Christmas M&m Cookies Recipe

The Magic of Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe: A Sweet Holiday Treat

Sweet holiday gatherings always spark magic with christmas m&m cookies that shine brighter than festive lights.

Chocolate chips and colorful candy shells create delightful bursts of joy in every bite.

Memories of childhood winters flood back when you smell these warm, fragrant treats baking.

Quick and simple ingredients blend together effortlessly for a delectable dessert anyone can master.

Soft centers and crisp edges promise pure comfort during chilly December evenings.

Packed with playful colors, these cookies bring instant smiles to faces young and old.

Bake a batch and watch happiness spread faster than melted chocolate.

You won’t be able to resist these irresistible festive treasures!

Christmas M&M Cookies: Sweet Reasons For Holiday Cheer

  • Festive Family Fun: Create memorable holiday moments with these colorful, easy-to-make Christmas M&M Cookies that bring joy to everyone.
  • Quick Baking Delight: Whip up these cookies in just 25 minutes total, perfect for busy holiday schedules and last-minute treat cravings.
  • Kid-Friendly Cooking: Engage children in a simple, enjoyable baking activity where they can help mix dough and decorate cookies with festive M&Ms.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Serve these vibrant, soft cookies at holiday gatherings, school parties, or family celebrations that appeal to both kids and adults.

Christmas M&M Cookies Key Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The base for creating a classic cookie texture with soft, chewy results.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread perfectly with a light, airy structure.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
Wet Ingredients and Sweeteners:
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture. Room temperature butter works best for smooth mixing.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Combine for deep, complex sweetness and help create a soft, chewy cookie. Brown sugar adds moisture and caramel-like notes.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor that complements the sweet cookie base.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's structure and richness.
Festive Topping:
  • Christmas M&Ms: Colorful chocolate candies that add festive cheer and bursts of chocolate throughout the cookie. Holiday color mix provides a cheerful, seasonal touch.

Making Christmas M&M Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper.

Fire up the oven to a toasty 350°F, creating the perfect warm environment for cookie magic.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Blend these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Butter Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat together:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar

Whip these ingredients until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud of sweetness.

Step 4: Add Moisture and Flavor

Pour in vanilla extract and crack in eggs one at a time.

Mix thoroughly after each egg, ensuring a smooth and consistent batter.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.

Stir gently until everything comes together in a delicious cookie dough.

Step 6: Sprinkle in Christmas Cheer

Gently fold in Christmas M&Ms, saving a few for decorating the tops of your cookies.

This adds a pop of festive color and extra chocolate goodness.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Delights

Scoop the dough into adorable 1½-inch balls.

Place them carefully on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.

Step 8: Decorate with M&Ms

Press the reserved M&Ms on top of each cookie dough ball, creating a festive and colorful surface.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Look for lightly golden edges as your cue that these treats are ready.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes.

Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Get ready to enjoy your festive, chocolatey Christmas cookies!

  • Strategically press reserved M&Ms on top of each cookie dough ball before baking to create a festive, intentional color pattern that looks professionally decorated.
  • Chill cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to help maintain shape and prevent excessive spreading, ensuring perfectly round Christmas cookies.
  • Experiment with different seasonal M&M colors like red and green for Christmas, or use classic milk chocolate M&Ms for year-round enjoyment, adapting the recipe to any celebration.
  • Use a combination of granulated and brown sugar to create cookies with crispy edges and soft, chewy centers, delivering a delightful textural experience.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their soft texture and prevent sticking.

Chill M&M Cookies And Enjoy Again

  • Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, keeping them flat. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
  • Remove cookies from freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying their soft, delicious taste.
  • Warm cookies briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore that fresh-from-the-oven warmth and softness.

Treats to Serve with Christmas M&m Cookies

  • Pair Festive Mulled Wine: Rich, spiced mulled wine complements the sweet chocolate and festive colors of the Christmas M&M cookies, creating a warm holiday flavor experience.
  • Balance with Creamy Eggnog: Smooth, velvety eggnog provides a luxurious counterpoint to the crunchy cookie texture, enhancing the seasonal dessert enjoyment.
  • Enhance with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Minty hot chocolate echoes the Christmas theme, adding depth and complementing the colorful M&Ms with its rich, festive profile.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Latte: Smooth, aromatic vanilla latte cuts through the cookie's sweetness, offering a sophisticated coffee companion that balances the dessert's rich flavors.

Christmas M&M Cookies with Festive Candy Additions

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the cookies remain soft and chewy while being safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and choose vegan M&M-style chocolate candies to create a plant-based friendly cookie.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Swap granulated and brown sugar with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cookie's delicious flavor profile.
  • Protein-Packed Variation: Incorporate almond flour or protein powder into the dry ingredients to boost nutritional value and create a more filling holiday treat.

FAQs

  • Can I use regular M&Ms instead of Christmas-themed ones?

Yes, you can use any color or seasonal variety of M&Ms. The recipe works perfectly with classic M&Ms or any festive version available.

  • How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the butter solidify and prevents excessive spreading, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies.

  • Are these cookies good for holiday gift-giving?

Absolutely! These cookies pack well, stay fresh for several days, and look festive with the colorful M&Ms. They’re perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or as homemade gifts.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance. Store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks. Just thaw before baking.

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Christmas M&m Cookies Recipe

Christmas M&m Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Christmas M&M Cookies bring festive cheer with their colorful chocolate candies nestled in buttery, golden-brown dough. Sweet memories of holiday baking will dance across your taste buds when you share these delightful treats with family and friends.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups (540 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

Sweeteners and Mix-ins:

  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup (165 grams) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 1/2 cups (255 grams) Christmas M&Ms

Instructions

  1. Arrange the oven rack in the center position and heat to 350°F, then cover baking trays with parchment paper for smooth cookie release.
  2. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend.
  3. Using an electric mixer, whip butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth creamy texture.
  4. Incorporate vanilla extract and eggs individually, thoroughly blending after each addition to ensure even distribution.
  5. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive cookie dough forms without overmixing.
  6. Delicately integrate most of the Christmas M&Ms into the dough, keeping several candies aside for decorative topping.
  7. Shape the cookie dough into uniform 1½-inch rounds, spacing them evenly across the prepared baking sheets.
  8. Strategically place reserved M&Ms on top of each cookie, pressing them lightly to ensure they adhere during baking.
  9. Slide trays into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges as a sign of perfect doneness.
  10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
  • Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more evenly mixed cookie dough that blends perfectly.
  • For gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Swap out some Christmas M&Ms with white chocolate chips for an extra creamy texture and festive variation.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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