Halloween Cookie Bars

These fun and festive Halloween Cookie Bars are chewy, chocolatey, and totally delicious! You can cut them into 9 large bars, 18 spooky rectangles, or 27 mini squares that are perfect for a party!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword 3 Minute Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 218kcal

Author Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons

Equipment

8x8 inch metal square baking pan (not glass)

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (20 grams)
½ cup light brown sugar, packed (100 grams)
⅓ cup granulated sugar (67 grams)
1 large egg
½ tsp pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste
1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour (165 grams)
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups chocolate chips (255 grams)
3-4 TBSP halloween sprinkles
3 TBSP mini or regular M&Ms (optional)

Instructions

PREP

Preheat oven to 350℉.
For easy dough assembly, measure out all the ingredients first.
Prepare a 8x8 baking pan by lining it with foil and spraying (or rubbing) with a little oil. Even baking and easy cleanup is the name of the game here!

For this recipe you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, an electric hand mixer, or a wooden spoon. I typically use my hand mixer for this one.

MAKE THE COOKIE DOUGH

Melt butter in a large heat-safe bowl and stir in cocoa powder.
Add both brown and granulated sugar to the butter mix until smooth. Next add eggs and vanilla and mix on medium speed until combined.
Next stir in the baking soda and salt and mix well.
Sprinkle the flour on top and slowly mix into the wet ingredients until incorporated, taking care not to overmix. Next sprinkle almost all of the chocolate chips into the dough, saving a few spoonfuls for adding on top of the cookies at the end. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

GET BAKING!

Press the dough into your prepared baking pan in one even layer. Top with sprinkles.
Bake at 350℉ on the center rack for 20-24 minutes. Check for doneness at the 20 minute mark and go from there. The bars will be done when they lose their glossy sheen on top and barely jiggle when the pan is scooted side to side.
While they're still warm from the oven, press the remaining chocolate chips and optional M&M candies into the tops of the bars and allow them to cool completely before cutting. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutrition Facts below are estimated per bar (when opting for 18 rectangle slices) using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based on number of slices cut and enjoy! If you need help calculating it I am happy to help!

Nutrition