Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Bars

1 cup creamy peanut butter (don’t use natural peanut butter)
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup sugar
3 eggs + 1 egg yolk
1 Tbs vanilla extract
3 cups flour (very lightly scooped)
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
11 oz bag mini baking M&M’s

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13” metal baking dish with non-stick baking spray.

Reserve ½ cup of the mini M&M’s and set aside in a small bowl to sprinkle over top of dough.

Using an electric mixer, cream peanut butter, butter, and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until no lumps remain. Stir in chocolate chips and remaining M&M’s.

Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the reserved M&M’s over the top of the dough. Gently press the candies into the top of the dough.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Cut into squares when completely cool.

Makes 24 bar cookies

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