Easy M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe

The holidays are all about warmth, love, and of course, delicious treats! There’s something magical about the scent of freshly baked cookies filling your home, isn’t there? It reminds me of cozy evenings by the fire, Christmas carols playing softly, and the sheer joy of sharing homemade goodness. And when it comes to holiday baking, these M&M Christmas Cookies are an absolute must-have. They’re so incredibly easy to whip up, incredibly festive, and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone, from your little elves to the grown-ups.

Why You’ll Love M&M Christmas Cookies

• Fast: Get that holiday baking done in a flash!
• Easy: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Giftable: Package them up for a sweet, homemade present.
• Crowd-pleasing: Everyone adores these colorful, chewy delights!

Ingredients

Get ready to gather your goodies! You’ll need just a few pantry staples for these festive cookies:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of our delicious cookies.
• 1 tsp baking soda: To give our cookies that perfect lift and tenderness.
• 1 cup salted sweet cream butter, softened: Make sure it’s nice and soft for easy creaming.
• ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds a lovely caramel note and chewy texture.
• ½ cup granulated sugar: For that classic cookie sweetness.
• 2 tsp vanilla extract: The secret ingredient that enhances all the other flavors!
• 1 large egg, room temperature: Helps bind everything together beautifully.
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Because what’s a cookie without chocolate?
• 1 cup red and green M&M’s, plus additional for tops of cookies: These are the stars of our Christmas show!

How to Make M&M Christmas Cookies

Let’s get baking! This recipe is so straightforward, you’ll be amazed at how quickly these festive cookies come together.

1. First things first, grab a medium mixing bowl and whisk together your all-purpose flour and baking soda. Pop that aside for a moment.
2. Now, get your stand mixer ready (or a handheld mixer will work just fine!). Cream your softened butter on medium-high speed for about 1 minute. You want it nice and fluffy.
3. Time for the sugars! Add your light brown sugar and granulated sugar to the butter and mix for another 1 to 1½ minutes. It should look light and airy.
4. Next, add in your vanilla extract and the room-temperature egg. Mix it all up until it’s completely combined and looking smooth.
5. Gradually add in your flour mixture and mix on low speed just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix here – we want tender cookies!
6. Now for the fun part! Gently fold in those yummy chocolate chips and, of course, the festive red and green M&M’s.
7. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This is my little trick to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze!
8. Using a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop (this helps ensure all your cookies are the same size!), scoop out balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Give them a little space so they don’t touch – they’ll spread a bit while baking.
9. Pop that baking sheet into the freezer. Make sure it’s lying flat so your cookie dough balls keep their shape. Freeze them for at least 30 minutes, or if you’re planning ahead, you can even freeze them overnight. This step is key for perfectly shaped cookies!
10. Preheat your oven to 350°F. While the oven is getting to temperature, take your frozen cookie dough balls out of the freezer. Get two more baking sheets ready with parchment paper.
11. Arrange the frozen cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them.
12. Bake those frozen dough balls for 16-18 minutes. You’re looking for edges that are lightly golden brown and a center that’s just set. They’ll continue to cook a little as they cool.
13. Once they’re done, carefully take the cookies out of the oven. While they’re still warm, gently press 6-8 extra M&M’s onto the top of each cookie. This gives them that extra festive flair!
14. Let your beautiful cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling creative? These cookies are wonderfully adaptable!

• Chocolate Chip Swap: If you’re not a fan of semi-sweet, feel free to use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips.
• Candy Variations: While red and green M&M’s are classic for Christmas, you can use any color M&M’s for any occasion! Try them with holiday-themed candies too.
• Nutty Delight: For a bit of crunch, you could add about ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough along with the chocolate chips and M&M’s.
• Peppermint Twist: A teaspoon of peppermint extract added with the vanilla can give these a lovely festive minty kick.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets to make your M&M Christmas Cookies absolutely perfect:

• Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted. This will give you the best cookie texture.
• Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until it disappears. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
• The Freezer is Your Friend: Freezing the dough balls before baking is crucial for preventing excessive spreading and ensuring those nice, thick cookies.
• Room Temperature Egg: Using a room temperature egg helps it incorporate more smoothly into the dough, resulting in a better texture. If you forget to take your egg out, just pop it in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes.
• Bake in Batches: If you find your cookies are browning too quickly on the bottom, try baking them on the middle rack of your oven.

I’ve found that when I bake a big batch, I sometimes like to keep some dough balls in the freezer for those spontaneous cookie cravings. It’s like having a little bit of holiday magic ready to go at any moment! You might also enjoy my recipe for soft-baked M&M cookies if you prefer an even chewier texture.

How to Store M&M Christmas Cookies

These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they store beautifully too, making them perfect for holiday gift-giving or just keeping a stash on hand.

• Once completely cooled, store your M&M Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
• They will stay fresh and delicious for about 3-5 days.
• For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

FAQs

Q: Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can make the dough up to 2-3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just let it soften slightly at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before scooping and freezing as directed.

Q: My cookies spread too much. What did I do wrong?
A: The most common reason for cookies spreading too much is not chilling the dough long enough, or using softened (not room temperature) butter. Ensure your butter is softened and your dough balls are properly frozen before baking.

Q: Can I use other types of M&M’s?
A: Yes! While red and green are festive, feel free to use any color or variety of M&M’s you like. Peanut M&M’s are also a fantastic addition for a nutty crunch!

Q: How do I get the extra M&M’s to stick to the top?
A: Gently press them into the cookies right after they come out of the oven. The residual heat will help them adhere nicely.

Don’t forget to share your beautiful creations! You can also find more delicious recipes and baking inspiration when you follow our Pinterest account. Happy Baking!