Name: M&M Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups M&M candies (plus extra for topping); 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

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If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate crowd-pleasing treat, look no further than these delightful M&M Cookies! With their buttery, soft centers, irresistible pops of chocolate, and that instantly recognizable rainbow of crunchy M&Ms, these cookies bring back fond childhood memories and light up every dessert table. Whether you bake them for a holiday, a party, or a spontaneous afternoon sweet tooth, this is a recipe you’ll want in your forever collection.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes M&M Cookies so magical is that they use pantry staples, but each ingredient plays a special role in creating that perfect chewy texture and signature colorful burst. Here’s what you’ll need, and why it matters:

Unsalted butter: Softened butter is the base for extra-tender cookies; it creams beautifully for a fluffy dough.
Granulated sugar: This gives sweetness and structure, creating light cookies with a crisp edge.
Packed brown sugar: Infuses a touch of molasses, adding chewiness and depth of flavor.
Large eggs: Bind the dough and add richness for a satisfying bite.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and enhances the chocolatey notes.
All-purpose flour: Provides the foundation for the dough, creating that classic cookie texture.
Baking soda: Gives the cookies just the right lift, ensuring they’re tender, not cakey.
Salt: Intensifies the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
M&M candies (plus extra for topping): The star! Adds bursts of color, crunch, and chocolate in every bite.
Mini chocolate chips (optional): For true chocoholics, extra chocolate pockets mean extra joy.

How to Make M&M Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper—this prevents sticking and keeps your cookies looking bakery-perfect. Parchment also makes cleanup a total breeze!

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Spend a few minutes here to get the mixture light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step creates a soft base and gives your cookies that wonderful melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then pour in the vanilla extract. This ensures everything is evenly distributed, making your M&M Cookies rich and flavorful from the inside out.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix—the less you work the dough, the softer your cookies will be.

Step 5: Fold in M&Ms and Chocolate Chips

It’s time for the fun part! Gently fold in the M&M candies and, if you like, stir in the mini chocolate chips. This ensures those perfect colorful pockets in every bite. Save a few M&Ms for pressing on top—these will make your finished cookies extra eye-catching.

Step 6: Scoop and Decorate

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place each one about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Before baking, press a few extra M&Ms onto the tops of each cookie for a vibrant, bakery-style look.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still slightly underbaked. This trick delivers that irresistible soft center. Let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking tray before transferring to a wire rack—if you can resist eating them right away!

How to Serve M&M Cookies

Garnishes

For a playful finish, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on warm cookies to heighten their chocolatey flavors. You can also drizzle with melted white chocolate or dust with powdered sugar—these small touches make M&M Cookies even more festive and fun.

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs better with M&M Cookies than a frosty glass of milk—dunking is encouraged! For parties, serve alongside a bowl of fresh seasonal fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn dessert into something extra special.

Creative Ways to Present

Showcase your cookies by stacking them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon as delightful gifts. Or, build a colorful cookie platter featuring M&M Cookies among brownies, blondies, and other treats for a rainbow effect that never fails to impress at gatherings!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your M&M Cookies soft and fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. A slice of bread inside the container helps maintain moisture, so your cookies stay perfect for up to a week.

Freezing

Planning ahead? You can freeze both the baked cookies and the raw dough! For ready-to-eat treats, let baked cookies cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to freezer bags. Raw dough can be portioned and frozen; bake right from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time.

Reheating

If you love a warm, gooey cookie, pop a M&M Cookie in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. For a crisper texture, a couple of minutes in a 300°F oven will do the trick. Just be careful not to overdo it—these beauties are best enjoyed slightly warm and soft.

FAQs

Can I use peanut M&Ms instead of regular?

Absolutely! Peanut M&Ms add a wonderful crunch and a touch of nutty flavor. Just keep in mind they’re larger, so chop them up a bit or use slightly fewer to maintain the dough-to-candy balance.

Why did my M&M Cookies spread too much in the oven?

This can happen if your butter is too soft or melted. Try chilling the dough for 20 minutes before baking, and always make sure to measure your flour accurately—that helps your cookies hold their shape beautifully.

Can I double this recipe for a big group?

Yes, this M&M Cookies recipe doubles (or even triples!) perfectly. Just use extra bowls for mixing and bake in batches. These cookies are a real crowd-pleaser, so making more is never a bad idea.

Are there ways to make these M&M Cookies gluten-free?

Swap the all-purpose flour for a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture will be a bit different, but you’ll still get delicious, colorful cookies everyone can enjoy.

How do I get my M&M Cookies to look just like bakery cookies?

The secret is to press extra M&Ms on top before baking. Also, pull them out of the oven when they look slightly underbaked—this keeps them soft and gives that thick, chewy bakery look.

Final Thoughts

If you love baking and sharing, these M&M Cookies are an absolute must-try. Each batch promises color, flavor, and a bit of nostalgia in every bite. Bake, share, and watch the smiles multiply—happy baking!

M&M Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 30 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These M&M cookies are a colorful and delicious treat that is perfect for any occasion. Soft and chewy, with a buttery flavor and bursts of chocolate from the M&M candies, these cookies are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add-ins:

1 1/2 cups M&M candies (plus extra for topping)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Add mix-ins: Fold in the M&Ms and mini chocolate chips, if using.
Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Press extra M&Ms on top of each dough ball. Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden.
Cool and serve: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.