Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Bars

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If you’ve ever craved a dessert that’s as simple to make as it is delicious to eat, then look no further than these Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Bars. These bars bring together the nostalgic crunch of Oreos, the colorful fun of M&M’s, and the comforting warmth of homemade cookie bars, creating a treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for an easy after-school snack, or simply want to indulge your sweet tooth, these cookie bars are the answer. Soft, chewy, and loaded with your favorite candy and cookies, they combine the best of both worlds. Let’s dive into this sweet, irresistible creation!

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Why You’ll Love Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Bars

These Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on traditional cookie bars. With the addition of two classic snacks—Oreos and M&M’s—you get a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The soft and chewy bar base provides the perfect foundation, while the chunks of crunchy Oreos and colorful M&M’s give you a pop of sweetness and fun. These bars are like a party in your mouth!

What makes them even more enticing is how easy they are to prepare. With minimal prep time, they come together quickly and bake in just 20 minutes. They’re the ultimate dessert for busy home cooks who still want to impress. Plus, the recipe is easily customizable to suit your preferences, whether you’re looking to change up the candy or experiment with different cookie flavors.

The Magic of Oreo and M&M’s

Oreo Cookies and M&M’s are two of the most beloved snack foods worldwide. When combined, they create a sweet symphony of flavors. The creamy filling of Oreos adds a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth sensation, while the crisp cookie offers a satisfying crunch. M&M’s, with their colorful candy-coated exterior, provide a slight snap and a burst of sweetness in every bite.

In these cookie bars, the Oreos are coarsely chopped to incorporate their rich, chocolatey crunch into the bars without overpowering the other ingredients. Meanwhile, the M&M’s scatter across the top of the bars, allowing their colorful presence to shine through, creating an irresistible visual appeal.

Ingredients Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients used to create these Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Bars. Each one is carefully chosen to contribute to the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and sweetness.

1. Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup) 🧈

Butter is essential for achieving the soft, chewy texture of cookie bars. By using unsalted butter, you maintain control over the amount of salt in the recipe, allowing the sweetness of the other ingredients to take center stage. The butter is melted to make it easier to mix with the sugar and egg, resulting in a smooth and even batter.

2. Egg (1 large) 🥚

The egg binds all the ingredients together while contributing to the structure and texture of the bars. It helps the bars hold their shape and creates a soft, moist interior. When beaten into the melted butter and sugar, the egg adds to the overall richness of the dessert.

3. Light Brown Sugar (1 cup) 🍯

Light brown sugar is key to creating the chewy, caramel-like sweetness in the bars. It adds depth and moisture to the cookie batter, making each bite irresistibly soft. The molasses in brown sugar gives the bars a subtle, complex flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.

4. Vanilla Extract (1 tablespoon) 🌼

Vanilla extract is the secret ingredient that enhances all the other flavors in the bars. It provides a warm, aromatic backdrop to the chocolate and candy flavors, making the dessert feel comforting and familiar.

5. All-Purpose Flour (1 cup) 🌾

Flour is the foundation of any cookie bar. It gives structure to the dessert, helping it hold its shape as it bakes. The amount of flour in this recipe strikes the perfect balance between a chewy and slightly dense texture, ensuring the bars are soft yet firm enough to cut into squares.

6. Oreo Cookies (18, coarsely chopped) 🍪

Chopped Oreos bring both flavor and texture to these bars. Their crunchy chocolate cookie combined with the creamy filling creates pockets of sweetness throughout the bars. The larger chunks give a satisfying bite, while still allowing for the rich flavor of the cookies to shine.

7. M&M’s (about 1/2 cup) 🍫

M&M’s are the finishing touch in these bars, offering a playful pop of color and sweetness. Their candy coating provides a slight crunch, while the chocolate inside adds a rich, creamy texture. You can use traditional M&M’s or mix things up with your favorite varieties, like peanut or pretzel, to add a unique twist.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that we’ve covered the ingredients, let’s walk through the steps of creating these Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Bars. This process is quick and easy, so you’ll be enjoying your homemade dessert in no time!

1. Preheat & Prep Pan:

• Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the bars bake evenly and have the perfect texture.
• Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving some overhang to easily lift the bars out later. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent the bars from sticking.

2. Melt Butter:

• In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. This should only take about 1 minute on high power. Make sure the butter is fully melted and let it cool slightly before continuing.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients:

• Once the butter has cooled, add the egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth and well-combined. The mixture should look glossy and slightly thickened.

4. Add Dry Ingredients:

• Now it’s time to add the flour. Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bars too dense.

5. Add Mix-ins:

• Fold in the chopped Oreos. You want the chunks to be evenly distributed, so make sure to gently fold them into the batter without breaking them down too much.

6. Pour & Top with M&Ms:

• Pour the cookie dough mixture into your prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle M&M’s evenly on top, gently pressing them into the batter to ensure they stay in place while baking.

7. Bake:

• Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes. The edges should be slightly firm, and the top should look set. When you insert a toothpick into the center, it should come out with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.

8. Cool & Serve:

• Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. This cooling time helps them firm up and makes them easier to cut. Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil overhang and slice them into squares. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for Success

While this recipe is fairly straightforward, there are a few tips to ensure your Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Bars turn out perfectly every time.

1. Don’t Overmix:

• When adding the dry ingredients, be sure not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough bars. Stir just until everything is combined.

2. Chill the Dough for Extra Chewiness:

• For an even chewier texture, you can chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking. This will give the flour time to fully absorb the wet ingredients, resulting in a denser, more flavorful bar.

3. Customize Your M&M’s:

• Feel free to mix and match the type of M&M’s you use. Peanut, peanut butter, crispy, pretzel, or even seasonal M&M’s can give your bars a unique twist and an added layer of flavor.

4. Add Other Mix-ins:

• Want to make the bars even more decadent? Add extra chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or mini marshmallows to the batter. These will melt beautifully during baking, adding extra pockets of gooey sweetness.

5. Cut Bars After Cooling:

• Let the bars cool completely before cutting them. This ensures they hold their shape and gives the flavors time to meld together. If you cut them too soon, they may crumble.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

While these Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Bars are delicious as-is, there are endless variations you can try. Consider these suggestions to mix things up:

• Peanut Butter Twist: Add peanut butter chips to the batter for a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the Oreos and M&M’s.
• S’mores Version: Swap some of the Oreos for graham cracker crumbs and top the bars with mini marshmallows for a fun, s’mores-inspired treat.
• Cookie Dough Frosting: For an extra indulgent version, top the cooled bars with a layer of edible cookie dough frosting or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Add Nuts: Throw in a handful of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, for some crunch and flavor contrast.

Serve these cookie bars as a fun after-dinner treat or pack them in lunchboxes for a sweet surprise. They’re perfect for parties, school events, or as a comforting homemade snack.

Conclusion

These Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. With their chewy texture, rich chocolate flavor, and satisfying crunch from the Oreos and M&M’s, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Easy to make, customizable, and oh-so-delicious, they’re the perfect treat for any occasion. So why not give them a try and treat yourself to a bar that’s as fun to make as it is to eat?