Colorful Soft Chewy M and M Easter Treats

Welcome to your new favorite spring baking sensation: irresistible Soft & Chewy M&M Cookies! As the days grow longer and the vibrant colors of spring emerge, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a batch of freshly baked cookies. And let’s be honest, can one ever truly have enough cookies? We certainly don’t think so, especially when they’re this good! Imagine sinking your teeth into a cookie that’s perfectly soft, delightfully buttery, and wonderfully chewy, each bite bursting with colorful chocolate candies and sweet white chocolate chips. This is more than just a cookie; it’s a little piece of blissful indulgence, perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, or any day you crave a touch of sweetness.

For those looking to expand their Easter dessert repertoire, these M&M cookies fit right in alongside other festive treats. If you’re eager for more holiday inspiration, you might also enjoy our delightful Easter M&M Chocolate Chip Blondies or these charming Dove Easter Egg Coconut Macaroon Cookies. They’re all designed to bring joy and deliciousness to your spring celebrations!

Discover the Magic of Soft & Chewy M&M Easter Cookies

At their heart, our Soft & Chewy M&M Easter Cookies are a delightful twist on a classic sugar cookie, elevated with a generous scattering of festive pastel M&M’s and rich white chocolate chips. Each cookie is a masterpiece of texture and taste, offering a soft, yielding interior with just the right amount of chewiness, making every mouthful an absolute pleasure. What truly sets this recipe apart is its incredible simplicity, making it accessible even for novice bakers. It’s a fantastic adaptation of our beloved Soft Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies, ensuring a familiar and comforting taste with a vibrant, holiday-ready appearance.

Why These M&M Cookies Will Become Your New Go-To Recipe

There are countless reasons to fall in love with these Soft & Chewy M&M Easter Cookies, making them a staple for your spring baking list and beyond:

• A Chocolate Lover’s Dream: These are truly one of our all-time favorite cookie recipes, largely thanks to the generous amount of M&M’s and white chocolate chips. The combination creates a harmonious blend of creamy sweetness and a satisfying crunch that everyone, including the Easter Bunny, will adore!
• Perfect for Any Occasion: While they shine brightly for Easter, Spring gatherings, and Mother’s Day brunches with their cheerful pastel hues, don’t limit yourself! This versatile recipe is perfect for everyday sweet cravings. Think birthdays, themed parties for unicorn or mermaid enthusiasts, or simply as a comforting treat after a long day. Their vibrant appearance and delightful taste make them a hit for any celebration.
• Effortless & Festive Baking: This particular festive Easter cookie recipe is incredibly straightforward, perfect for injecting some joyful spring inspiration into your kitchen. You don’t need fancy equipment or advanced baking skills to achieve professional-looking and tasting results.
• No Special Equipment Required: Forget about dragging out heavy stand mixers or electric hand mixers unless you genuinely prefer using them. This recipe is designed to be mixed by hand with ease. If you do opt for a mixer, a paddle attachment on low speed will work perfectly to combine ingredients without overmixing.
• No Chilling, Faster Cookies: One of the best features of this recipe? No tedious dough chilling required! This means you can go from craving to indulging in delicious, warm cookies much quicker. Who doesn’t appreciate that speedy gratification?
• Quick Bake Time: From start to finish, you could have these delectable cookies ready to enjoy in approximately 20 minutes or less. This makes them ideal for last-minute dessert needs or when hunger strikes unexpectedly.
• Easily Adaptable for Vegan Diets: We believe everyone should enjoy delicious cookies. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable for a vegan diet! Simply substitute the unsalted butter with a high-quality vegan butter and replace the egg with a flax egg. While finding pastel M&M’s that are certified vegan can be a challenge (if you discover some, please share!), there are many fantastic vegan candy-coated chocolates or dairy-free chocolate candies available. For an even broader range of options, consider vegan Easter eggs or simply use vegan chocolate chips. If you’ve been searching for a reliable vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe, this adaptation is a game-changer!

Essential Ingredients for Your M&M Cookie Masterpiece

Crafting these delectable Soft & Chewy M&M Easter Cookies requires a straightforward list of pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Unsalted Butter (or Vegan Butter): Provides richness and helps achieve that signature soft texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content in the recipe.
• Brown Sugar: Contributes to the cookies’ chewiness and adds a delightful caramel note.
• Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and helps with spreading during baking.
• Egg (or Flax Egg): Acts as a binder and adds moisture. A flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) is a perfect vegan alternative.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors and adds warmth.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of your cookies.
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and achieve a soft, tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the chocolate.
• White Chocolate Chips (or Non-Dairy White Chocolate Chips): Adds a creamy, sweet contrast to the M&M’s. For a vegan version, ensure you use non-dairy chocolate chips.
• Pastel M&M Candies (or Preferred Vegan Candies): The star of the show, providing color and chocolatey crunch. Feel free to use any candy-coated chocolates you prefer, especially if you’re making a vegan batch.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake These Irresistible Easter M&M Cookies

Get ready to create some cookie magic! This recipe is incredibly simple and yields perfect results every time. Remember, a stand mixer or electric mixer is optional; a good sturdy spoon and a bowl are all you truly need. If you do use a mixer, opt for a paddle attachment and keep the speed low to avoid overmixing.

1. Prepare Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking.
2. Ready Your Baking Sheets: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. If parchment paper isn’t available, you can use ungreased baking sheets, but parchment is highly recommended for best results and easy removal.
3. Perfectly Melted Butter: Place your unsalted butter (or vegan butter) in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for approximately 25 seconds, or until the butter is about halfway melted. You want it to be partially liquid but still have some solid bits – this texture is key for the soft and chewy results.
4. Combine Sugars and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the partially melted butter with both the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Stir vigorously until thoroughly combined and smooth.
5. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg (or flax egg) and vanilla extract until they are just combined with the sugar mixture. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
6. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until the ingredients are just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as everything is incorporated.
7. Fold in the Mix-ins: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and M&M candies by hand. If you like, reserve a small handful of candies to press onto the tops of the cookie dough balls before baking; this creates a beautiful, colorful presentation.
8. Scoop Your Cookies: Use a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to scoop out 12 generous cookies, arranging them evenly on your prepared baking sheets. For smaller cookies, use a medium-sized scoop (1½ tablespoons) to yield approximately 18-20 cookies. Ensure enough space between each cookie for slight spreading.
9. Bake to Perfection: Bake medium-sized cookies for about 10 minutes. For larger cookies, bake for 13-15 minutes. The cookies should still appear slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven, with the edges lightly golden. This is crucial for achieving that desirable soft and chewy texture. Avoid overbaking! These cookies don’t spread significantly during baking, maintaining their shape.
10. Cool and Store: Let the freshly baked cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, store your delightful M&M cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. That’s if they last that long!

Choosing the Perfect Spring Cookie Sizes

The size of your cookies can greatly impact their baking time and how they’re enjoyed. This recipe is versatile, allowing you to create cookies of various dimensions to suit your preference:

• Large Cookies: If you prefer a more substantial treat, using a large cookie scoop (approximately ¼ cup of dough) will yield about 12 generously sized cookies. These are perfect when you want a single, satisfying dessert that truly stands out.
• Medium Cookies: For a slightly smaller, more shareable option, a medium scoop (about 1½ tablespoons of dough) will produce 18-20 cookies, each around 3 inches in diameter. These are ideal for cookie platters, gifting, or when you want to enjoy a few without overindulging.

Adjust your baking time accordingly – larger cookies will need a few extra minutes in the oven, as noted in the instructions, to ensure they are cooked through but still delightfully soft.

Creative Add-ins to Elevate Your Spring Cookies!

While these M&M cookies are fantastic as is, there’s always room for a little extra fun and personalization! Consider these exciting add-ins to make your spring cookies even more delightful:

• Sparkling Sprinkles: For an ultimate funfetti effect and an extra touch of sparkle and charm, fold in some colorful sprinkles along with your M&M’s. The mix of textures and vibrant colors will make your cookies truly stand out.
• Easter Candy Fun: Embrace the Easter spirit by adding in crushed malted milk balls or small chocolate Easter eggs. These additions bring extra layers of flavor and a festive touch that’s perfect for the holiday.
• Chocolate Chip Variations: While we absolutely adore the creamy richness of white chocolate chips in this recipe, feel free to switch things up! You can substitute them with classic semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or even butterscotch chips for a different flavor profile.
• Nutty Crunch: For added texture and a hint of nutty flavor, a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans can be a wonderful addition. Toasting them lightly beforehand will enhance their flavor even further.
• Citrus Zest: A little lemon or orange zest can brighten the flavors, adding a fresh, zesty note that complements the sweetness of the candies, making them even more spring-appropriate.

Optimal Storage and Freezing Tips for Maximum Freshness

To ensure your delicious Soft & Chewy M&M Cookies remain as fresh and delightful as possible, proper storage is key. And if you’re a planner, you’ll love our freezing tips for enjoying homemade cookies anytime!

• Storing Baked Cookies: Once your cookies have cooled completely to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container. They will stay wonderfully soft and fresh for up to 4-5 days at room temperature. For an extra touch of freshness, you can place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies; the bread will absorb moisture and help keep the cookies soft (just remember to replace the bread every day or so).
• Freezing Cookie Dough for Later: The beauty of this recipe extends to its freezer-friendly dough! You can scoop or roll the cookie dough into individual balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours), then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls directly on a prepared baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time since they are frozen. This makes fresh-baked cookies incredibly convenient for those unexpected cravings or spontaneous gatherings!

As you can see, these M&M Easter Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a way to make any celebration, especially Easter, truly memorable. Their vibrant colors and delicious taste make them perfect for sharing with loved ones. Consider baking an extra batch and letting your guests take them home as a sweet gesture of appreciation. Everyone loves a homemade cookie, and as we’ve already established, one can never truly have enough cookies! We encourage you to share your baking adventures and creations on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook using #cookiesforlife. Hoppy Baking!

More Delectable M&M Dessert Ideas!

If you’re as much of an M&M fan as we are, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic recipes:

• Thick & Chewy Chocolate M&M Cookies
• M&M Easter Egg Marshmallow Fudge Brownies
• M&M Chocolate Chip Candy Cookies
• M&M Christmas Cookies
• Easter M&M Chocolate Chip Blondies
• M&M Cookie Bars
• M&M Marshmallow Bars
• Patriotic M&M Party Cookie Bars

Even More Dessert Inspiration!

Looking for other sweet treats to brighten your day? Dive into these delightful dessert recipes:

• 10 Easy Patriotic Desserts
• Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs
• Brown Sugar Brownie Bars
• Top 15 Luscious Lemon and Berry Desserts
• Easter Jelly Bean Cookies
• Easy Easter Candy Nests
• Carrot Cake Truffles
• 35 Festive Homemade Easter Treats