If you have a sweet tooth and love a cookie with a delightful surprise, this Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe is just what you need to brighten your day. Imagine biting into a soft, rich chocolate cookie that melts in your mouth with an unexpected burst of colorful, gooey M&M chocolate right at its center. These cookies combine the fun crunch and sweetness of M&M’s with the deep, luscious flavor of cocoa, making every bite a joyful adventure. Whether you’re baking for a party, a treat for yourself, or sharing with loved ones, this recipe promises a show-stopping dessert that’s as playful as it is irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making these Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies truly shine. Each component adds its own magic—from the flour that forms the sturdy base to the vibrant M&M’s that bring color and texture. Here’s everything you’ll need to create this delightful treat:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for soft yet sturdy cookies.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to be fluffy and tender.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and keeps the cookies moist.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s light texture.
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Adds caramel undertones and chewiness.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds tenderness.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: A subtle flavor enhancer that rounds out the chocolate notes.
- 3/4 cup mini M&M’s: Miniature bursts of color and candy crunch mixed right into the dough.
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk): For extra pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookie.
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened): Intensifies the chocolate flavor without added sweetness.
- 8-10 M&M’s for the surprise filling (per cookie): The star of the show: a secret chocolate center hidden inside each cookie ball.
How to Make Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder. This blend creates the perfect chocolate base that’s balanced with a touch of leavening for softness and just the right hint of salt to amplify the flavors.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter along with both granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. This step adds air and gives your cookies that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Then, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to your butter and sugar base, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so be gentle here. Next, fold in the mini M&M’s and chocolate chips, distributing the colorful and melty bits evenly throughout the dough.
Step 5: Form and Fill the Cookies
Scoop out about 1 to 2 tablespoons of dough and gently flatten it. Place 2 to 3 M&M’s in the center of the dough, then carefully wrap the dough around the candies, making sure to seal them completely inside. Roll each into a ball and place them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheet so they have room to spread.
Step 6: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers are still soft and slightly underbaked. This ensures the inside of the cookie remains gooey and melts deliciously when you take a bite. Let them rest on the baking sheet to finish cooking gently before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully.
How to Serve Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of charm, sprinkle a few whole or crushed M&M’s on top of the cookies right after baking. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a pretty, festive look and a subtle sweet contrast to the rich chocolate flavor.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or hot cocoa. If you’re serving for a party, consider a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side to complement the warm, melty centers of the cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not turn these cookies into a fun dessert platter? Arrange them on a colorful plate alongside bowls of extra M&M’s and chocolate chips. You could also stack a few in a mason jar for a delightful gift or party favor that’s as charming as it is tasty.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them soft, add a slice of bread or a damp paper towel inside the container, which helps maintain moisture without making them soggy.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray and freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake the frozen dough directly from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Alternatively, fully baked cookies freeze well when stored in airtight containers and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to revive that molten center and freshly-baked texture—just be careful not to overheat, or you’ll lose the gooey surprise!
FAQs
Can I use regular-sized M&M’s instead of mini M&M’s in the dough?
Absolutely! Using regular-sized M&M’s will give a slightly different texture and appearance, but the taste will be just as delightful. Just keep in mind that larger candy pieces may alter how the dough spreads during baking.
What type of chocolate chips work best for this recipe?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are great for a balanced chocolate flavor, while milk chocolate chips offer a creamier, sweeter bite. Feel free to choose based on your personal preference or even mix both for variety.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup, you can enjoy these cookies without gluten. Just be sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binder for best results.
How do I prevent the M&M’s in the center from melting out while baking?
Wrapping the dough carefully around the center M&M’s and ensuring they are fully enclosed helps keep them from melting away. Baking at the recommended temperature and time also prevents excessive spreading that could expose the candy.
Is there a way to make these cookies vegan?
You can create a vegan version by using plant-based butter, flax or chia egg substitutes, and vegan chocolate chips and M&M’s (if available). The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be deliciously satisfying.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe is pure joy in every bite. It’s the perfect treat to brighten up any occasion or simply to indulge your chocolate cravings. The vibrant colors, gooey centers, and tender chocolate dough come together like a celebration on your taste buds. Don’t wait to try this recipe—you’ll quickly find it becoming a go-to favorite for sharing smiles and sweet moments with friends and family.
Print
Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies are a decadent treat with a gooey chocolate center encased in a rich, fudgy chocolate cookie dough packed with mini M&M’s and chocolate chips. Perfectly soft and chewy with a sweet burst of colorful candy in every bite, these cookies bring a delightful surprise and are ideal for any chocolate lover.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-ins and Filling
- 3/4 cup mini M&M’s
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- 8–10 M&M’s for the surprise filling (per cookie)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar together using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing. Stir in the mini M&M’s and chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
- Form the Cookies: Scoop out about 1 to 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your hands. Place 2 to 3 whole M&M’s in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around these candies to encase them completely. Roll into a smooth ball and place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Look for edges that are set but centers that remain soft, as this will ensure a gooey, molten chocolate center once cooled. Remember that the cookies will continue cooking slightly as they rest on the baking sheet.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. When biting into these cookies, be cautious since the chocolate centers will be molten and delightfully gooey.
Notes
- For best results, use softened unsalted butter to ensure smooth creaming with sugars.
- Do not overbake; the centers should remain soft to achieve the lava effect.
- You can substitute the M&M’s with other small candy-coated chocolates if preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To keep cookies fresh longer, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months.
