Who doesn’t love a good cookie during the holiday season? These Christmas M&M cookies are the perfect mix of chewy, chocolatey goodness with a festive pop of red and green. Plus, they’re super easy to whip up! Whether you're baking for a holiday party, a cookie swap, or just to satisfy that sweet tooth, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe

Servings:

Makes about 24-36 cookies

Total Time:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
• Cool Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups Christmas M&M's (red and green)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.

3. Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This creates a nice, creamy base for the cookies.

4. Add Vanilla and Eggs

Add the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps to incorporate air into the mixture, giving you a lighter cookie.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cookies tough.

6. Fold in M&M's and Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the Christmas M&M's and semi-sweet chocolate chips. You want to distribute them evenly throughout the dough for a nice mix of chocolatey goodness in every bite.

7. Scoop and Bake

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

8. Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to cook a bit as they cool, so don't overbake them.

9. Cool

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up so they don't fall apart when you pick them up.

10. Enjoy

Serve and enjoy your festive Christmas M&M cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite holiday drink.

FAQ

Can I use regular M&M's instead of Christmas M&M's?

Absolutely! If you can’t find the Christmas-themed M&M’s, regular ones will work just fine. You can also sort out the red and green M&M's from a regular bag if you're going for that festive look.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. When you're ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to make it easier to scoop.

How should I store these cookies?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them to stay soft, you can add a slice of bread to the container. The bread will help absorb moisture and keep the cookies from drying out.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, these cookies freeze beautifully. You can freeze the dough or the baked cookies. For the dough, scoop it into balls, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag.

For baked cookies, let them cool completely, then layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper between the layers. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Certainly! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum, which helps give gluten-free baked goods their structure.

Variations

Nutty Twist:

Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the dough for some extra crunch. The combination of the sweet chocolate and the nutty flavor is a real treat!

White Chocolate Craze:

Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips, or use a mix of both. The white chocolate pairs wonderfully with the colorful M&M's and gives a little extra sweetness.

Sprinkle Surprise:

Mix in some festive sprinkles along with the M&M's for an extra pop of color. Perfect for when you want your cookies to scream "holiday cheer!"

Double Chocolate Delight:

Turn these into double chocolate cookies by adding 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients. This gives the cookies a rich, chocolaty base that pairs perfectly with the M&M's and chocolate chips.

Peppermint Perfection:

For a minty twist, replace half of the chocolate chips with crushed peppermint candies or peppermint baking chips. It's like having a peppermint hot chocolate in cookie form!

Mini Cookie Bites:

For a bite-sized version, scoop the dough into smaller teaspoon-sized portions. Bake for 8-10 minutes, and you’ve got mini cookies that are perfect for popping in your mouth!

Tips for Perfect Cookies Every Time

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them blend more easily and evenly, resulting in a better texture for your cookies.
• Don't Overmix: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
• Chill the Dough: If your dough is too soft, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
• Watch the Bake Time: Keep an eye on your cookies while they bake. They should be set around the edges but still soft in the center when you take them out of the oven.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are perfect on their own, but here are a few ideas to take them up a notch:

• Ice Cream Sandwiches: Place a scoop of vanilla or peppermint ice cream between two cookies for a delicious holiday ice cream sandwich.
• Cookie Platter: Include these on a festive cookie platter with other holiday favorites like gingerbread men, sugar cookies, and snowball cookies.
• Gifting: Stack a few cookies, wrap them in cellophane, and tie with a festive ribbon for a sweet homemade gift.

There you have it, a festive and fun Christmas M&M cookie recipe that’s sure to bring joy to your holiday season. Whether you’re making these with the kids, for a party, or just because, they're sure to be a hit. Happy baking and Merry Christmas!