What’s better than cheesecake? Cheesecake and cookies, of course! These M&M Cheesecake Cookie Bars are the ultimate treat—soft, chewy cookie layers sandwiching a creamy cheesecake filling, all studded with colorful M&Ms for extra fun. They're easy to make, ridiculously delicious, and guaranteed to disappear fast!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I think we all have a slight obsession with decadent desserts—those mashups of our favorite things rolled into one epic bite. Slutty Brownies are a perfect example, and so are these M&M Cheesecake Cookie Bars! This three-layer dessert combines soft cookie dough, creamy cheesecake, and more cookie dough sprinkled with thematic M&Ms, then baked to perfection. The cookie dough couldn’t be easier to whip up, the cheesecake layer is a breeze compared to a traditional cheesecake, and together they’re next-level amazing. It’s everything you love about M&M cookie bars, elevated to pure dessert bliss!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Unsalted butter, room temperature
- Brown sugar
- White sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Christmas M&M's
- Plain cream cheese
- For a full list of ingredients, see the recipe card below
How to Make
Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large stand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
On low speed, gradually mix in the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder until a dough forms. Toss in 1 cup of Christmas M&M’s and mix for just a second to distribute them evenly. Chill the dough in the refrigerator while you prepare the cheesecake layer.
Make the Cheesecake Layer: In a separate bowl, whip the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract together for about 3 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with foil, allowing some overhang for easy removal, and spray it with non-stick baking spray.
Assemble the Bars: Press half of the chilled cookie dough into the prepared pan to form an even layer at the bottom. Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cookie dough layer.
Crumble the remaining cookie dough on top of the cheesecake layer and sprinkle the remaining M&M’s over the top.
Bake: Place the pan of M&M Cheesecake Cookie Bars in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the cookie dough is golden brown. The center may still look slightly jiggly, but don’t worry—it will firm up as it cools.
Cool and Serve: Let the M&M Cheesecake Cookie Bars cool on the counter for 30 minutes, then transfer the pan to the refrigerator to chill completely for at least 2 hours. Once set, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil overhang, cut into squares, and enjoy!
Pro Tip: For neat slices, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts!
Tips & Tricks
Room Temperature Ingredients:
Make sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth, creamy texture in the cookie and cheesecake layers.
Don’t Overmix the Dough:
When combining the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients for the cookie dough, mix just until combined to keep the cookie layers soft and tender.
Line Your Baking Dish:
Use parchment paper with overhangs to make removing the bars from the pan a breeze and ensure clean, easy cuts.
Layer Evenly:
Press the bottom cookie dough layer evenly into the pan, spread the cheesecake layer smoothly, and gently add the top cookie layer to avoid mixing layers.
Chill Before Cutting:
Allow the bars to cool completely and chill in the fridge for at least an hour before cutting for neat, clean slices.
Bake with Care:
Keep an eye on the baking time—pull them out when the edges are golden, and the center looks set but slightly jiggly for a perfectly gooey texture.
FAQ's
Can I make M&M Cheesecake Cookie Bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars can be made a day ahead. Store them in the fridge, covered, and slice just before serving.
Can I freeze M&M Cheesecake Cookie Bars?
Yes, they freeze well! Cut them into squares, layer them between parchment paper in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
How do I know when the M&M Cheesecake Cookie Bars are done baking?
The edges should be golden brown, and the center should look set but slightly soft. Avoid overbaking to keep the cheesecake layer creamy.
Similar Recipes
M&M Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Ingredients
For the Cookie Layer
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature (Tillamook unsalted is my preference)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup M&M’s
For the Cheesecake Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese room temp (again, Tillamook is my fav)
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large stand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.On low speed, gradually mix in the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder until a dough forms. Toss in 1 cup of Christmas M&M’s and mix for just a second to distribute them evenly. Chill the dough in the refrigerator while you prepare the cheesecake layer.
- Make the Cheesecake Layer: In a separate bowl, whip the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract together for about 3 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with foil, allowing some overhang for easy removal, and spray it with non-stick baking spray.
- Assemble the Bars: Press half of the chilled cookie dough into the prepared pan to form an even layer at the bottom. Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cookie dough layer.Crumble the remaining cookie dough on top of the cheesecake layer and sprinkle the remaining M&M’s over the top
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the cookie dough is golden brown. The center may still look slightly jiggly, but don’t worry—it will firm up as it cools
- Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool on the counter for 30 minutes, then transfer the pan to the refrigerator to chill completely for at least 2 hours. Once set, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil overhang, cut into squares, and enjoy!
- Pro Tip: For neat slices, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photography by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
Can the be frozen
YES
After they cool do they need to be stored in the fridge?
I store in the fridge if they won't be eaten same day