5 Ingredient M&M Peanut Butter Bars

by Rachel on September 27, 2011 · 50 comments

in Cookies & Bars, Desserts

I’m not even kidding. There are FIVE ingredients in this recipe!

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + oven = Delicious!

6 – 1 = Easy!

Peanut Butter + M&Ms = Happy!

Math lesson over. Moving on.

I saved that picture as “Oh-Yum.” Seems to me it is much more descriptive than “M&M-Peanut-Butter-Bars-3.” Tell me you don’t agree!

These bars are not only insanely easy to make, but they are so delicious. Soft, chewy, and super sweet. I’d recommend a big glass of milk and coffee. And small bites that savor each morsel. Notice I said small bites, not small bars.

M&M Peanut Butter Bars
adapted from What Megan’s Making

3/4 cup peanut butter (I used creamy, but I bet chunky would be great too!)
2 large eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick, for example)
1 bag of M&Ms (I used regular–but now I’m thinking peanut butter M&Ms would be W-O-W)

1. Preheat oven to 325*F. Spray an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
2. Combine peanut butter and eggs until well mixed and smooth.
3. Add in brown sugar and stir until combined.
4. Stir in baking mix until moistened (I used my hands because the spoon wasn’t cutting it for me–it is a very thick batter).
5. Fold in M&Ms. Again, using my hands worked best for this step. Not all of the M&Ms stuck in the batter (or perhaps it would be more accurate to call it dough). I just shoved them in when I put it all in the pan.
6. Spread mixture in greased pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

Verdict: I think I covered this already, but if you weren’t listening–they are delicious! VERY sweet though, in all seriousness, they are best in moderation.
Husband’s take: He didn’t have any. He’s not the biggest fan of peanut butter desserts. Crazzzzzy. I’m quite sure he was silently cursing me for not making his favorite treat.
1-year-old daughter’s take: None of these for her! Sorry kiddo. Now, before you start thinking that I ate the whole pan–I brought these to the kid’s birthday party to share with family and friends.
Changes I would make: None!
Difficulty: Five ingredients folks. Should we review the math lesson? This recipe is EASY!

{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Ashley@BakerbyNature September 27, 2011 at 7:17 am

The 8 year old in me just got very excited; I use to eat these everyday as a kid. Yumm!!!

Reply

2 Christina @ This Woman Cooks! September 27, 2011 at 7:44 am

Thanks for the math lesson. :) Those M&M’s are popping out of your photos! I want, I want, I want!

Reply

3 Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts September 27, 2011 at 8:05 am

Yes Please!! I think I could down that pan in day – it looks so good! Can’t wait to try these, and I will be trying your PB M&M suggestion!

Reply

4 Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray September 27, 2011 at 8:51 am

These look incredible–it seems too good to be true that I only need five things to make them! Or perhaps just too dangerous… :)

Reply

5 Mal @ The Chic Geek September 27, 2011 at 9:24 am

Simple and delicious looking, great recipe!

Reply

6 Erin September 27, 2011 at 9:53 am

Wow I cannot believe these have bisquick in them. I would’ve never guessed. And I am totally with you on the peanut butter M&Ms. I just so happen to have bought a bag recently… O:-)

Reply

7 Lori @ RecipeGirl September 27, 2011 at 10:08 am

LOVE these! Great, easy dessert :)

Reply

8 Melissa@IWasBornToCook September 27, 2011 at 10:40 am

These look great! Love the ease.

Reply

9 Deborah September 27, 2011 at 10:44 am

Want to send some my way? :)

Reply

10 Rachel September 27, 2011 at 12:11 pm

If there were any left, I would be more than happy to get them out of my house! ;)

Reply

11 Liz @ Southern Charm September 27, 2011 at 11:28 am

Wow! This looks amazing and is so simple. Love!

Reply

12 kita September 27, 2011 at 12:43 pm

Im 5 ingredient sold! These look awesome!

Reply

13 Rachel @ Baked by Rachel September 27, 2011 at 2:27 pm

using the traditional m&ms makes them so bright and colorful! Love :)

Reply

14 Chris @ TheKeenanCookBook September 27, 2011 at 3:57 pm

You can’t go wrong with this math. And I agree with Rachel, the M&M’s add so much color and fun. Wish there were some left for you to share with us!

Reply

15 Aggie September 27, 2011 at 7:05 pm

I can handle 5 recipes when it comes to baking!! Yum!

Reply

16 Nancy September 27, 2011 at 7:58 pm

And I have to say…they were delicious! I was at the birthday party and I passed on the cake but couldn’t pass these by–mmmmmm.

Reply

17 Vicki Bensinger September 27, 2011 at 8:12 pm

You had me with the title. It could have had 20 ingredients. That’s right 11+9=20 or 30-10=20. It wouldn’t have mattered. M&M’s AND Peanut Butter! YUM!

Reply

18 Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom} September 27, 2011 at 11:36 pm

How do I love thee…let me count the ways! Okay, no more math but I am going to have to make these!

Reply

19 Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen September 30, 2011 at 7:16 pm

YUM indeed! Those look dangerously good.

Reply

20 Emily @ Life on Food October 2, 2011 at 4:26 pm

I am going to the kitchen now. I made cookies not to long ago like this but the M&Ms up the bounty big time. Love it!

Reply

21 carly {carlyklock} October 3, 2011 at 9:41 pm

These look unbelievable. I’m with you – just as excited about a 5 ingredient recipe! Wahoooooooo!

Reply

22 Rachel October 4, 2011 at 8:04 am

They ARE unbelievable! Let me know if you try them!

Reply

23 katie October 14, 2011 at 9:36 am

My mouth is salivating just thinking about these. Stop posting such great recipes! I feel fat already! lol.

Reply

24 Rachel November 20, 2011 at 6:30 pm

I made these with flour and peanut butter M&M!s and they are amazing!!!! Thank you for sharing the recipe!

Reply

25 Rachel November 21, 2011 at 8:14 am

Glad you liked them! Thanks for commenting :)

Reply

26 Lori November 28, 2011 at 10:12 pm

What if you substituted the peanut butter for nutella?

Reply

27 Rachel November 29, 2011 at 11:00 am

Hmm–I don’t see why that wouldn’t work. I haven’t tried it, so no guarantees, but I definitely think it is worth a shot, sounds amazing! Let me know how it goes if you try it.

Reply

28 Jody G November 29, 2011 at 1:15 pm

What size bag of M&Ms did you use? :-) My mother gave me a color assortment plastic box thing full of M&Ms so trying to figure out about how many!

Reply

29 Rachel November 29, 2011 at 1:33 pm

I used the medium sized bag–I believe it is in the vicinity of 12oz.

Reply

30 Ally S December 1, 2011 at 4:24 pm

I JUST made these and they are delish! I used the mini milk chocolate m&m’s and just about a cup of them. So yummy and easy to make! Thanks!

Reply

31 Rachel December 1, 2011 at 8:22 pm

Hooray! Glad you liked them, thank you so much for coming back to tell me :)

Reply

32 annette anderson December 23, 2011 at 2:18 pm

These are wonderful! So easy to make. I just mixed up a batch for a Christmas dinner tonight. Finally a different, and easy recipe!

Reply

33 Rachel December 24, 2011 at 10:57 am

I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Merry Christmas! :)

Reply

34 Kate January 24, 2012 at 1:01 am

Can the “all purpose baking mix” be the just-add-water kind? What do you recommend? These look fantastic!

Reply

35 Rachel January 25, 2012 at 9:57 pm

Probably! Definitely worth a shot!

Reply

36 Sharee February 11, 2012 at 12:00 am

I am at lost for words. I LOVE these. Right look, right texture, and *definitely right flavor. To say these are a keeper would be an understatement. Thanks for the share! :)

Reply

37 Rachel February 11, 2012 at 9:29 am

Thanks for the nice comment! They were delicious!

Reply

38 Julie February 26, 2012 at 6:50 pm

These are amazing!!! I made them with peanut butter m&m’s this time, soooo good! Next time I am going to try regular m&m’s and add some chopped peanuts as well :)
Thanks for the recipe!!

Reply

39 Rachel February 26, 2012 at 8:18 pm

Mmmmm, peanut butter m&ms. Peanuts sound great too, or just chunky peanut butter. Glad you enjoyed!

Reply

40 Marina March 5, 2012 at 2:12 pm

I don’t have Bisquick but I do I have Krusteaz pancake mix, could I use that? Can’t wait to try these!

Reply

41 Rachel March 5, 2012 at 3:09 pm

Hmm, I’m really not sure! I don’t think they have quite the same ingredients so it might not work. Worth a shot though–let me know if you do end up trying it!

Reply

42 Marina March 11, 2012 at 5:23 pm

I ended up getting Bisquick with a coupon :-) These were DELICIOUS! Mine were soft on the inside which I love!

Reply

43 Lelah March 7, 2012 at 9:34 pm

Just made these and they were amazing. Thank you so much for the recipe!!!

Reply

44 Sharie March 11, 2012 at 8:00 pm

Saw these on pinterest. We love easy, delicious recipes. This was so good and easy. I do think that next time we will use fewer m&m’s and will try the peanut butter m&m’s. Great recipe! Everyone should try at least once!

Reply

45 Rachel March 12, 2012 at 7:54 am

Thank you Sharie! Peanut M&Ms would be GREAT in these!

Reply

46 Nora March 28, 2012 at 9:56 pm

Can I use just regular flour?

Reply

47 Rachel March 29, 2012 at 7:56 am

No, but I searched online and found that you can substitute for Bisquick using this formula (found on Wikipedia):

2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons oil or melted butter

Make it a little more than 5 ingredients, but at least you won’t have to make a special trip to the store! Let me know how it works out!

Reply

48 Nora March 29, 2012 at 12:40 pm

Thank you I will :)

Reply

49 Anika April 5, 2012 at 1:15 pm

OMW!!! These are SO super easy and quick to make!! Made some as a surprise for my husband and I hope he likes them!! I am also making some for Easter with Easter colored M&M’s :)

Reply

50 Rachel April 5, 2012 at 3:36 pm

I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I love the idea of Easter M&Ms! Fun :)

Reply

Welcome! Thanks for visiting...I would love to hear from you!

Previous post:

Next post: