2-Ingredient M&M Cookie Bars

It doesn’t get any easier than these M&M cookie bars! Not only are they fun to make, but they only need two ingredients. And they’re always a hit when we bring them to potlucks and parties.

I love versatile recipes like this where you can change up the color of M&Ms to match any holiday, sports team or birthday party theme. M and M cookie bars are easy enough for kids and tweens to make all by themselves.

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Sometimes you need to come up with a quick dessert to take to a party, picnic or potluck. These 2-ingredient M&M Cookie Bars are just the thing! They’re the easiest dessert you’ll ever make, and they’re always a hit with both kids and adults.

What you need for M&M cookie bars

This easy “recipe” uses refrigerated sugar cookie dough, but if you prefer to make recipes from scratch, try my Vanilla M&M Cookie Bars. Another option is to use a cake mix instead of sugar cookie dough, which makes fluffy cake bars instead of crispy cookies. It only takes 5 ingredients to make Cake Mix Bars with M&Ms.

Another benefit of making cookie bars is you don’t have to scoop out each cookie onto a baking sheet and make multiple batches in the oven. You just put this in and walk away!

It’s not essential to line the baking pan with parchment paper. You could spray it with nonstick cooking spray instead. But I find it SO much easier to do it this way. That way, the cookie bars don’t stick to the pan, and it makes cleanup super easy.

How to make these M and M cookie bars

This recipe is perfect for kids to help with, since it’s so darn easy. Start by preparing a 9×12 baking dish with either parchment paper or nonstick cooking spray.

Spread the sugar cookie dough into the bottom of the pan, making sure to press it evenly for baking.

Choose your favorite color M&M candies–in this case, we used the patriotic ones–and press them gently into the top of the sugar cookie base.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle a few more M&Ms on top. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting into bars.

More easy dessert recipes

It’s a good idea to keep quick recipes like these on hand for your next occasion. Caramel apple dip is only 4 ingredients, and it’s delicious for dipping apple slices, pretzels or cookies. There are plenty to choose from on this list of 3-ingredient candy recipes, too.

Using a cake mix is an easy way to cut down on the number of ingredients and make desserts faster. Make a peach dump cake or cake mix cookies.

Another easy 2-ingredient dessert is this cinnamon roll apple cobbler. And my kids just LOVE these fried donuts you make with only 3 ingredients!

These 3-Ingredient cookie recipes are holiday-themed, but can be enjoyed anytime.

Printable sugar cookie bars recipe