A cooling plate module for fuel cell stacks contains an anode-side terminal plate and a cathode-side terminal plate, whose mutually facing surfaces functioning as cooling surfaces tightly enclose a coolant distribution structure and are joined to one another by a bonding agent. The bonding agent is applied to the cooling surfaces exclusively outside the coolant distribution structure surrounded by a seal, so that the bonding agent and coolant do not contact one another. Since the current transport between the terminal plates takes place principally via contact elements disposed in the coolant structure, it is not necessary for the bonding agent to be electrically conducting.