Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prepare Your Pan and Oven
- First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick spray. For even easier removal and clean slicing, line the baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. Set the prepared dish aside.
Mix the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of malted milk powder. Mix these ingredients together until they are just combined and a thick dough forms. Be careful not to overmix. Once that is done, gently fold in the Easter M&M candies and the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Spread the Dough
- The dough will be thick and sticky, which is exactly what we want for a chewy texture. Use lightly greased or damp fingers to press the dough evenly into your prepared 9x13 baking pan, making sure to get it into all the corners. For an extra festive touch and a beautiful presentation, press a few additional Easter M&Ms and semi-sweet chocolate chips onto the top of the dough before it goes into the oven.
Bake and Cool
- Bake the bars for 20-25 minutes. When they are done, the edges should be lightly golden, but the center should still look slightly soft. Do not worry; they will continue to set as they cool. This is the secret to a perfect chewy texture. It is crucial to allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before you even think about slicing them. This ensures clean, neatly cut squares and prevents them from crumbling.
Nutrition
Notes
These cookie bars are best served at room temperature. For a decadent treat, serve slightly warm with vanilla bean ice cream. The malted milk powder and flaky sea salt are key to their unique flavor and elevate these bars.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.