Celebrate love and sweetness with these Thick & Delish Valentine M&M Bars, a delightful dessert perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. These bars boast a rich, buttery dough generously packed with festive Valentine-themed M&Ms and classic semi-sweet chocolate chips, creating a perfect balance of gooey, chewy, and crunchy textures in every bite.
Whether you’re sharing with loved ones or savoring a moment to yourself, these bars deliver a burst of chocolatey joy with each slice. Easy to bake, they bring vibrant colors and decadent flavors together, making them an irresistible treat that’s sure to brighten your day.
- Loaded with Valentine-themed M&Ms and chocolate chips for a festive, colorful treat.
- Thick, chewy texture that stays moist and delicious through every bite.
- Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make it accessible for bakers of all levels.
Ingredients
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps to create a slightly crisp texture in the bars.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a rich, caramel-like depth enhancing the chewy texture.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened at room temperature to blend smoothly, contributing richness and tenderness.
- Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together while adding moisture and structure to the bars.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with sweet, aromatic notes.
- Baking Soda: Acts as a leavening agent, giving a slight rise and lightness to the dense dough.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies chocolate flavors in the bars.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure, holding all ingredients together into thick bars.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Add rich pockets of melty chocolate for indulgent bites.
- Valentine M&Ms: Colorful candies that add festive colors, crunch, and a sugary sweetness.
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper if desired, and spray with nonstick cooking spray. This ensures easy removal of the bars after baking and prevents sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until combined and smooth. This creamy mixture forms the base of your dough, helping create a tender and luscious texture in the bars.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla
Incorporate the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, beating until fully blended. Eggs add moisture and structure to the bars while the vanilla infuses a sweet, aromatic flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet
Slowly add baking soda, salt, and flour to the wet mixture, mixing first on low to avoid overworking the flour, then on medium speed until the dough comes together. This step builds the dough’s structure without making it tough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Valentine M&Ms
Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips and Valentine M&Ms into the dough, ensuring an even distribution. This step is key to having flavorful chocolate and colorful candy bursts in every bite.
- Spread Dough in Pan and Decorate
Transfer the dough evenly into your prepared pan, spreading it flat with a spatula. Optionally, press extra Valentine M&Ms on top for an eye-catching, colorful presentation that will make the bars look festively inviting.
- Bake Until Set
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 35 minutes, monitoring closely after 20 minutes to avoid overbaking. The bars are done when the top feels set but still slightly soft to maintain gooeyness. Baking time can be adjusted based on your preferred texture.
- Cool and Serve
Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack for easy slicing. Once cooled, cut into 12 to 16 bars, serve, and enjoy the delightful combination of chocolate and candy in each thick, rich bite.
- Baking time varies according to your oven and desired bar texture; check often to avoid hard edges.
- For gooey bars, remove them from the oven a little earlier; they will continue cooking slightly while cooling.
- These bars keep well at room temperature but can also be served warm for a melty chocolate experience.
Storage Tips
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and chewiness. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months, allowing them to thaw before serving.
Serving Suggestions
These bars are perfect on their own as a festive treat or served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. Pair them with hot cocoa or coffee to complement their chocolatey richness during cozy gatherings.
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- Do not overmix after adding flour to prevent tough, dense bars.
- Customize with your choice of candy colors or add nuts for extra crunch.
FAQs
- Can I substitute M&Ms with other candies?
Yes, you can use similar size chocolate or candy-coated chocolates like Reese’s Pieces or colorful chocolate chips to customize flavors.
- How do I make the bars more gooey?
Bake for the shorter end of the time range and allow the bars to cool slightly; this helps retain a soft, fudgy center.
- Can I freeze these bars?
Absolutely! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
- Do I need to line the pan with parchment paper?
Lining the pan with parchment makes removal easier but is optional. You can also grease the pan well to prevent sticking.
- Are these bars suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, all ingredients used are vegetarian-friendly, making these bars a tasty option for vegetarian diets.
- Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but reduce or omit additional salt in the recipe to balance the flavor.
Thick Valentine M&M Bars
Equipment
- 1 electric mixer
- 1 9x13 inch baking pan
- 1 wire rack
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups Valentine M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper if desired. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together with an electric mixer until well combined.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract and continue mixing until fully incorporated.
- Slowly mix in baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour until dough begins to form, then increase to medium speed until fully combined.
- Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and Valentine M&Ms evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop the dough into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Optionally, sprinkle additional M&Ms on top and press lightly.
- Bake for 20 to 35 minutes until the top is set and the bars are golden or your preferred doneness.
- Let the bars cool on a wire rack, then cut into pieces and serve.
Notes
- Bake shorter for gooey bars or longer for a golden top.
- Avoid overbaking as bars continue cooking after removal.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
