It’s Easter weekend!  We hope you have a wonderful celebration with family and friends.  Do you have plenty to fill up those Easter baskets?  Are you like me and think, “maybe I should just pick up one more bag” . . . then on Easter I realize the Easter bunny got a little too carried away with chicks and peeps and chocolate bunnies!

If you do end up with a surplus, stash it to use in these Chopped Candy Cookie Bars – they are simple to mix up {no mixer needed} – and they are always a crowd pleaser.   Just chopped up your candy and throw it in – you’ll end up with one fabulous cookie treat!

Our favorite includes lots of Reese’s peanut butter cups, but you can use whatever you have on hand or experiment to find your perfect combination!

Chopped Candy Cookie Bars

Ingredients

1 cup butter, melted

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla (yes that is tablespoon)

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped Peeps or 1 cup mini marshmallows

1 1/2 cup chopped peanut butter cups

1/2 cup chopped chocolate candy such as Cadbury eggs, Snickers, Rolo, etc.

1/2 cup M&M candies

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°

In a large bowl, mix together butter and sugars until smooth.  Stir in eggs and vanilla.  Add flour and salt and mix until just incorporated.  Fold in candy pieces except M&Ms.

Pour batter into a 13×9 pan coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle the M&Ms on top and gently press in.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are lightly brown.  Cool on wire rack.

*Note – use any combination of chocolate candy to make 2 1/2 cups in place of last three ingredients.

FYI,  this Easter Sunday, March 31, is also Jocelyn’s birthday!  {As you can see, the bunny theme was always convenient}  Happy Birthday to my amazing daughter, friend, and blog partner! 

Be sure to leave a comment and wish her a happy birthday!