Looking for a cookie that brings pure holiday joy? M&M Christmas Cookies are exactly what you need this season.
These bright, cheerful treats are loaded with red and green M&Ms that make them instantly festive. They’re soft, chewy, and incredibly easy to make.
Kids absolutely love helping with these cookies. There’s something magical about choosing which colored candies to press into each one.
The best part? You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry right now. No specialty items required.
| Quick Recipe Summary | |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 12 minutes |
| Total Time | 27 minutes |
| Servings | 24 cookies |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
Why You’ll Love This M&M Christmas Cookies
These cookies are foolproof. The dough comes together in one bowl, and you don’t need a mixer if you don’t want to use one.
They stay soft for days. The texture remains perfectly chewy, not hard or crumbly like some holiday cookies.
- Kid-friendly baking project: Little hands can help measure, mix, and decorate
- Customizable colors: Use any M&M colors for different holidays or occasions
- Make-ahead friendly: The dough freezes beautifully for up to three months
- Crowd-pleaser: Everyone from toddlers to grandparents loves these
- Budget-friendly: Simple ingredients that won’t break the bank
Read Also: Classic Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients for M&M Christmas Cookies
You’ll need basic baking staples and one festive ingredient to make these cookies shine. The combination creates a texture that’s crispy on the edges and soft in the middle.
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups M&Ms (red and green for Christmas)
Kitchen Equipment Needed
Having the right tools makes baking these cookies even easier. You don’t need anything fancy, just basic equipment that most kitchens already have.
- Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
- Electric mixer or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cookie scoop (optional but helpful)
- Wire cooling rack
Recommended Products for This Recipe
After making countless batches of these cookies, I’ve found a few products that really make a difference in the final result.
These aren’t necessary, but they’ll take your cookies from good to absolutely amazing.
1. OXO Good Grips Cookie Scoop
This cookie scoop ensures every single cookie is the same size, which means they all bake evenly at the same time.
No more burnt edges on small cookies while the big ones are still raw. The spring-loaded handle releases the dough perfectly every time.
2. Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets
These baking sheets distribute heat so evenly that I never get hot spots or burnt bottoms.
They’re the perfect thickness, they never warp in the oven, and cookies slide right off without sticking. I’ve had mine for years and they still look nearly new.
3. Silpat Silicone Baking Mat
I stopped using parchment paper years ago after discovering these mats. Cookies brown perfectly on the bottom, cleanup is just a quick rinse, and you’ll save so much money not buying parchment paper. One set lasts for thousands of uses.
4. M&M’s Red and Green Christmas Mix
Getting the right color mix is so much easier when you buy the holiday-specific bags.
These come in perfect Christmas red and green shades that make your cookies instantly festive. The regular bags work fine, but these take away the sorting hassle.
You might also enjoy: Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make M&M Christmas Cookies
1. Prepare Your Baking Station
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Set out all your ingredients so everything is within easy reach.
- Let the butter sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes if you forgot to take it out earlier (it should be soft but not melted).
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
- Grab your medium mixing bowl and add the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Whisk these together until they’re well combined.
- Set this bowl aside while you work on the wet ingredients.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugars
- In your large mixing bowl, add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Beat them together with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure everything is incorporated.
- The mixture should be pale in color and have a creamy texture.
4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla
- Crack the eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until everything is combined.
- The mixture might look a bit curdled at this point, but that’s completely normal.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three separate additions.
- Mix on low speed or stir with a wooden spoon after each addition, just until the flour disappears.
- Don’t overmix or your cookies will be tough instead of tender.
- The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.
6. Fold in the M&Ms
- Reserve about ½ cup of M&Ms for pressing onto the cookie tops later.
- Gently fold the remaining M&Ms into the dough using a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Stir just until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Shape the Cookies
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough into balls about 2 tablespoons each.
- Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one (they’ll spread as they bake).
- Gently press 2-3 of the reserved M&Ms onto the top of each dough ball for that picture-perfect look.
8. Bake the Cookies
- Place one baking sheet in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set and just starting to turn golden.
- The centers will look slightly underdone, but they’ll continue cooking on the hot pan after you remove them from the oven.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Another favorite: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Tips for The Best M&M Christmas Cookies
Getting perfect cookies every time comes down to a few simple tricks. These tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and create bakery-quality results.
- Don’t skip the chilling step if your kitchen is warm: If your dough feels too soft, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before baking.
- Use room temperature butter: Cold butter won’t cream properly, and melted butter will make flat cookies.
- Measure flour correctly: Spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off instead of scooping directly from the bag.
- Bake one sheet at a time: This ensures even heat distribution and perfectly baked cookies.
- Slightly underbake them: Cookies continue baking on the hot pan, so take them out when they look just barely done.
- Press M&Ms on top before baking: This creates that beautiful, colorful appearance
- Cool completely before storing: Warm cookies will create condensation in the container and become soggy.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect on their own, but here are some fun ways to serve them at your holiday gatherings.
- Cookie platters: Arrange them on a festive platter with Shortbread Cookies and Gingerbread Cookies for variety
- Ice cream sandwiches: Press vanilla ice cream between two cookies and roll the edges in mini M&Ms
- Gift boxes: Pack them in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbon for neighbor gifts
- Hot chocolate pairing: Serve alongside mugs of Peppermint Hot Chocolate for the ultimate winter treat
- Cookie exchange: These always disappear first at cookie swaps
This pairs beautifully with my Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Recipe for a complete holiday dessert spread.
Variations of M&M Christmas Cookies
These cookies are incredibly versatile. Try these fun variations to keep things interesting all year long.
- Peanut butter M&M cookies: Replace ½ cup of the butter with creamy peanut butter
- Double chocolate: Add ½ cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and reduce flour to 2 cups
- Mint chocolate: Use mint chocolate M&Ms instead of regular ones
- Birthday cookies: Use colorful birthday M&Ms instead of Christmas colors
- Stuffed cookies: Press a piece of chocolate into the center of each dough ball before baking
- Oatmeal M&M: Replace 1 cup of flour with old-fashioned oats for a chewier texture
- White chocolate chips: Mix in ½ cup white chocolate chips along with the M&Ms
Storage and Reheating
Proper storage keeps these cookies tasting fresh for days. Here’s how to store them so they maintain that perfect texture.
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
- Refrigerator: Keep them fresh for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or bag
- Cookie dough: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months (bake from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes)
- Reheating: Warm individual cookies in the microwave for 10 seconds for that fresh-baked taste
- Crisping up: Place slightly soft cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness
Read Also: Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Nutritional Facts
Per cookie (based on 24 servings):
- Calories: 185
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 110mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 25g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugars: 17g
- Protein: 2g
Health Benefits of Key Ingredients
While these are definitely a treat, some ingredients do offer nutritional benefits. Everything in moderation makes these cookies part of a balanced diet during the holidays.
- Eggs: Provide high-quality protein and essential vitamins like B12 and choline for brain health
- Butter: Contains vitamin A for eye health and fat-soluble vitamins that help your body absorb nutrients
- Vanilla extract: Rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals and reduce inflammation
- Dark chocolate M&Ms: If you use dark chocolate versions, they contain flavonoids that support heart health
- Flour: Provides carbohydrates for energy, though whole wheat flour would add fiber.
FAQs About M&M Christmas Cookies
1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter is really the best choice for these cookies because it creates the perfect texture and flavor.
Margarine has more water content, which can make the cookies spread too much and turn out flat.
If you absolutely must substitute, use stick margarine (not the soft tub kind) and expect slightly different results.
2. Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This usually happens because the butter was too soft or melted, or the dough was too warm.
Make sure your butter is just softened (it should hold its shape but be easily pressed with a finger). If your kitchen is warm, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
3. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
Make sure your M&Ms are certified gluten-free if you have celiac disease, as some varieties are processed in facilities with gluten.
4. How do I keep the M&Ms from sinking to the bottom?
Toss the M&Ms in a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the dough. This coating helps suspend them throughout the cookie.
Also, pressing a few M&Ms on top before baking ensures you get that pretty colorful appearance even if some sink.
5. Can I use other candy instead of M&Ms?
Absolutely! Try chocolate chips, chopped candy canes, Reese’s Pieces, or even crushed peppermint candies.
The recipe works with any mix-in that’s about the same size as M&Ms. Just keep the total amount around 2 cups.
You might also enjoy: White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Conclusion
M&M Christmas Cookies bring so much joy to the holiday season. They’re easy enough for beginners but delicious enough to impress everyone at your cookie exchange.
The best memories happen in the kitchen when you’re baking with loved ones. These cookies create exactly that kind of moment.
Give this recipe a try this weekend and see how quickly they disappear. I’d love to hear how yours turned out, so drop a comment below and let me know if you tried any fun variations.
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