Presenting Brown Butter M&M Cookie Bars—a treat bursting with incredible flavor! These bars boast a rich caramel taste from the brown butter, studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and festive red and green M&M’s. Enjoy them straight from the oven or warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible indulgence!
Reasons to Adore This Recipe:
- Brown Butter M&M Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and infused with a delightful nutty caramel flavor.
- They’re incredibly easy to whip up!
- Perfect for the holiday season, these bars make a decadent treat.
- With a slightly crispy edge and a gooey center, every bite is pure bliss.
- Sprinkle some sea salt for a sweet and salty flavor explosion.
- Indulge in them warm with a glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a heavenly experience!
- Browning the butter adds just a few extra minutes to prep but elevates the flavor significantly.
- These cookie bars require no chilling and are ready in under an hour.
Helpful Tips and Tricks:
- Browning the butter takes around 5-8 minutes but adds immense depth of flavor to the bars.
- Smacking the pan halfway through baking brings out air bubbles, resulting in a chewy and dense texture.
- Feel free to add extra holiday M&M’s and chocolate chips on top before baking.
- For a delightful sweet and salty contrast, sprinkle the baked bars with a touch of sea salt!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make these gluten-free?
While all-purpose flour works best, you can substitute it with a gluten-free flour blend like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur’s in a 1:1 ratio. - Can I use oats or oat flour?
Though untested, oats or oat flour may work well in this recipe. - Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?
Use vegan holiday M&M’s or UNREAL colored candies. Flax eggs may be a suitable replacement for eggs, although untested.
Brown Butter M&M Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup browned grass-fed unsalted butter
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups holiday M&M’s reserve some for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Brown the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium-low heat. Once melted, simmer for 3-5 minutes until it turns brown with a nutty aroma.
- In an electric mixer, combine brown butter and coconut sugar. Mix for 1-2 minutes on medium speed.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, then whisk until fully combined.
- Switch to a paddle attachment and add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in M&M’s and chocolate chips until fully incorporated.
- Press dough into the prepared pan and top with more holiday M&M’s. Bake for 17 minutes, then gently smack the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool for 30 minutes, then slice into 12 squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Browning the butter enhances the flavor significantly.
- Smacking the pan halfway through baking ensures a chewy texture.
- Feel free to add extra M&M’s and chocolate chips on top.
- Sprinkle baked bars with sea salt for a sweet and salty twist!