Preheat the oven to 350℉.

Prepare an 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.

With a stand or hand mixer, cream together the sugar and the butter in a large bowl.

Add the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the creamed butter mixture. Mix until just incorporated.

Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to the bowl.

Mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated, being sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to mix all of the ingredients thoroughly.

Fold in half of the M&M’s.

Press the cookie dough mixture into the prepared pan. You can use the backside of a spoon or a spatula to smooth out the dough.

Spread and lightly press the remaining M&Ms into the top of the cookie dough.

Bake the cookie bars for about 18-23 minutes. The bars are done when tested with a toothpick or the batter is set and the sides are golden brown.

Let the bars cool and then cut them with a sharp knife into squares and serve.