Valentine’s Day Cookie Bars are a festive and delicious treat perfect for sharing with loved ones. These buttery, chewy bars are packed with chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolates, and festive sprinkles for a colorful, sweet dessert. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, they’re the ultimate Valentine’s Day indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and Festive: Perfect for Valentine’s Day celebrations with a pop of pink, red, and white.
- Easy to Make: One-bowl recipe with no need for rolling or shaping cookies.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Great for parties, gift boxes, or an after-dinner treat.
- Customizable: Switch up the mix-ins and decorations to suit your taste.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Valentine’s Day-themed candy-coated chocolates (e.g., M&M’s)
- Valentine’s sprinkles
Optional: White chocolate drizzle or powdered sugar for decoration.
Directions
Prepare the Dough:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Cream Butter and Sugars:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in Mix-Ins:
- Gently fold in chocolate chips and half of the Valentine’s candies.
Assemble and Bake:
- Spread the Dough:
- Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining candies and sprinkles on top, pressing them gently into the dough.
- Bake:
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
- Cool:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles.
Decorate (Optional):
- Add Finishing Touches:
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate or dust with powdered sugar for an extra festive look.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 16 bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute for a gluten-free version.
- Nutty Addition: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
- Triple Chocolate: Use a mix of dark, white, and milk chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
- Frosted Bars: Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top for an indulgent finish.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze individual bars in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought cookie dough?
Yes! Press store-bought cookie dough into the pan and add Valentine’s candies and sprinkles on top before baking.
2. How do I prevent overbaking?
Check for doneness at 20 minutes. The bars should look slightly underbaked in the center, as they will firm up while cooling.
3. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger baking pan (such as 11×15 inches) and adjust the baking time slightly.
4. Can I use other types of candy?
Absolutely! Swap Valentine’s candies for your favorite mix-ins, like mini marshmallows or chocolate chunks.
5. How do I get clean slices?
Cool the bars completely before slicing, and use a sharp knife dipped in warm water for clean cuts.
6. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, bake them the day before serving and store at room temperature in an airtight container.
7. What if I don’t have sprinkles?
You can skip the sprinkles or use extra candy-coated chocolates for decoration.
8. Can I make smaller batches?
Yes, halve the recipe and bake in an 8×8-inch pan, adjusting the baking time to 18-20 minutes.
9. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter is recommended for the best flavor and texture, but margarine can be used as a substitute.
10. How do I keep the bars soft?
Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to retain moisture.
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day Cookie Bars are a fun and festive dessert that’s easy to make and impossible to resist. With their chewy texture, sweet mix-ins, and colorful decorations, these bars are perfect for celebrating love and friendship. Bake a batch today and share the sweetness with your favorite people!
Valentine’s Day Cookie Bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20–24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Valentine’s Day cookie bars are soft, chewy, and bursting with festive colors. Packed with chocolate chips, M&M’s, and sprinkles, they’re an easy, shareable treat perfect for celebrating love and friendship!
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup Valentine’s-themed M&M’s
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup Valentine’s sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Combine the Batter:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in 3/4 of the M&M’s, the chocolate chips, and half of the sprinkles.
- Assemble the Cookie Bars:
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Press the remaining M&M’s and sprinkles on top for decoration.
- Bake:
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is just set. Be careful not to overbake, as the bars will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.
Notes
- For thicker bars, use a 9×9-inch pan and increase the baking time by 5–7 minutes.
- You can customize this recipe with white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or dark chocolate chunks.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.