M&M Christmas Cookies

M&M Christmas Cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with festive red and green candies and chocolate chips. With buttery edges, sweet chocolate in every bite, and no chilling time required, these easy cookies are perfect for Christmas parties, holiday cookie exchanges, and homemade gifts.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Christmas M&M’s, plus extra for topping
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix just until a soft cookie dough forms.
6. Gently fold in the Christmas M&M’s and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
7. Scoop the dough into approximately 2-tablespoon portions and roll into balls if desired.
8. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a few inches between each cookie.
9. Press a few extra M&M’s onto the tops of each dough ball for a festive appearance.
10. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown.
11. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
12. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serving: Serve these cookies with hot chocolate, coffee, milk, or your favorite holiday drinks.
• Christmas dessert platter: Arrange them with brownies, sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, and other festive treats.
• Decorating: Press extra M&M’s onto the cookies immediately after baking if you want more colorful candy toppings.
• Room temperature storage: Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Refrigerator storage: Refrigeration is not necessary, but you can keep the cookies refrigerated in an airtight container if your kitchen is warm.
• Freezing baked cookies: Freeze completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Freezing cookie dough: Shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Baking frozen dough: Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time as needed.
• Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Let it soften slightly before scooping if necessary.
• Keep them soft: Add a small piece of sandwich bread to the cookie storage container to help maintain moisture. Replace it when it becomes stale.

Variations

1. White Chocolate M&M Christmas Cookies

Replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips. The creamy white chocolate pairs beautifully with the red and green M&M’s and gives the cookies a sweeter, festive flavor.

2. Peanut Butter M&M Cookies

Replace ¼ cup of the softened butter with creamy peanut butter. Add peanut butter M&M’s instead of regular candies for a rich, nutty cookie with plenty of chocolate flavor.

3. Double Chocolate Christmas Cookies

Replace ¼ cup of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. Add extra chocolate chips and red and green M&M’s for a rich chocolate cookie that’s perfect for chocolate lovers.

4. Mint Chocolate M&M Cookies

Add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the wet ingredients and use chocolate chips with the M&M’s. The refreshing mint flavor creates a delicious holiday-inspired combination.

5. Cranberry White Chocolate M&M Cookies

Fold ¼ cup of dried cranberries and ½ cup of white chocolate chips into the dough. The tart cranberries balance the sweetness of the candies and create a beautiful Christmas cookie.

6. Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Add ¼ cup of red, green, and white holiday sprinkles to the dough. Roll the cookie dough balls in additional sprinkles before baking for an extra colorful holiday treat.

7. Dark Chocolate M&M Cookies

Replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate. The slightly bitter chocolate balances the sweetness of the M&M’s.

8. Oatmeal M&M Christmas Cookies

Replace ½ cup of the flour with old-fashioned rolled oats. The oats give the cookies a heartier texture while keeping them soft and chewy.

9. Caramel M&M Christmas Cookies

Fold ¼ cup of caramel baking bits into the dough along with the M&M’s. The caramel adds a buttery sweetness that makes these cookies extra special.

10. Red Velvet M&M Cookies

Replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cocoa powder and add a little red food coloring to the wet ingredients. Fold in white chocolate chips and Christmas M&M’s for a festive red velvet-inspired cookie.

11. Almond Christmas M&M Cookies

Add ½ teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla extract. The almond flavor adds a delicate bakery-style aroma that pairs wonderfully with chocolate.

12. S’mores M&M Christmas Cookies

Fold ¼ cup of mini marshmallows and ¼ cup of crushed graham crackers into the dough. Add chocolate chips and M&M’s for a fun holiday twist on classic s’mores.

13. Toffee M&M Cookies

Add ¼ cup of toffee bits to the cookie dough. The buttery, crunchy pieces create a delicious contrast with the soft cookie centers and colorful candies.

14. Salted Caramel M&M Cookies

Add caramel baking bits to the dough and sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the cookies immediately after baking. The sweet-and-salty combination makes every bite irresistible.

15. Mini M&M Christmas Cookies

Replace regular M&M’s with mini M&M’s and use a smaller cookie scoop to make bite-sized cookies. Reduce the baking time slightly and check frequently to prevent overbaking. These are perfect for cookie trays, parties, and holiday gift boxes.

FAQs

1. Can I make M&M Christmas Cookies without chilling the dough?

Yes! This recipe is designed to be made without chilling. Simply prepare the dough, scoop it into balls, and bake. If your kitchen is particularly warm or the dough feels too soft, refrigerate it briefly.

2. Why are my Christmas M&M cookies flat?

Cookies can spread too much if the butter is overly soft or melted, if too little flour is used, or if the baking sheet is warm. Measure the flour correctly and use softened butter rather than melted butter.

3. How do I keep M&M Christmas Cookies soft and chewy?

Avoid overbaking them. Remove the cookies when the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue cooking as they cool on the baking sheet.

4. Can I use regular M&M’s instead of Christmas M&M’s?

Absolutely! Regular M&M’s work perfectly. You can also use different seasonal colors to make these cookies suitable for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, or birthdays.

5. Can I freeze M&M Christmas cookie dough?

Yes. Scoop the dough into individual balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until firm, and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

6. How long do M&M Christmas Cookies last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for approximately 5 days. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.

7. Can I make these cookies without a mixer?

Yes! Use a sturdy whisk or wooden spoon to cream the softened butter and sugars together. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until combined.

8. Why did my M&M’s crack during baking?

Some candy shells may crack because of the oven heat. This is normal. For a prettier appearance, press a few extra M&M’s onto the cookies immediately after baking.

9. Can I use different chocolate chips?

Yes! Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and even peanut butter chips work well. Choose your favorite combination to customize the cookies.

10. Can I make smaller or larger Christmas cookies?

Definitely! Use a smaller or larger cookie scoop depending on your preference. Smaller cookies will bake faster, while larger cookies may need additional baking time. Keep an eye on the edges to avoid overbaking.

These M&M Christmas Cookies are an easy and delicious way to bring holiday cheer to your kitchen. With soft centers, buttery edges, colorful candies, and chocolate chips, they’re perfect for sharing with family and friends. Make a batch for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or a cozy holiday baking day!

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