Colorful M and M Christmas Treats

The festive season is synonymous with warmth, joy, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cookies. Among the myriad of holiday treats, homemade M&M Christmas Cookies stand out as a beloved classic. These delightful cookies offer a perfect blend of fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture with the cheerful crunch of red and green M&M candies, making them an absolute must-have for any holiday celebration. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie, bursting with vibrant colors and rich chocolatey goodness—it’s pure holiday magic!

What makes these cookies truly special is their incredible simplicity and speed. You can have a batch of these delectable treats ready for your family and friends in under 20 minutes! This recipe is a fantastic choice for busy holiday bakers, and even beginners will find it incredibly easy to master. It’s a delightful spin-off from our popular Soft Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies, ensuring that same level of soft, chewy perfection that everyone craves.

Why These M&M Christmas Cookies Are an Absolute Holiday Essential

There are countless reasons to adore these fun and festive M&M Christmas Cookies. They embody the spirit of the holidays with their vibrant red and green M&M’s, adding a burst of color and a delightful crunch to every soft, chewy bite. These aren’t just cookies; they’re edible little pieces of joy that brightens any holiday spread.

These Soft & Chewy M&M Cookies are a brilliant addition to your Christmas baking list. Whether you’re planning for cookie exchanges, creating thoughtful gifts for loved ones, hosting Christmas parties, or simply leaving a special treat for Santa Claus, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. And of course, don’t forget to save a few for yourself to enjoy!

The beauty of this recipe lies in its accessibility. You don’t need to be an experienced baker to achieve perfect results. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can whip up impressive batches of these cookies in mere minutes. Imagine the smiles when you deliver these amazing homemade cookies to friends and family – it’s a gift from the heart. So, gather your baking supplies, prepare to indulge, and get ready to create some of the best Christmas cookies around!

Looking for more holiday inspiration? Explore our 60 Easy No-Bake Christmas Treats or try our classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies for even more festive ideas!

Essential Ingredients for Your Festive M&M Christmas Cookies

Creating these delightful M&M Christmas Cookies requires a few staple baking ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The combination of these simple components yields a cookie that is rich in flavor and wonderfully textured. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Butter: The foundation of any good cookie, providing richness and tenderness.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a lovely caramel note and contributes to the soft, chewy texture.
• White Sugar: Essential for sweetness and helps with the cookie’s structure.
• Egg: Acts as a binder, helping the ingredients come together and adding moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances all the other flavors, giving the cookies a warm, inviting aroma.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that provides structure to the cookies.
• Baking Soda: The leavening agent that helps the cookies rise slightly and achieve their soft texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the full depth of flavor.
• Red and Green M&M Candies: The stars of the show, providing festive color and a delightful chocolatey crunch.

Baking Perfect M&M Christmas Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple instructions to create a batch of irresistibly soft and chewy M&M Christmas Cookies that will be the highlight of your holiday season. Precision in measurements and technique ensures the best results for these cookies.

1. Prepare Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures your cookies bake evenly from the start.
2. Line Baking Sheets: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use ungreased baking sheets, but parchment is highly recommended for perfectly browned bottoms and no-fuss removal.
3. Melt the Butter: Place your butter in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for approximately 25 seconds, or until about half of the butter is melted, and the other half remains slightly solid but very soft. This partially melted butter technique is key to achieving that wonderfully soft and chewy texture.
4. Combine Sugars and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, add the brown sugar and white sugar to the partially melted butter. Stir well with a spoon or spatula until thoroughly combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
5. Add Wet Ingredients: Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until they are just combined with the sugar-butter mixture. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; simply combine until no streaks of egg or vanilla are visible.
6. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Overmixing the flour can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as the dry ingredients disappear into the dough.
7. Fold in M&M Candies: Gently fold in the M&M candies by hand. If you desire a more visually appealing cookie, reserve a few candies to press onto the tops of the cookie dough balls just before baking. This ensures plenty of colorful M&M’s are visible on the surface.
8. Scoop the Dough: Use a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to portion out 12 uniformly sized cookies. For smaller cookies, use a medium-sized scoop (about 1½ tablespoons) to yield 18-20 cookies. Arrange the dough balls evenly on your prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between them 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; this is crucial for maintaining their soft and chewy texture. They will continue to set as they cool. Avoid overbaking! These cookies are designed not to spread excessively during baking, maintaining a nice, thick profile.
10. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This initial cooling on the warm baking sheet helps them set properly without breaking.

Tips for Achieving the Best M&M Christmas Cookies

• Do Not Overbake: This is perhaps the most important tip for soft and chewy cookies. Remove them from the oven when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft or underbaked. They will continue to cook on the hot baking sheet.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: While the butter is partially melted, ensuring your egg is at room temperature helps it emulsify better with the butter and sugar, creating a smoother, more uniform dough.
• Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge, rather than scooping directly from the bag. This prevents over-packing the flour, which can make your cookies dry and crumbly.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, leading to tougher cookies.
• Add Extra M&Ms on Top: For that picture-perfect look, gently press a few extra red and green M&M’s onto the top of each cookie dough ball before baking. This ensures the vibrant colors are prominent once baked.
• Quality Matters: Using good quality butter and fresh M&M candies will always yield a better-tasting cookie.

Storing Your Delicious M&M Christmas Cookies

Once your M&M Christmas Cookies have cooled completely, proper storage is key to keeping them fresh and delicious for days. Place the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully soft and chewy for up to 4-5 days. For best results, you can place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies; the bread will absorb moisture, helping to keep the cookies softer for longer.

Can You Freeze M&M Christmas Cookies? Absolutely!

This recipe is incredibly versatile and perfect for making ahead of time, especially during the busy holiday season. Freezing both baked cookies and raw dough is a fantastic option!

• Freezing Baked M&M Christmas Cookies: Once your cookies are completely cool, place them in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Lay them flat in a single layer if possible, or separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply take them out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours. They will taste just as fresh as the day they were baked!
• Freezing Raw M&M Cookie Dough: Freezing the cookie dough is a brilliant time-saver. Scoop the dough into individual balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze the dough balls for about an hour until they are firm. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To bake from frozen, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and place the frozen dough balls on a prepared baking sheet. You will need to add an extra 2-4 minutes to the baking time compared to fresh dough, so keep an eye on them.

Cookie Size Options: Customize Your Batch

The size of your M&M Christmas Cookies can vary based on your preference and the occasion. Adjusting the scoop size will affect both the baking time and the yield of your batch:

• If you opt for large cookies, using a ¼ cup scoop, you will get approximately 12 generously sized, impressive cookies. These are perfect for a grand display or a more substantial treat.
• For a medium-sized cookie, which is typically around 3 inches in diameter, use a medium scoop (about 1½ tablespoons). This will yield approximately 18-20 cookies. This size is ideal for cookie exchanges, gift bags, or everyday snacking. Remember to adjust baking times accordingly – larger cookies will need more time, while smaller ones will bake faster. Always look for the slightly underbaked center for that desired soft chewiness.

Creative Variations for Your M&M Christmas Cookies

While the classic M&M Christmas Cookies are perfect as they are, there’s always room for a little creativity! Here are some fun ideas to customize your batch and make them uniquely yours:

• Add Festive Sprinkles: For an extra dose of holiday cheer and a full Christmas funfetti effect, mix in some green and red sprinkles along with your M&M’s. This adds another layer of texture and visual appeal that kids and adults alike will love.
• Chocolate Chip Boost: If you’re a true chocolate lover, consider adding white chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips to the dough. The combination of classic M&M’s and extra chocolate chips creates an even richer and more indulgent cookie experience.
• Seasonal Swaps: Don’t limit these amazing cookies to just Christmas! The beauty of M&M’s is their wide range of colors for different holidays. Switch out the red and green M&M’s for pastel colors for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, red, white, and blue for patriotic holidays, or any color combination for themed parties like a Super Bowl gathering or Valentine’s Day. It’s a simple change that transforms the cookie for any occasion.
• Nutty Addition: For a delightful crunch and added flavor, fold in about ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the cookie dough.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg can add a wonderful warm, holiday spice note to your cookies, complementing the chocolate and vanilla flavors beautifully.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: For an even more decadent treat, once the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle them with a simple cream cheese frosting or a vanilla glaze.

Frequently Asked Questions About M&M Christmas Cookies

Can I use regular M&M’s instead of red and green ones?

Yes, absolutely! While the red and green M&M’s add a festive touch perfect for Christmas, any color of M&M’s will work just as well in terms of taste and texture. Feel free to use classic M&M’s or explore other seasonal colors for different holidays.

Why are my cookies flat?

Flat cookies can result from several factors:

• Over-melted Butter: If your butter is too liquid, the cookies may spread too much. The “partially melted” technique is important for this recipe.
• Too Much Sugar: An excess of sugar can cause cookies to spread.
• Warm Dough: If the dough is too warm, the butter will melt too quickly in the oven. You can chill the dough for 15-30 minutes if it seems too soft.
• Greased Baking Sheets: If you’re not using parchment paper, ensure your baking sheets are not overly greased, as this can contribute to spreading.

How can I make my M&M Christmas Cookies even chewier?

To enhance the chewiness:

• Use More Brown Sugar: Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds moisture and chewiness. This recipe already uses a good ratio, but you can slightly increase brown sugar while reducing white sugar (keeping total sugar constant) for extra chewiness.
• Slightly Underbake: As mentioned in the instructions, removing cookies when they are still slightly underdone in the center helps maintain a chewy texture.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, which can make cookies tough rather than chewy.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes! This dough is excellent for making ahead. You can prepare the dough and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly before scooping and baking. You can also freeze the raw cookie dough balls as detailed in the “Freezing M&M Christmas Cookies” section above.

What if I don’t have a cookie scoop?

No problem! You can use two spoons to drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet. For more uniform cookies, you can lightly flour your hands and roll the dough into balls.

As you can see, these M&M Christmas Cookies are more than just a dessert; they are a delightful experience that will make your Christmas holiday extra special. Their vibrant colors and delicious taste make them perfect for gifting to friends and family in a pretty tin, or for bringing to cookie exchanges. They also make an excellent addition to party trays and, of course, are sure to be a favorite for Santa himself!

These M&M Christmas Cookies are incredibly delicious! It’s time to get baking, enjoy the joy of gifting, and savor every bite of these amazing cookies. Don’t forget to pair them with our Easy Hot Chocolate Bombs or impress your guests with this super fun Christmas Tree Pull Apart Cupcakes Cake!

Share your creations and spread the holiday cheer on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook!

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• Soft Batch Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Birthday Cake Cookies
• M&M Pretzel Bars
• Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• M&M Marshmallow Bars
• Best No Chill Sugar Cookies
• Grinch Sugar Cookies

Don’t miss our 10 Super Sweet Christmas Tree Desserts To Pine Over for more enchanting holiday treat ideas!

Recipe adapted from M&M Easter Cookies.