M&M Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars: Easy & Festive!

Need a quick and festive dessert for Easter? These Easter M&M cake mix cookie bars are the perfect solution for busy bakers! This recipe uses a cake mix shortcut to create colorful and delicious cookie bars that are ready in minutes. You’ll learn how to make these delightful treats using a simple cake mix, making them ideal for your Easter celebrations. Get ready to bake some amazing Easter cake mix cookie bars m&m!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The real magic of this recipe lies in the cake mix shortcut. It transforms the process, making it unbelievably easy and fast. These cookie bars are perfect for last-minute Easter gatherings or even for baking with kids.

Quick & Easy: These bars are ready in under 30 minutes, from start to finish. That’s less time than it takes to hunt for Easter eggs!

Family-Friendly: Baking these is a fun activity to do with kids, and everyone will love eating them. Get those little hands mixing!

Festive: The colorful M&Ms make these bars visually appealing and perfect for your Easter celebrations. They’ll look great on any dessert table.

Ingredients Needed

• 1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix (vanilla, chocolate, or any flavor you like)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups M&Ms (Easter-themed, if desired)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

M&Ms: For an extra festive touch, use Easter-themed M&Ms. The pastel colors are perfect for the holiday!

Cake Mix: Feel free to experiment with different cake mix flavors. Vanilla, chocolate, or even lemon would work beautifully. For more information on different cake mixes, you can visit King Arthur Baking’s guide to cake mixes.

Gluten-Free: To make these gluten-free, use a gluten-free cake mix and gluten-free M&Ms.

Butter: For a dairy-free option, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil. This will give the bars a slightly chewier texture.

How to Make Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars M&M

Get Ready to Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. The melted butter will make the batter smooth. You can learn more about the process of melting butter correctly from Land O’Lakes’ guide to melting butter.

Combine Ingredients

Add the cake mix to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. The batter should be thick and slightly sticky.

Add M&Ms

Gently fold in 1 cup of M&Ms. Reserve the remaining 1/2 cup for topping. The colorful M&Ms will be distributed throughout the batter.

Bake the Bars

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of M&Ms over the top, pressing them gently into the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Your kitchen will smell amazing as they bake, filling it with a sweet aroma.

Cool and Cut

Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Cooling completely ensures cleaner slices. The bars should have golden brown edges and a set center when done.

Tips for Perfectly Chewy Cookie Bars

The key to chewy cookie bars is all about the baking time. Underbaking them slightly will result in a chewier texture. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to tough bars.

To prevent burning, make sure your oven temperature is accurate, and consider placing the pan in the center rack. For a more visually appealing look, press extra M&Ms on top before baking.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Pro Tips

• Use room temperature butter for easier mixing.
• Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
• Gently press M&Ms into the top of the bars before baking.
• Let the bars cool completely before cutting for cleaner slices.
• Use a pizza cutter for easy and even slicing.
• Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overbaking the bars: check for doneness a few minutes early.
• Overmixing the batter: mix until just combined.
• Using old or expired baking powder: ensure it’s fresh for proper leavening (although cake mix already has leavening agents, freshness still matters for the overall quality).
• Not lining the pan: makes it difficult to remove bars cleanly.

Serving & Storage

Serving Ideas

• Serve the cookie bars as a dessert for Easter dinner.
• Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Serve with a glass of cold milk.
• Package individually as Easter basket treats. Speaking of Easter treats, you might also enjoy these easy easter dessert recipes for a kids party.

Storage and Make-Ahead

• Store baked bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freeze baked bars for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• The batter can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Conclusion

These Easter M&M cake mix cookie bars are not only incredibly easy to make but also incredibly delicious! Their festive appearance makes them the perfect addition to any Easter celebration. Feel free to experiment with different cake mix flavors or add other mix-ins to create your own unique version. Even beginner bakers will find this recipe foolproof. Print this recipe and share it with your friends and family!

If you are looking for another easy cake mix recipe, check out this one bowl lemon blueberry cake recipe.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of candy in these bars? Yes, you can substitute other candies like chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or chopped nuts.

Can I make these bars gluten-free? Yes, use a gluten-free cake mix and gluten-free M&Ms.

How do I prevent the M&Ms from melting in the oven? Use a lower oven temperature and bake for a slightly longer time. Gently press the M&Ms into the batter before baking.

How do I store these cookie bars? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze these cookie bars? Yes, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Looking for another Easter themed treat? Then you should try these no bake birds nest cookies.