If you are searching for the ultimate festive treat to brighten up your holiday festivities, look no further than this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe. These cookies are the perfect blend of rich, buttery dough studded with vibrant red and green M&M’s and melty semi-sweet chocolate chips that deliver bursts of sweetness in every bite. They are irresistibly soft with just the right amount of crunch, making them an instant crowd-pleaser. This recipe is straightforward enough to whip up anytime you crave a holiday-inspired dessert or want to impress friends and family with a batch of colorful, delicious Christmas cookies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe is a breeze thanks to its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work harmoniously to create an irresistible holiday treat. Each component plays a key role, whether it’s adding moisture, texture, or bright festive color to the final cookie.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides rich flavor and gives the cookies their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note complementing the chocolate perfectly.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps achieve the perfect cookie chewiness.
- 2 large eggs: Binds the ingredients together while adding richness.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic touch.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that gives structure to the cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread just right.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and elevates the other flavors.
- 1 cup red and green holiday M&M’s: Brings festive color and fun, crunchy bursts in every bite.
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Adds gooey pockets of luscious chocolate throughout.
How to Make Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature when your cookies go in. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—it prevents sticking and helps your cookies bake evenly.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter along with the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key because it creates air pockets that help give your cookies a soft, tender crumb.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, crack in the eggs and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat everything together until it’s smooth and well blended. These ingredients add richness and depth of flavor to the dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to distribute the leavening agent and salt evenly throughout the flour. This ensures consistent texture and flavor in every cookie.
Step 5: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing here to keep your cookies tender rather than tough.
Step 6: Fold in M&M’s and Chocolate Chips
Now for the fun part—gently fold in the red and green holiday M&M’s along with the semi-sweet chocolate chips. This gives your cookies those signature pops of color and melty chocolate pockets that scream Christmas cheer.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Place these on your prepared baking sheet about two inches apart to allow room for spreading. For extra festive flair, press a few more M&M’s on top of each ball. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still feel soft.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, let your cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. This brief resting period lets them set up without breaking apart. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before indulging in these dazzling treats.
How to Serve Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are festive all on their own, you can amp up their holiday spirit with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate. Adding extra red and green sprinkles can also boost the visual appeal for a party table centerpiece.
Side Dishes
Pair your Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of cocoa, or even some spiced eggnog. These classic beverage companions complement the sweetness and bring out the rich chocolate flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a festive platter shaped like a Christmas tree or a snowflake for a themed presentation. Wrapping stacks of these cookies tied with a cheerful ribbon also makes for a heartfelt, homemade gift that anyone would appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe fresh by storing leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and chewy for up to one week, making them ideal for enjoying throughout the holiday season.
Freezing
If you want to bake in advance, the dough freezes beautifully. Simply shape the dough balls and freeze them on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To revive any leftover cookies, warm them in a low oven for a few minutes or microwave briefly for around 10 seconds. This refreshes their softness and melts the chocolate chips slightly for that fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I substitute the M&M’s with other candies?
Absolutely! While red and green M&M’s give a festive touch, you can swap them for any colorful candies you like or even use other holiday-themed chocolates to customize your cookies.
How do I make the cookies thicker?
Chilling the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps prevent spreading and results in thicker, chunkier cookies.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can try substituting a gluten-free flour blend to make a gluten-free version, keeping in mind texture adjustments might be necessary.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but it’s best to reduce the added salt in the recipe if using salted butter to avoid overly salty cookies.
Do I need to use parchment paper to bake these cookies?
Parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier, but you can also use a silicone baking mat or lightly grease your baking sheet as alternatives.
Final Thoughts
If you want to add a splash of color and joy to your holiday baking lineup, this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. They are as fun to make as they are to eat, and their vibrant appearance combined with delightful flavors will quickly make them a treasured seasonal favorite. So grab your ingredients, get your oven warmed up, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of these irresistible festive cookies—you won’t regret it!
Print
Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Christmas M&M Cookies combine the rich flavors of butter and chocolate with colorful holiday M&M’s for a delightful and easy-to-make dessert perfect for the holiday season. With a soft center and lightly golden edges, these cookies bring a cheerful touch to any Christmas celebration.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup red and green holiday M&M’s
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time and add the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing which can make the cookies tough.
- Fold in M&M’s and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the red and green holiday M&M’s along with the semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution without breaking the candies.
- Shape Dough Balls: Using a tablespoon, scoop heaping portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Add Extra M&M’s: For a festive look, press a few additional M&M’s on top of each dough ball before baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, until the cookie edges turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period helps them set and develop their perfect texture.
Notes
- For thicker cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking to reduce spreading.
- Customize the holiday theme by swapping out the M&M colors to match different occasions or celebrations.
- These cookies freeze well, making them a great make-ahead option or edible gift during the holidays.
