If you’re searching for that perfect holiday treat that brings both the joy of vibrant colors and irresistible flavors, look no further than this M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe. These cookies combine a buttery, tender base with the crunch and sweetness of M&M’s and chocolate chips, making every bite a festive celebration. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just indulging yourself, this recipe adds a delightful pop of holiday cheer to your kitchen, guaranteed to light up faces young and old alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, working together to create cookies that are soft, flavorful, and joyfully colorful. From the creamy butter to the crunchy M&M’s, these simple ingredients come together to build texture, sweetness, and that iconic Christmas vibe.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature: Provides richness and helps achieve that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds a subtle caramel flavor that deepens the cookie’s taste and keeps them soft.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the perfect cookie structure.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and helps with moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, comforting aroma that enhances every bite.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough, providing the perfect bite.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Leavens the dough gently to get that soft but slightly chewy texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 cup M&M’s (plus a little more for the tops): Brings festive color and a satisfying crunch.
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Adds bursts of melty chocolate that complement the M&M’s beautifully.
How to Make M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to keep your cookies from sticking and ensure even baking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This keeps all your dry components evenly mixed and ready to combine later.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter with both the brown and granulated sugars. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer at medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, usually around 2 minutes. Creaming is the magic step that gives cookies their softness and structure, so don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Mix the egg and vanilla extract into your creamed butter and sugar until fully combined. This step enriches the dough and introduces moisture that helps hold everything together perfectly.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating just until combined. Overmixing here can toughen your cookies, so a gentle hand is key. Once combined, fold in the cup of M&M’s and chocolate chips carefully so the candies stay intact and evenly distributed.
Step 5: Scoop and Decorate
Using a medium cookie scoop or your hands, portion out about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them a few inches apart to allow for spreading. For an extra festive pop, gently press a few additional M&M’s onto the tops of each cookie ball before baking. This gives a colorful, snowy look reminiscent of holiday decorations.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, keeping a close eye—the cookies should barely brown on the edges while still looking slightly soft in the center. This is the secret to wonderfully soft cookies; they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here means beautifully tender results!
How to Serve M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a pinch of festive colored sugar or even a dusting of powdered sugar around your serving plate for added holiday sparkle. If you want to get fancy, drizzle some melted white chocolate over cooled cookies to mimic snowflakes, elevating your presentation while adding a creamy sweetness.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with classic holiday treats like a warm mug of hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk. For a more grown-up twist, try serving alongside a spiced eggnog or a rich coffee blend to complement the chocolate and candy flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe on a festive platter lined with evergreen sprigs or holiday-themed napkins to bring out the Christmas spirit visually. You can also package them in decorative tins or clear cellophane bags with red ribbons to share the joy with friends and family as a heartfelt gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh for up to five days. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain moisture, ensuring every bite stays irresistibly tender.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray and freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well in sealed containers for up to three months, perfect for holiday prep.
Reheating
To revive the soft texture of your cookies, warm them in a microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This little trick brings back that freshly baked warmth and melty chocolate goodness we all crave.
FAQs
Can I substitute M&M’s with another candy?
Absolutely! While M&M’s provide that classic combination of color and crunch, feel free to experiment with other small candies or even chopped nuts to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
What if I don’t have semi-sweet chocolate chips?
No worries! You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips instead. Each type will give the cookies a slightly different flavor profile, but all delicious in their own way.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted to avoid excessive spreading. Also, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help maintain their shape better in the oven.
Is this recipe good for making cookie gift boxes?
Definitely! The bright colors and festive flavors of the M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe make them a wonderful homemade gift that anyone would appreciate during the holidays.
Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
Yes! Simply double the ingredients and bake in batches. Just keep an eye on baking times, as oven temperature and cookie size can affect how quickly they bake.
Final Thoughts
This M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe is more than just a holiday treat—it’s a joyful experience that brings color, warmth, and sweet memories to your kitchen. The ease of the recipe paired with the festive flair makes it an absolute must-bake during the season. I promise once you try these, they’ll become a beloved staple in your holiday traditions. So, roll up your sleeves, grab those M&M’s, and get baking!
Print
M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive M&M Christmas Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces. Perfect for holiday celebrations, they’re easy to make with simple ingredients, featuring a buttery dough mixed with classic M&M’s and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Enjoy a delightful treat that’s both fun to bake and delicious to share.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup M&M’s
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Additional M&M’s for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and allow easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients together until evenly mixed and set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, creating a smooth and creamy batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Candies: Gently fold in 1 cup of M&M’s and the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Be careful not to break the candies to maintain their texture and appearance.
- Form Cookies: Using a medium cookie scoop or measuring 2 tablespoons, scoop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2-3 inches apart to allow for spreading. For smoother edges, roll the dough balls gently with your hands. Press a few extra M&M’s onto the tops for a festive look.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown slightly but the centers still appear soft. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies chewy.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing the cookies to firm up as they cool.
Notes
- Do not overbake; cookies will look slightly underdone in the center but will firm as they cool.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake and for crisper cookies, bake closer to 10 minutes.
- Room temperature butter is essential for proper creaming and texture.
- You can substitute M&M’s with any candy-coated chocolates for variety.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
