If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that embodies festive cheer and irresistible flavor, this M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe has got you covered. These cookies are a delightful celebration of buttery dough packed with colorful M&M’s and melty chocolate chips, creating a crunchy and chewy texture combo that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re baking up a batch as a gift, for a holiday party, or simply to enjoy with a warm drink by the fireplace, this recipe promises to bring that joyful Christmas spirit to your kitchen and your taste buds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the foundation of any great cookie, and this M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe is no different. Each ingredient plays a special role, from the creamy butter that gives richness to the dough, to the festive M&M’s that add vibrant pops of color and sweetness. You’ll find the combination straightforward but essential for crafting the perfect holiday treat.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Using softened butter ensures your cookie dough will cream beautifully for that ideal texture.
- Light brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor, making the cookies tender and flavorful.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Balances the brown sugar with just the right amount of sweetness and crispness.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients together and helps with the cookie’s soft yet chewy consistency.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A little vanilla goes a long way in enhancing the flavor complexity of these cookies.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The structure builder for the dough; measure carefully for perfect cookies every time.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Makes sure your cookies rise just enough without getting cakey.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies the other flavors.
- M&M’s (1 cup, plus extra for topping): The star feature adding colorful crunch and festive fun in each bite.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1/2 cup): Melts into pockets of gooey goodness that perfectly complement the M&M’s.
How to Make M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking. Then, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl—this step makes sure your leavening is evenly distributed, helping your cookies rise just right.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for about two minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This beats air into the dough that helps your cookies have a tender texture and slight lift. It’s also a great point to pause and enjoy the sweet butter aroma filling your kitchen!
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. The egg brings the dough together while vanilla gives a lovely warm, fragrant undertone that balances the sweetness. Make sure to scrape down your bowl for an even mix.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients, Fold in Candy
Add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, beating just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so be gentle here. Then gently fold in the M&M’s and semi-sweet chocolate chips to keep them intact and evenly scattered throughout the dough—this step is where the cookie really starts to get interesting!
Step 5: Scoop, Shape, and Decorate
Using a medium cookie scoop, measure out about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and place onto your baking sheet. If you prefer, roll the dough into smooth balls by hand to get nicely shaped cookies with smooth edges. Press a few extra M&M’s on top for that extra festive look that screams holiday fun before baking.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them—the edges should start to brown slightly but the centers might still look soft. Resist the urge to overbake because the cookies will continue cooking a bit once out of the oven. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are festive on their own, adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzling melted white chocolate over them adds an elegant holiday touch. A sprinkle of crushed peppermint can also enhance the Christmas vibe and add a refreshing crunch.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of cocoa, or even a spiced holiday latte. Their sweet and colorful nature makes them perfect companions to any festive beverage, intensifying that cozy feeling during the holidays.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these cookies on a holiday-themed platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine for that extra seasonal charm. Wrapping several in cellophane tied with ribbon transforms them into easy and thoughtful gifts that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your baked M&M Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This keeps them soft and flavorful, perfect for nibbling throughout the festive season.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once solid for up to three months. When ready to bake, just add an extra minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well if wrapped tightly in plastic and foil for maximum freshness.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, simply warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This revives their soft center and slightly melty chocolate chips, making them taste freshly baked again.
FAQs
Can I substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips?
Absolutely! You can swap semi-sweet chips for milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips depending on your preference. Each option will give the cookies a slightly different but delicious twist.
What’s the best way to keep M&M’s from fading color during baking?
Using M&M’s made specifically for baking or candy-coated chocolates helps maintain the vibrant colors. Pressing a few M&M’s on top of each cookie before baking also ensures the color stays bright and festive.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to keep the cookies from crumbling.
How do I make my cookies chewier?
For chewier cookies, you can add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar and slightly underbake the cookies by removing them when the centers are still very soft.
Are these cookies suitable for kids to help make?
Definitely! This M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe is simple enough that kids can get involved with scooping, rolling dough balls, and pressing the candy decorations—making it a perfect holiday baking activity.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about this M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe that makes holiday baking feel extra special. The bright colors, sweet chocolate bites, and comforting cookie dough combine to create a treat sure to bring smiles and warmth to any festive gathering. I hope you have as much fun making (and eating) these as I do every year!
Print
M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These M&M Christmas Cookies are festive, colorful, and packed with chocolate candy and chips for a delightful holiday treat. Soft and chewy with a perfect balance of sweetness, they are easy to make and ideal for sharing during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 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
Add-ins
- 1 cup M&M’s (plus a little more for the tops)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add egg and vanilla: Mix in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the creamed butter and sugars.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in candies and chips: Gently fold in the M&M’s and semi-sweet chocolate chips using a spatula, taking care not to break the candies.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheet: Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out about 2 tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet spaced a few inches apart. Optionally, roll the dough balls by hand for smoother edges. Press additional M&M’s onto the tops for a festive appearance.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown. The centers may look slightly underbaked; this is normal as the cookies will firm up while cooling.
- Cool the cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Do not overbake to ensure soft, chewy cookies.
- Using room temperature butter helps create a smooth dough and even texture.
- Pressing extra M&M’s on top adds visual appeal and a festive touch.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
