Christmas M&M Cookies are cookies that are loaded with red and green colored M&M’s to satisfy your sweet tooth and get you in the holiday spirit! Try my Old Fashioned Monster Cookies recipe for another cookie full of candy-covered chocolate.
Christmas M&M Cookies
The holiday season is all about treats, especially cookies! When any recipe can be made with Christmas colored candies or sprinkles, it just puts me more in the holiday spirit. This cookie starts with the perfect dough and ends with plenty of red and green M&M’s.
Christmas M&M Cookies Ingredients
Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients (especially butter and eggs) will help you get the best results when baking these cookies. Butter is at room temperature at 65°F. Don’t put it in the microwave to soften it; simply cut it up into small pieces and let it sit out if you forgot to take it out of the refrigerator.
Packed brown sugar: There is a reason to pack brown sugar. Packing the sugar into the measuring cup gets rid of any air pockets.
Accurate Measuring: Always use dry measuring cups for ingredients like flour and sugar. This allows you to level off the surface to get a more accurate amount. If possible, dip the measuring cup into the ingredient and level it with a straight-edged object as opposed to filling up the cup with a spoon.
Adding M&M’s: When adding solid ingredients (like these candy-coated chocolates), I prefer to stir them in by hand. If you are using your mixer, mix them in on low for only about 5 seconds.
M&M Cookie Dough
To get started making the Christmas M&M Cookie dough, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl to evenly distribute the baking soda and salt. Set aside. Next, beat the room temperature butter with a stand mixer (or handheld mixer) for about a minute. Then, add both sugars to the butter to cream until soft and fluffy.
Add the eggs and vanilla to the creamed mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, followed by the flour mixture. Mix the ingredients on low until combined. Finally, fold in the M&M’s. You can do this by hand or for just a few seconds with the mixer on low. Cover the dough and let it chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours, up to overnight.
How to Make Christmas M&M Cookies
When ready to make the Christmas M&M Cookies, remove the dough from the refrigerator to allow it to come to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a measuring scoop, drop equal spoonfuls of the dough onto the lined sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie.
Bake the cookies for 12 minutes. They are done when the sides are lightly browned and the centers still look soft. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Freezing Cookie Dough
Most cookie doughs are great for freezing. To freeze the dough, scoop the batter onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Place the dough balls in the freezer for 1-2 hours. After the dough is completely frozen, store them in a freezer-safe zipped bag until ready to bake. To bake from frozen, simply add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
Looking for More Holiday Treats?
Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 227g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups (300g) light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups M&M's Holiday milk chocolate candy
Instructions
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In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or a handheld mixer), beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth (about a minute).
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Add both sugars and cream on medium-high speed until smooth (about 2 minutes).
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Add the eggs and vanilla, beating until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat ingredients together again, if necessary.
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Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low until combined.
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With the mixer still on low (or by hand), add the M&M's and mix until incorporated. (If using an electric mixer, only mix for a few seconds.)
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Cover the bowl and let the dough chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
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When ready, remove the dough from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Drop spoonfuls (2-3 tablespoons) of dough onto baking sheets about 2 inches apart. (If possible, measure the batter so the cookies are all the same size for best results when baking.)
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Bake for 12 minutes. The cookies are done when the sides are lightly browned and the centers still look soft.
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Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.