Easy Easter Dessert – Colorful Cookie Bars Recipe Perfect for the Quick Dessert Idea

Need a dessert that’s festive, fabulous, and takes zero brain power to make? I got you! These Easter Cookie Bars are everything you want in a holiday treat—soft, chewy, chocolatey, and full of those adorable pastel M&M’s we all secretly hoard every spring. If you’re a fan of Quick Easter Dessert Ideas that don’t require hours in the kitchen, this one’s for you.

Now, let me confess something real quick: I live for Easter candy season. Pastel everything? Yes, please. Chocolate in every shape and color? Say no more. So when I say these cookie bars are basically edible Easter joy, I’m not exaggerating. 💁‍♀️

So, what’s the magic combo?

You only need five ingredients (yep, five) to whip these beauties up. The base is genius in its simplicity: one sugar cookie mix + one chocolate chip cookie mix. It’s like a cookie power couple—crispy edges, chewy centers, and bursts of chocolate in every bite. Toss in those bright pastel candies, and suddenly your cookie game is looking very Pinterest-worthy.

Bold tip: No mixer needed. Just stir, press into a pan, bake, and boom—Easy Easter Desserts done and dusted.

But wait, it gets better...

These bars aren’t just for Easter. You can totally swap in any M&M variety to match whatever holiday is around the corner. Red and green for Christmas? Do it. Red and pink for Valentine’s Day? Adorable. Red, white, and blue for the 4th of July? Heck yeah.

This is one of those Simple Easter Baking Recipes that you’ll keep coming back to because it's just so flexible. And foolproof. And delicious.

Want to make them your own?

I love a good remix. Here are a few fun variations to try:

• Add nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.

• Swap the candy for white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or dark chocolate chunks.

• Change up the mixes! Use peanut butter cookie mix or even oatmeal chocolate chip—get creative!

Just be warned: not all combos will be perfect. (Ask me how I know. RIP to the one time I thought lemon cookie mix and M&M’s would be "fun and zesty." 😬)

Butter talk: Salted or Unsalted?

Honestly, I’m team salted all the way. It enhances the flavor and saves you from adding extra salt later. But if unsalted is all you’ve got, no worries—just toss in a pinch of salt to balance things out.

Storage tips? Got you covered.

These Pastel Easter Treats store beautifully. Keep leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days (assuming they last that long). Want to freeze them? Wrap the cooled bars in plastic wrap, then foil, and store in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 2 months.

Pro tip: Label them clearly. Otherwise, you’ll forget what they are, eat one half-frozen, and still love it but wonder why your taste buds are confused.

Bottom line? These Easter Cookie Bars are the kind of low-effort, high-reward dessert that make you look like a baking rock star—without even trying. They’re colorful, crowd-pleasing, and downright addictive. Whether you're whipping them up for brunch, gifting them to neighbors, or just eating them straight from the pan (no judgment), they’re the perfect Easy Easter Desserts to keep in your back pocket.

So go ahead, raid the candy aisle and get baking. You’ve got yourself a new holiday tradition! 🐣💕

Easy Easter Dessert – Colorful Cookie Bars Recipe Perfect for the Quick Dessert Idea

These festive Easter Cookie Bars come together in no time using just five simple ingredients! They’re crispy around the edges, soft and gooey in the center, and packed with chocolate chips and pastel-colored Easter M&M’s. A perfect no-fuss treat that’ll please kids and adults alike.

• Author: Aleda
• Course: Dessert, Easter
• Cuisine: American
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 20

🥣 Ingredients:

• 1 (17.5 oz) package sugar cookie mix
• 1 (17.5 oz) package chocolate chip cookie mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
• 1 cup Easter M&M’s, divided

👩‍🍳 Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Tip: Spray the pan first, then lay in a sheet of parchment paper so it sticks well and leaves enough overhang to lift the bars out cleanly later.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together both the sugar cookie and chocolate chip cookie dry mixes until fully blended.
4. Add in the eggs and softened butter. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and thick.
5. Note: If using a stand mixer, combine the dry ingredients right in the bowl, then mix in the wet ingredients.
6. Fold in ¾ cup of the Easter M&M’s gently with a spatula or spoon.
7. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of M&M’s over the top for a colorful finish.
8. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs (but no wet batter).
9. Pro Tip: Don’t overbake—only the edges should be firm and lightly browned. The middle may look slightly underdone but will continue to firm up as it cools.
10. Optional: If the top starts to brown too much before the center is done, loosely cover the pan with foil to prevent overbaking.
11. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan—about 1 to 2 hours—before lifting out and slicing into squares.

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