If you’re looking for a festive treat that really pops with color and flavor, you’ve got to try this Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe. It’s everything you want in a holiday cookie—soft, chewy, loaded with peanuts and chocolate, and bursting with those iconic red and green M&Ms that scream Christmas. When I first tried this recipe, my family went crazy for it, and honestly, it’s become my go-to cookie for holiday baking. I promise, once you make these, they’ll fly off the plate just like they do at my house!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bursting with Festive Flavor: The peanut butter, oats, and chocolate combo is unbeatable during the holidays.
Perfect Texture Every Time: Soft in the middle, slightly crisp at the edges, and just the right chewiness from the oats.
Loads of Color and Fun: Christmas M&Ms make these cookies instantly festive and kid-friendly.
Super Easy to Make: You don’t need fancy equipment or complicated steps—just a mixer and some love!

Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe comes from simple pantry staples mixed with a few special touches. I always recommend using real peanut butter (not the powdered kind) for that rich, creamy flavor, and fresh M&Ms for those festive colors that don’t fade during baking.

Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe - Ingredients

Unsalted butter: Choose softened, not melted, so it creams well with the sugars.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
White sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with the crispy edges.
Peanut butter: Natural, creamy peanut butter gives that classic cookie flavor—no substitutes here for best taste.
Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together.
Vanilla extract: A splash enhances all the other flavors.
All-purpose flour: The base of our dough—don’t swap for specialty flours, they change the texture.
Old-fashioned rolled oats: These make the cookies chewy and hearty, much better than quick oats.
Baking soda: Gives the cookies a nice rise and helps with browning.
Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies flavor.
Christmas M&M’s: Use mini or regular size to suit your preference; pressing a few extra on top creates that festive look.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: I love mixing these with the M&Ms for pockets of rich chocolate in every bite.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One thing I love about this Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you’re avoiding peanuts, need it gluten-free, or want to make it extra chocolaty, there’s always a fun twist you can try. Don’t hesitate to get creative—it’s your kitchen after all!

Nut-Free Variation: I’ve swapped peanut butter for sunflower seed butter before and it turned out just as delicious, making it safe for nut allergies.
Gluten-Free Option: Using gluten-free rolled oats and a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend keeps these cookies just as chewy and festive.
Extra Crunch: Add chopped walnuts or pecans if you want a crunchy surprise inside.
Double Chocolate: Replace some or all of the semi-sweet chips with white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier bite.

How to Make Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by bringing your butter to room temperature—it should be soft enough to press your finger into but not melted. I use my stand mixer or a hand mixer to cream the unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and white sugar together. Whip them on medium speed for about two minutes until the mixture is fluffy and pale. This step is key for light, tender cookies.

Step 2: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Next, add the peanut butter, one large egg, and vanilla extract to your butter-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until everything is fully incorporated. This is where the cookie dough starts coming together and smelling like pure holiday joy!

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients and Fold in Goodies

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, old-fashioned oats, baking soda, and salt. Then add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture and beat just until combined—try not to overmix or the cookies can get tough. Finally, fold in the Christmas M&M’s and semi-sweet chocolate chips gently so they’re evenly distributed without breaking.

Step 4: Scoop, Press, and Bake

Using a medium cookie scoop, portion dough into 2-tablespoon balls and place them about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking tray. My trick here is to press a few extra M&Ms and chocolate chips onto the top of each ball—it makes the cookies look so festive and inviting when they bake up. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-13 minutes. Don’t worry if the centers look a bit soft; they’ll finish setting while cooling.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Once out of the oven, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period helps them set without breaking apart. I always find this to be the hardest part because they’re so tempting warm—but trust me, they’re worth the wait!

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe

Soft Butter is Key: If your butter’s too cold, it won’t cream properly, and you’ll miss out on that fluffy texture in your dough.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once the flour is in, mix just enough to combine to keep your cookies tender and soft rather than hard and dense.
Use a Cookie Scoop: For uniform cookies that bake evenly, a cookie scoop is a game changer and makes portioning so much easier.
Watch Your Oven Closely: Cookies in different ovens can bake quicker or slower—start checking at 10 minutes to avoid overbaking.

How to Serve Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

When I’m serving these cookies at parties or family gatherings, I love pressing a few extra Christmas M&Ms and chocolate chips on top right before baking—it makes them look extra festive. Sometimes, I sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt just before baking for a subtle flavor boost that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness.

Side Dishes

These cookies go perfectly alongside a cold glass of milk (classic for a reason!) or a warm cup of hot cocoa. For holiday brunch, I love plating these with fresh fruit or alongside a spread of savory cheese and nuts to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

One festive idea I stumbled on was stacking these cookies on a tiered tray with holiday greenery and twinkling lights around—it instantly makes your dessert table feel magical. Another time, I packaged them in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons to give as neighbor gifts. Presentation really takes these cookies up a notch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers fresh by storing the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually last about five days before they start losing that fresh-baked softness. If I want to stretch that, I pop them in the fridge—they keep well for up to a month, but the texture gets a little firmer.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies works like a charm. I either freeze the baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to three months or freeze unbaked dough balls on a baking tray first before transferring to a freezer bag. When I’m ready to bake, I thaw the dough overnight in the fridge. It’s a lifesaver if you want fresh cookies on demand during the busy holiday season.

Reheating

To bring them back to that just-baked warmth, I zap a cookie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It’s like magic—soft, melty, with that perfect gooey chocolate bite. You can also warm them briefly in a toaster oven, which keeps the edges crisp.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

You absolutely can! Using crunchy peanut butter will add a nice texture contrast inside the cookies. Just keep in mind that it might change the chewier texture slightly, but I actually love the extra crunch it provides.
What if I can’t find Christmas M&Ms?

No worries at all. You can use regular M&Ms or even mini chocolate candies in red and green colors. Or, get creative and toss in dried cranberries or red and green sprinkles for that festive splash.
How can I make these cookies softer?

If you want an extra soft cookie, try underbaking them slightly—take them out when the edges just start to set but the middle looks a little shiny. Let them cool on the baking sheet; they’ll firm up without losing softness.
Are these cookies freezer-friendly?

Yes! Both the baked cookies and unbaked dough freeze beautifully. Just make sure to store them in airtight containers or bags to prevent freezer burn. Thaw baked cookies at room temperature and dough overnight in the fridge before baking.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe is one of those feel-good holiday classics that never disappoints. Every time I whip up a batch, the house fills with warm, inviting aromas and that special festive spirit everyone loves. I hope you give these a try and find as much joy in baking and sharing them as I do—trust me, holiday baking just got a whole lot tastier!