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
Scale
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.
