Gooey, sweet Funfetti Bars have a chocolate chip cookie base topped with marshmallows, chocolate-covered pretzels, mini M&M’s, and sprinkles.

For more Funfetti treats, try Cake Batter Cookies or Funfetti Cookies!

Funfetti bars with a piece cut out, beckoning to be savored.

Table of Contents

Funfetti Bars

These loaded bars have it all: a chocolate chip cookie base, gooey melted marshmallows, and plenty of candy on top. My mom made them for us growing up, and everyone was obsessed—she’s still known for this recipe, along with her Seven-Layer Bars and Caramelitas.

She used pre-made cookie dough for the base, which totally works, but I think a homemade base is even better. If you’re short on time, grab the ready-made dough—otherwise, I hope you love this from-scratch version as much as we do!

Preparation of the cookie base for funfetti bars, from mixing ingredients to baking.

How To Make Funfetti Bars

  1. Make the cookie base. Take your time to really cream the butter and sugars — this will create a great foundation for the cookie bars.
  2. Top the baked bars with marshmallows and briefly return to the oven.
  3. Meanwhile, chop up the chocolate-covered pretzels.
  4. Add chocolate-covered pretzels, miniature M&M’s, and sprinkles (I totally left these out in pictures, but we always have them on the bars!).
  5. Let cool fully and then cut into bars.

Switch Things Up

Pretty much any chocolate candy works on top—just chop up what you’ve got and sprinkle it on!

You can switch out the chocolate-covered pretzels and mini M&M’s for the same amount of other candy, like chocolate almonds, chopped candy bars, white chocolate pretzels, or peanut butter M&M’s.

To make them fun for holidays, use themed M&M’s and sprinkles. I shared these Spring Confetti Bars a few years ago, and they’ve been a hit since!

Adding colorful toppings to the dessert, creating a vibrant and playful treat.

Quick Tips

  • If you have a food scale, weigh the flour so the base doesn’t turn out dry or cake-like.
  • Let the funfetti bars cool all the way before cutting. They taste great warm but get really messy, so give them at least an hour.
  • Fresh, soft marshmallows make the topping taste better.
  • Mini M&M’s, called milk chocolate baking bits, are usually in the baking aisle.
  • If you want it less sweet, use semi-sweet chocolate chips, skip a few toppings, or cut smaller pieces.
Freshly baked dessert in the pan, emanating warmth and sweetness.
Funfetti bars with a piece cut out, beckoning to be savored.
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5 from 3 votes

Funfetti Bars

By Chelsea Lords
Gooey and loaded with fun, these Funfetti Bars start with a chocolate chip cookie base topped with marshmallows, M&M’s, chocolate pretzels, and sprinkles—sweet, crunchy, and irresistible!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Rest Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

Cookie Bars
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips
Toppings
  • 1-1/2 cups white miniature marshmallows
  • 1/4 cup miniature M&M’s see note 1
  • 3/4 cup chocolate-covered pretzels coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sprinkles

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper (do not skip—these bars are sticky!) and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream the room-temperature butter (not melted) with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Add baking soda, salt, flour, and chocolate chips. Beat until the dough is combined and smooth. It will be a bit wet.
  • Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 19–23 minutes or until lightly golden brown at the edges and firm in the center (shouldn’t be glossy).
  • Remove from the oven and top with the marshmallows. Bake for 1 and 1/2 more minutes and remove from the oven to a cooling rack.
  • Top with the mini M&M’s, coarsely chopped chocolate pretzels, and sprinkles.
  • Let Funfetti Bars cool at room temperature for at least an hour, then cut into bars (with a hot sharp knife—run under hot water, dry, cut, repeat), and enjoy. These are best enjoyed within the same day because of the marshmallows.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Mini M&M’s can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores; they’re labeled as M&M milk chocolate baking bits.
Storage: If you have leftovers, you can keep these bars, tightly covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, but the marshmallow does lose flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Meet Chelsea

Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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16 Comments

  1. Suzy says:

    5 stars
    The best kind of bars! Love how it has a little something for everyone! Kids go nuts for them!

    Reply
  2. Natasha says:

    5 stars
    Just looking at the pictures made my mouth water so I decided to give this recipe a try with my kids. They definitely had fun, we had a good bonding moment, they LOVED this dessert so much. This is on top of the list for sure!

    Reply
  3. Alisha says:

    5 stars
    These are cute AND yummy 🙂

    Reply
  4. Chichi says:

    These are incredibly cute, Chelsea

    Reply
  5. Brodie Wright says:

    Hi Chelsea – came across the divine little bites of goodness on Foodgawker. Your pics are absolutely gorgeous! Bravo!

    Reply
    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Thank you so much Brodie!

      Reply