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–+ servings
Thick Valentine cookie bars with pink frosting and red and pink M&Ms, sliced into squares on a white background.

Valentine Cookie Bars

Kitchen Ready Betty
These classic Valentine Cookie Bars are a soft, chewy holiday treat loaded with festive pink and red M&Ms. This easy recipe is a wonderful way to get kids involved in the kitchen, as they truly love helping press the chocolate candies into the dough before baking!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Desserts, Holidays
Servings 24
Calories 221 kcal

Equipment

  • 13x9 nonstick metal pan (lined with parchment paper for easy removal)
  • microwaveable mixing bowl
  • medium mixing bowl
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • mixing spoon
  • whisk
  • scraping spatula

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Ingredients
  

  • 2 sticks butter
  • 1 & ¼ cups light brown sugar firmly packed
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour spoon and level into measuring cup
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup mini M&Ms Valentine's mix
  • pink decorating icing and sprinkles optional toppings to add after bars have cooled

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Melt butter in large microwaveable safe bowl; allow to slightly cool.
  • Add the brown sugar and mix well.
  • Next, add the eggs, one at a time, and vanilla; mix.
  • In a separate medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt. Add this mixture to the large bowl; stir until just combined.
  • Add the chocolate chips to the batter. Mix until just combined.
  • Spread the batter into a prepared 13x9 baking pan. You may choose to line it with parchment paper first for easier removal.
  • Gently press M&Ms into the top of the batter.
  • Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20-22 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes in pan before lifting out with parchment paper "handles". Allow to cool completely on wire rack before slicing and decorating further.

Notes

When combining the dry and wet ingredients, stir until JUST COMBINED (it's okay if the batter is a little lumpy). If you over stir, it will become too cake-like.
I generally bake these for 20-22 minutes. Keep in mind that the longer cookie bars bake, the more cake-like they will be. The less they bake, the more they will resemble a blondie (but of course, bake them long enough so that they're not too ooey gooey and are safe to eat). As a general rule of thumb, you want the tops and edges to be golden brown and buttery crisp, with a soft and chewy, dense interior.
Store in an airtight container. Enjoy within 3-5 days. No need to refrigerate. Storing with a slice of bread helps to prevent dryness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 squareCalories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 157mgPotassium: 77mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 269IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1mg
Keyword chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chips, cookie bar, cookie bars, M&M's, Valentine's Day, valentine's day cookie bars
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!