful visual appeal and satisfying candy crunch.

• Chocolate Chips: Creates smooth, glossy coating for the bars.
• Coconut Oil: Helps chocolate melt evenly and provides silky finishing layer.

Kitchen Gear For No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Hand mixer or stand mixer: Creates creamy, well-blended butter and sugar mixture.
• Baking sheet: Used for heat-treating flour safely.
• 8×8-inch baking pan: Ideal for pressing and setting cookie dough bars.
• Parchment paper: Essential for easy removal and clean cutting.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Helps melt chocolate chips quickly and evenly.
• Rubber spatula: Great for folding chips and spreading dough.
• Sharp knife: Ensures clean, precise bar cuts.

Steps To Whip Up No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars

• Warm Up the Flour

Blast flour in the oven or microwave to make it safe for munching. Spread it out and heat until it hits 165F, then let it cool down completely.

• Create Delicious Dough

Cream together butter and sugars until they’re super smooth. Pour in milk and vanilla, mixing until everything looks dreamy. Gently fold in the cooled flour, stirring until a perfect dough forms. Toss in chocolate chips and colorful M&Ms for extra excitement.

• Shape Your Treat

Grab a baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Spread the cookie dough evenly, pressing it down with love and care.

• Add Chocolate Magic

Melt chocolate chips with a touch of coconut oil in quick microwave bursts. Drizzle the silky chocolate all over the dough, making sure it covers every inch. Sprinkle some extra M&Ms on top for a playful pop of color.

• Chill and Enjoy

Pop the pan in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours until the bars are firm and fabulous. Slice into delectable squares and dive into your no-bake cookie dough adventure!

Smart Tips For No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars

• Smart Flour Safety: Heat-treating flour eliminates potential bacteria risks, ensuring a safe no-bake treat for everyone enjoying this delightful dessert.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these bars up to 5 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for convenient grab-and-go snacking.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with certified gluten-free flour blend to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities while maintaining the same delicious texture.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different chocolate chips like white chocolate, dark chocolate, or butterscotch to create unique flavor combinations that suit personal preferences.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Replace butter with dairy-free margarine and use dairy-free milk alternatives like almond or oat milk to transform this recipe into a vegan-friendly dessert.

Fun Ways To Serve No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars

• Sweet Party Platter: Arrange bars on a colorful ceramic plate with extra M&Ms scattered around, creating a festive dessert display perfect for birthday celebrations or movie nights.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve alongside hot cocoa or cold milk, allowing the chocolate-packed bars to complement your favorite beverage with delightful sweetness.
• Kids' Dessert Adventure: Cut bars into fun triangle or bite-sized pieces, making them easier for children to enjoy and share during playdates or family gatherings.
• Gifting Treat: Package bars individually in clear cellophane with a cute ribbon, transforming them into adorable homemade gifts for friends, teachers, or neighbors.

Storing No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars Made Simple

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Refrigerate bars immediately after topping with chocolate to help them set faster and maintain perfect texture.
• Fridge Storage Method: Keep bars in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing flavor absorption.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator for 2-3 hours before enjoying.
• Portion Control Tip: Cut bars into smaller bite-sized pieces for easy snacking and to prevent overindulgence. These smaller portions are perfect for kids' lunch boxes or quick treats.

Dreamy No-Bake M&M Cookie Dough Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delightful no-bake M&M cookie dough bars merge childhood nostalgia with sweet indulgence. Quick preparation and minimal ingredients make these treats an irresistible dessert for chocolate and cookie lovers alike.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour (heat-treated)
• ½ cup (1 stick or 113 g) unsalted butter (softened)
• ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar (packed)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup (85 g) mini chocolate chips
• ¾ cup (100 g) M&M candies
• ¼ cup (35 g) M&Ms (for garnish)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk (or heavy cream)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil (or butter)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Flour Preparation: Sanitize flour by oven-roasting at 350F for 5 minutes or microwaving in short bursts to eliminate potential bacteria.
2. Sugar Mixture: Cream softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until achieving a silky, uniform consistency, then incorporate milk and vanilla extract to create a smooth, fragrant liquid.
3. Dough Formation: Blend heat-sanitized flour and salt into the liquid mixture, stirring carefully until a cohesive dough emerges, then gently fold in mini chocolate chips and colorful M&Ms for maximum flavor distribution.
4. Pan Preparation: Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage and slight overhang, then transfer the dough into the pan and use gentle pressure to create a compact, uniform layer reaching all corners.
5. Chocolate Topping: Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in short microwave intervals, stirring between each session to prevent scorching, then pour the glossy chocolate over the cookie dough base, spreading evenly with a spatula.
6. Decoration and Chilling: Garnish the chocolate surface with additional M&Ms, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow layers to set completely and develop a firm, sliceable texture.
7. Serving: Remove from refrigerator, lift from pan using parchment edges, and slice into 12-16 delectable bars ready for enjoyment.

Notes

• Sanitize Flour Safely: Heat-treat flour in oven or microwave to eliminate harmful bacteria, preventing potential foodborne illness risks.
• Achieve Creamy Consistency: Cream butter and sugars thoroughly until light and fluffy, ensuring smooth texture and even sugar distribution.
• Fold Mix-Ins Gently: Add chocolate chips and M&Ms with soft folding technique to maintain dough’s delicate structure and prevent ingredient clumping.
• Chill for Perfect Set: Allow minimum 1-2 hours refrigeration time to ensure firm, clean-cut bars with ideal texture and stable chocolate topping.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg