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
Scale
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.
