M&M Chocolate Bars Recipe

Introduction

These M&M Chocolate Bars are a delightful combination of chewy oats, rich chocolate, and colorful candy pieces. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, they’re easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, divided
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (11.5-ounce) bag milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup plain M&M’s

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and 1 cup of the softened butter using a spoon. Remove 1 cup of this mixture and set it aside for topping.
3. Step 3: Press the remaining oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer.
4. Step 4: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir constantly until the chocolate chips are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
5. Step 5: Pour the melted chocolate mixture evenly over the oat base. Then sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the chocolate layer.
6. Step 6: Scatter the M&M’s evenly on top of the bars. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is lightly browned and set.
7. Step 7: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares to serve.

Tips & Variations

• Try using different types of M&M’s, such as peanut butter, white chocolate, or holiday-themed versions for fun variations.
• Swap the milk chocolate chips for peanut butter, butterscotch, or white chocolate chips to change the flavor profile.
• Press the oat mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold together better.

Storage

Store the bars covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag; freeze for 2 to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw overnight at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick-cooking oats?

Yes, you can substitute old-fashioned oats, but the texture may be a bit chewier and the bars might need a slightly longer baking time.

Do these bars need to be refrigerated?

No refrigeration is necessary if you plan to eat them within a few days. Just keep them covered at room temperature to maintain freshness.

M&M Chocolate Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 107 reviews

Delicious M&M Chocolate Bars featuring a buttery oat crust topped with a creamy chocolate layer and colorful M&M candies. These bars combine the heartiness of oats with the sweetness of chocolate and the fun crunch of M&M’s, baked to golden perfection for a crowd-pleasing treat perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Oat Crust

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

Chocolate Layer

• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (11.5-ounce) bag milk chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Topping

• 1 cup plain M&M’s

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly and set aside to ensure the bars don’t stick after baking.
2. Mix Oat Crust Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, quick-cooking rolled oats, light brown sugar, salt, and 1 cup of softened butter. Use a spoon to mix until evenly combined. Remove 1 cup of this mixture and set it aside for later.
3. Press Base Layer: Press the remaining oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust layer.
4. Prepare Chocolate Layer: In a medium-sized pot over medium-low heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, milk chocolate chips, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir constantly until the chocolate chips are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined.
5. Assemble Layers: Pour the warm chocolate mixture evenly over the oat crust layer in the baking dish. Spread it out gently with a spatula. Then sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of oat mixture evenly over the chocolate layer.
6. Add Toppings and Bake: Sprinkle the plain M&M’s over the top layer evenly. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the top is set.
7. Cool and Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares to serve. This ensures the layers set properly for clean slices.

Notes

• Variations: Experiment with different types of M&M’s like white chocolate, peanut butter, or holiday-themed M&M’s. You can also swap the chocolate chips with peanut butter, butterscotch, or white chocolate chips for varied flavors.
• Storage: Store the bars covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for 2 to 3 months.

Keywords: M&M bars, chocolate bars, oat bars, dessert bar, easy chocolate dessert, M&M chocolate bars, baked bars, sweet treats