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
Scale
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.
