If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that’s bursting with color, flavor, and pure holiday joy, you’re in for a real treat with this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies come out soft, chewy, and dotted with those vibrant red and green M&Ms that make every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re baking for your family, wrapping up gifts, or just craving something sweet to brighten your day, these cookies deliver all the merry feels you want from a Christmas cookie.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items—just pantry staples and your favorite Christmas M&Ms.
- Festive & Fun: The red and green M&Ms make these cookies instantly festive and perfect for holiday gatherings or gifts.
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, these cookies take less than 20 minutes to prep and bake.
- Soft & Chewy Texture: I discovered this recipe when searching for a soft Christmas cookie that holds the M&Ms perfectly without getting too crispy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together in harmony to create that dreamy, chewy Christmas cookie everyone loves. Let me share some tips on a few key ingredients so your cookies get that perfect texture and flavor every time.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened but not melted is key for a creamy base and tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: The combo adds sweetness and moisture—brown sugar keeps things chewy!
- Egg: Room temperature eggs mix better and help cookies rise properly.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla amps up flavor — don’t skimp here.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of any cookie, giving structure.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Both leaveners work together for that just-right rise and softness.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Red and Green M&Ms: The stars of the show, adding festive color and that classic crunch.
Variations
What I love most about this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak and make your own. I often swap out the M&Ms for other holiday candies or add mix-ins for a twist that keeps everyone guessing.
- White Chocolate Chips: I once added these instead of M&Ms for an extra creamy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the vanilla.
- Peanut Butter M&Ms: Perfect for when you want a little more depth and a nutty surprise, my family goes crazy for this version.
- Gluten-Free Flour: If you need a gluten-free option, swapping flour works well—just watch your cookie texture closely as some blends absorb differently.
- Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds cozy warmth, especially on cold winter evenings.
How to Make Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven & Pan Ready
Preheat your oven to 350°F (that’s 175°C for my metric friends!). Line a large baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze. This simple prep step goes a long way in helping your cookies come out just right.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Add both the granulated and brown sugars, then beat until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Trust me, this step is worth the time as it gives your cookies that lovely tenderness.
Step 3: Incorporate the Egg and Vanilla
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat again until everything is well combined—you want a smooth, glossy batter that’s ready for the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients Separately
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. This helps distribute the leavening agents evenly throughout the dough so your cookies bake uniformly.
Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients and Add M&Ms
Slowly pour the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir everything together gently with a spatula until just combined — don’t overmix here or your cookies might turn tough. Once combined, fold in 1 cup of the red and green M&Ms. This little bit inside the dough keeps pockets of colorful candy in every bite.
Step 6: Shape Your Cookies
Grab a cookie scoop or use your hands to form 1.5-inch balls of dough. Place about six on your parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they have space to spread. Now, press 6 to 8 more M&Ms into the top of each cookie—this is my favorite part because it gives the cookies that iconic festive look!
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn a light golden color. A key tip I learned the hard way: don’t overbake! The cookies will still look slightly soft in the middle when you pull them out, but they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the baking pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe
- Soft Butter is Essential: I always remember to take the butter out an hour before baking to ensure it creams perfectly. Cold butter just won’t do!
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mixing the flour until just combined preserves the cookies’ tender crumb; overmixing makes them tough.
- Use Fresh Leavening Agents: I learned to double-check my baking powder and soda dates—expired ones can lead to flat cookies.
- Add M&Ms on Top After Shaping: Pressing extra candies on top prevents them from sinking and ensures those gorgeous festive colors shine.
How to Serve Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple and let the colorful M&Ms do the talking, but if I’m feeling extra festive, I dust the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar for a snowy touch. Sometimes, a tiny drizzle of white chocolate adds an elegant contrast and extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
These Christmas M&M Cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows. For holiday gatherings, I like serving them alongside a cheese board or fruit platter to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving or parties, I love stacking these cookies in a festive jar tied with a red ribbon or arranging them on a holiday-themed platter surrounded by mini candy canes. You can also package a few in a cellophane bag with a personalized tag—makes an adorable, thoughtful treat for neighbors or coworkers!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Christmas M&M Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they stay fresh and soft for up to 7 days. If you want to keep them extra tender, adding a slice of bread to the container helps maintain moisture—learned that trick from my grandma!
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead for the holidays, these cookies freeze beautifully. I place fully cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months, perfect for holiday prep!
Reheating
To revive frozen or day-old cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10 seconds. This brings back that freshly-baked softness and lets the M&Ms shine. Just be careful not to overheat lest they get too crisp.
FAQs
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Can I use regular M&Ms instead of red and green for this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While red and green M&Ms add a festive touch, any M&Ms will work just fine. You can even mix different types or colors to suit the occasion or your personal preference. Just keep in mind that the festive colors bring extra holiday cheer to these cookies.
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How do I keep the M&Ms from melting too much in the cookie?
Pressing some M&Ms on top of the cookie dough right before baking helps prevent them from sinking and melting completely into the dough, preserving their shape and vibrant color. Also, be sure to bake for just 8-10 minutes to avoid overbaking; this keeps the candies from overheating.
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Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days before baking. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Chilled dough can sometimes produce thicker cookies, so you might want to slightly flatten the dough balls before baking if you prefer them thinner.
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Are these cookies suitable for kids to help make?
Definitely! This Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe is straightforward and kid-friendly. Kids will especially love mixing in the M&Ms and pressing them on top of the dough balls. Just be sure to supervise near the oven during baking.
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Can I substitute another type of candy for the M&Ms?
Yes! You can try other small candies like mini chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces, or holiday-themed sprinkles. Just be mindful that some candies might melt differently or affect texture, so adjust baking time if needed.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines the magic of the holidays with a crowd-pleasing treat everyone can enjoy. It’s simple enough for weeknight baking yet festive enough to make your celebrations extra memorable. I can’t recommend baking these enough — each batch feels like a warm holiday hug from the oven. So grab your mixing bowl, invite some loved ones to join, and get ready to bake up some delicious Christmas cheer!
Print
Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Red and Green M&M Christmas Cookies. Soft and chewy, these classic sugar cookie treats are loaded with colorful red and green M&M candies, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting. With a simple dough enriched by vanilla and brown sugar, these cookies offer a delightful crunch and vibrant look that brings holiday cheer to every bite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Mix-Ins
- 1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking pan with parchment paper to ensure cookies don’t stick and for easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter until smooth. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar, then beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which creates a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and pure vanilla extract until well incorporated, ensuring an even distribution of flavor and moisture in the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually pour this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until everything is combined without overmixing. Add 1 cup of red and green M&Ms and stir to combine evenly throughout the dough.
- Form Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, shape the dough into 1.5-inch balls. Place six cookie balls spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading. Press 6 to 8 of the remaining M&Ms onto the tops of each cookie ball for extra color and candy crunch.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookie edges just turn a light golden color. Take care not to overbake to maintain a soft and chewy center.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking pan from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set perfectly.
Notes
- Serve these cookies immediately for the freshest flavor and best texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days to keep them soft and delicious.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suited for baking.
- You can customize the candy mix-ins by using other seasonal M&Ms or chocolate chips if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
