Chewy & Delicious M&M Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Recipe for Leftover Egg Yolks
Is there anything more joyful than a tray of freshly baked, vibrantly colored M&M cookie bars? Today, we’re diving into a truly special recipe that’s not only incredibly delicious, rich, and wonderfully chewy, but also offers a brilliant solution for those inevitable leftover egg yolks. If your holiday baking adventures often leave you with a surplus of yolks, this recipe is your new best friend, requiring a full six egg yolks for a perfect batch of delightful cookie bars. Whether you’re planning a cozy afternoon treat for the family or need a cheerful, crowd-pleasing dessert for a Christmas party, these M&M cookie bars are here to make your baking simpler and more sustainable!
This recipe transforms what could be food waste into a magnificent, moist, and chewy treat that everyone will adore. The egg yolks contribute significantly to the bars’ rich texture and deep golden hue, making them irresistible. Get ready to bake a batch that will bring smiles and a burst of color to any gathering!
Why You’ll Absolutely Love These M&M Cookie Bars
- Perfect for Leftover Egg Yolks: A fantastic and flavorful way to reduce food waste after making meringue, pavlova, or other egg white-heavy recipes.
- Irresistibly Chewy & Moist: Thanks to the generous amount of egg yolks and brown sugar, these bars boast a perfectly soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Vibrantly Festive: The colorful M&Ms make these bars an instant hit for any celebration, especially during the holidays. You can customize the colors for different occasions!
- Incredibly Easy to Make: With straightforward instructions and no complicated steps or chilling required, even novice bakers can achieve perfect results.
- Crowd-Pleasing Delight: M&M cookie bars are universally loved, making them ideal for potlucks, parties, bake sales, or simply a sweet everyday indulgence.
Curious about how to get the most out of those colorful M&Ms, or wondering what else to do with any extra egg whites you might have? These versatile cookie bars are incredibly adaptable to your festive mood or any theme! For a classic Christmas celebration, opt for red and green M&Ms. If you’re feeling creative, unleash your inner artist with a rainbow of colors for a year-round treat. And if your pantry is overflowing with M&Ms, why not whip up a batch of classic M&M cookies too? They are just as easy and utterly delicious as these bars, offering another wonderful way to enjoy this beloved candy.
And let’s not forget those valuable leftover egg whites! Instead of discarding them, transform them into another delectable dessert. Imagine a luscious 6-egg white chocolate cake, a light and airy delight, or a batch of Grandma’s famous coconut macaroons. Both options are perfect additions to your holiday dessert table, ensuring every part of your eggs is put to good use, making your baking both merry and waste-free.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let’s embark on some holiday baking magic! If you’re eager for even more creative ways to utilize leftover egg yolks or whites, keep reading—I’ve packed this article with plenty of brilliant ideas below to inspire your next kitchen adventure.
🥘 Ingredients for the Perfect M&M Cookie Bars
Crafting these delectable M&M cookie bars requires a few simple, common baking ingredients. Each plays a crucial role in achieving that signature chewy texture and rich flavor:
- Egg yolks: The star of this recipe! Six egg yolks contribute immense richness, moisture, and a beautiful golden color to the bars, creating a luxurious, tender crumb. They act as an emulsifier, binding the ingredients together and preventing dryness.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and slightly cooled, butter adds a foundational richness and helps achieve the perfect spread and chewiness. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the total salt content in your recipe.
- Brown sugar: I opted for Demerara Sugar, but any good quality brown sugar works wonders. Brown sugar is key for the chewy texture, as its molasses content adds moisture and a caramel-like depth of flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp edge, balancing the chewiness from the brown sugar.
- Vanilla extract: A staple in most baked goods, vanilla enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic note.
- All-purpose flour: The structural backbone of our cookie bars. Measure it correctly to avoid overly dense or crumbly bars.
- Baking powder: This leavening agent provides a slight lift, ensuring the bars aren’t too dense while maintaining their chewy consistency.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the full flavor of the other ingredients, especially the chocolate from the M&Ms.
- M&M’s: The colorful coating and chocolatey crunch! Use red and green for a classic Christmas feel, or a vibrant rainbow mix for year-round enjoyment. Don’t forget a few extra for topping to make them look extra appealing.
For precise measurements, refer to the detailed recipe card below.
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Your M&M Cookie Bars
Follow these simple steps to create perfectly chewy and moist M&M cookie bars. Precision in baking ensures the best results!
Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature when the dough is ready, promoting even baking. Line a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper. It’s helpful to leave an overhang on the sides; this acts as “handles” later, making it incredibly easy to lift the cooled cookie slab out of the pan for slicing.
Mix Wet Ingredients for a Rich Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter (ensure it’s slightly cooled so it doesn’t cook the egg yolks), brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk these together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This step creates a rich, sweet base. Next, add the six egg yolks and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is light and creamy. The egg yolks contribute significantly to the bars’ moistness and tender texture.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures these dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is crucial for uniform leavening and seasoning throughout your cookie bars.
Form the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough cookie bars instead of chewy ones. Finally, gently fold in the M&M’s. Reserve a few M&Ms if you want to scatter them on top later for extra visual appeal.
Spread in Pan
Pour the thick, colorful batter into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly from corner to corner. This ensures all parts of the bars bake uniformly. Now is the perfect time to scatter those reserved M&M’s on top for an extra pop of color and festive decoration.
Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the cookie bars for 30-45 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on them. The bars are ready when the edges are beautifully golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. The key to chewy bars is to avoid overbaking; they might seem slightly underdone in the very center, but they will continue to set as they cool.
Cool and Slice
This is arguably the most challenging step: patience! Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling allows the bars to fully set and firm up, making them much easier to slice cleanly. Once completely cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and slice into your desired squares or rectangles. Enjoy!
🍽 Essential Equipment for Baking Success
Having the right tools makes all the difference when baking. Here’s what you’ll need for these M&M cookie bars:
- 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan: This specific size is crucial for achieving the ideal thickness and chewiness of the bars.
- Parchment paper: Essential for easy removal and cleanup.
- Hand or Stand mixer: While you can mix by hand, a mixer makes the process quicker and ensures a smooth, well-combined batter.
- Mixing bowls: You’ll need at least two – one for wet ingredients and one for dry.
- Spatula: For stirring, folding, and spreading the batter evenly.
- Sharp knife: For clean, precise slices once the bars are cooled.
💭 Top Tips for Perfect M&M Cookie Bars
- Do Not Overbake: This is the golden rule for chewy cookie bars! Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly bars. Look for golden edges and a center that looks just barely set. A few moist crumbs on a toothpick are perfect.
- Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue here. Allowing the bars to cool fully in the pan ensures they firm up properly, making them much easier to lift out and slice cleanly without falling apart.
- Room Temperature Egg Yolks: While the recipe calls for melted butter, using room temperature egg yolks helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter, creating a more uniform texture.
- Add-ins for Variety: Feel free to customize! You can mix in chopped walnuts, pecans, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or even sprinkles alongside (or instead of) the M&M’s for extra texture and flavor.
- Pan Size Matters: Using the recommended 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) pan is important. A smaller pan will yield thicker bars that need longer baking, while a larger pan will make thinner bars that bake faster and might be crispier. Adjust baking time accordingly if you use a different size.
- Storing for Freshness: Store your cooled M&M cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Freezing for Later: These bars freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled and sliced, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
🥚 Creative Ways to Use Leftover Egg Yolks & Egg Whites
Don’t let any part of your eggs go to waste! Here are even more delightful recipes to inspire you:
- Egg Yolk Cookies with Jam: Delicate cookies with a sweet fruity center.
- Egg Yolk Bundt Cake: A rich, moist cake with a beautiful golden crumb.
- Walnut Cookies: Nutty and flavorful, perfect for a cozy treat.
- Homemade Advocaat / Egg Liqueur: A creamy, boozy indulgence that’s surprisingly easy to make.
- Linzer Cookies with Egg Liqueur Ganache: A sophisticated twist on a classic, perfect for special occasions.
- Sour Cream Cookies: Tender and tangy, a delightful addition to any cookie platter.
- Vanilla Sauce: A versatile, rich sauce perfect for drizzling over desserts.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Classic homemade ice cream, incredibly rich and creamy with egg yolks.
- 6 Egg White Chocolate Cake: A light, airy, and incredibly moist chocolate cake.
- Coconut Meringue Cookies {Granny’s Recipe}: Light and chewy, a perfect use for egg whites.
- Cranberry Whiskey Sour: A refreshing cocktail that uses egg whites for a foamy top.
- Clover Club: Another elegant cocktail benefiting from frothy egg whites.
- Hazelnut Meringue Cookies: Delicate, crisp cookies with a rich hazelnut flavor.
If you try this delightful M&M cookie bar recipe, please let me know how much you loved it by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating and a comment below. Your feedback means the world! You can also sign up for our Newsletter to receive weekly delicious homemade recipes directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest or Instagram, and share your baking creations with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and use the hashtag #combinegoodflavors so I don’t miss your festive treats!
📖 Recipe: 6 Egg Yolk M&M Cookie Bars
6 Egg Yolk M&M Cookie Bars
By Nora
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Pin Recipe
Equipment
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9×13-inch (23×33 cm) pan
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Parchment Paper
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Hand or stand mixer
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Mixing bowls
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Spatula
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Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup M&M’s (plus a few extra for topping)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled, 1 cup Brown sugar, and ½ cup Granulated sugar until smooth.1 cup Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled, 1 cup Brown sugar, ½ cup Granulated sugar
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Add 6 egg yolks and 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined.6 egg yolks, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
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In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups All-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon Baking powder, and ½ teaspoon Salt.2 cups All-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon Baking powder, ½ teaspoon Salt
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Gently fold in the 1 cup M&M’s .1 cup M&M’s
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Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Scatter a few extra M&M’s on top for decoration.
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Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake to keep the bars chewy.
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Let the bars cool completely in the pan, then lift them out using the parchment overhang. Slice into squares or rectangles.
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
⛑️ Important Food Safety Considerations
Always prioritize food safety when baking and cooking. Following these guidelines helps ensure your delicious M&M cookie bars are not only tasty but also safe to eat:
- Cooking Temperature: While these are cookie bars, it’s good practice to ensure baked goods reach a minimum internal temperature, especially if they contain eggs, to eliminate any potential pathogens. For cookie bars, aim for a fully set center.
- Cross-Contamination Prevention: If handling raw ingredients like eggs and then moving to cooked foods, always use separate utensils and cutting boards. Wash hands thoroughly between tasks.
- Hand Washing: Always wash hands with soap and warm water before and after handling food, especially after touching raw ingredients like eggs.
- Temperature Control: Do not leave perishable food or ingredients sitting out at room temperature for extended periods. Once baked, cool the bars quickly and store them properly.
- Never Leave Cooking Unattended: Stay in the kitchen while your cookie bars are baking to prevent overbaking or any potential oven hazards.
- Proper Storage: Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent contamination.
- Allergen Awareness: Be mindful of common allergens like eggs, dairy, wheat, and potential cross-contamination with nuts if you are making other recipes.
For further comprehensive food safety information and best practices, always refer to reputable sources like the Safe Food Handling guidelines from the FDA.