February 14th is the perfect occasion to share sweet treats with the ones you love, and what better way to show you care than with freshly baked Valentine's Day Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies?
I started with a classic recipe for the base and then added vibrant pink, red, and white M&M candies to create a festive dessert that's perfect for celebrating with your loved ones.
Don't miss out on more delicious ideas—explore all the Valentine's Day Recipes now!
These soft and chewy bars are loaded with rich chocolate and candy M&M's making them the perfect dessert for the holiday.
These treats are perfect for school parties or as thoughtful gifts for neighbors. Wrap them up beautifully and add a special touch with Cute Animal Gift Tags to make the packaging even more charming.
Looking for more Easy Desserts for Valentine's Day? Try my Heart Shaped Brownies, or my Heart Shaped Oreo Truffles. Yum!
Check out the drop cookie version!
Valentine's Day Chocolate Chip Cookies
Table of Contents
- Valentine's Day Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Kitchen Tools Spotlight
- Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Baking Tip
- Baking Instructions
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- Printable Valentine's Day Gift Tags and Cards
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Food Safety Tips:
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Festive and Fun: The colorful M&M candies add a bright, holiday-themed touch, making them perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Soft and Chewy Texture: These bars have the perfect balance of a soft, chewy center with slightly crisp edges.
Easy to Make: No need for individual cookies—just mix, bake, and slice!
Kid-Friendly: A great recipe to make with kids, and a hit for school parties or family treats.
Perfect for Sharing: These bars are easy to cut and package, making them ideal for gifting or serving at gatherings.
Kitchen Tools Spotlight
Wilton9 x 13-inch Baking Pan with Lid– Practical and Versatile Metal Cake Pan with Lid - Covered Cake Pan for Easy Storage – Heat-Resistant Non-Stick Rectangular Cake Pan for Brownies, Crumble, Cakes
M&MS Milk Chocolate Valentine's Day Candy Jar, 62 ozJOYIN 24 Pcs Valentine’s Day Bakery Treat Boxes Valentines Cupcake Boxes Cookie Boxes with Window for Holiday Pastries, Doughnut, Cookie, Cupcakes, Brownies, Truffles Gift Giving
Recipe Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. For exact amounts and to easily shop for everything, click the Instacart button in the recipe card below to add the ingredients straight to your cart!
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap out the chocolate chips with peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or festive sprinkles for a different flavor and texture.
- Add chopped walnuts for more crunch!
- If you need a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Almond flour can also be used but may slightly change the texture.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
Step 2: Mix in the vanilla extract and egg. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and most of the M&M's. Reserve some M&M's for the top.
Step 4: Spread the cookie dough evenly in a 8x6-inch baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved M&M's on top.
Baking Tip
Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides. This makes it easy to lift the bars out in one piece for effortless slicing and cleanup.
Baking Instructions
Step 5: Bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan, then slice into squares to serve.
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
To turn cookie mix into bar cookies, prepare the dough as directed, then press it evenly into a greased or parchment-lined baking pan (typically 8x8 or 9x13 inches, depending on the mix size). Bake at 325°F–350°F for 20–30 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let cool before cutting into bars.
Bar cookies are baked as a single layer in a pan and cut into squares, resulting in a denser, often chewier texture, while drop cookies are scooped onto a baking sheet in individual portions, creating round, soft, or crisp cookies.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Room Temperature: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Layer with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezer (Optional): Wrap individually or in layers with parchment paper and store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Valentine's Day Chocolate Chip Cookies or my Valentine's Day Cookie Mix in a Jar. Or you might like this recipe for Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies.
Printable Valentine's Day Gift Tags and Cards
Make Valentine’s Day extra adorable with these Cute Animal Valentine’s Day Cards!
📖 Recipe Card
Valentine's Day Bar Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.
- Beat until fully incorporated. Add vanilla extract and the egg to the creamed mixture, beat again.
- In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add them to the wet mixture, beating until combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and most of the M&M’s, reserving some for topping.
- Spread the dough evenly into a 8x6-inch (or 9x7) baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved M&M’s on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan before slicing into squares.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Food Safety Tips:
- Bake goods to their recommended internal temperature, typically 165°F (74°C) or higher for safety.
- Use separate utensils and surfaces for raw ingredients, especially eggs, to prevent cross-contamination.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw dough or eggs.
- Avoid leaving baked goods or raw dough at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave the oven unattended while baking.
- Choose oils with a high smoking point to minimize the release of harmful compounds.
- Ensure good ventilation when using a gas stove when using an oven or gas stove to maintain a safe cooking environment.
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