Christmas M&M Cookies Treat

Christmas M&M cookies are that nostalgic classic everyone rushes over for at holiday gatherings. These festive cookies bake up with crisp edges and thick chewy centers full of melty chocolate and pops of red and green. The dough comes together quickly so you can have them cooling on the counter before the first Christmas song even finishes.

I started baking these with my mom and sister as soon as we could reach the mixer we even used to sneak a few extra M&Ms onto our cookies for extra chocolate.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: gives the cookies their signature tender crumb choose good quality butter for the richest flavor
• Granulated sugar: helps the cookies spread just right use white sugar for classic sweetness
• Brown sugar: adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor pack your measuring cup for accurate results
• Large egg: helps the cookies hold together make sure it is at room temperature for easy mixing
• Pure vanilla extract: gives warmth and depth always use real vanilla for best taste
• All purpose flour: creates the perfect structure for chewy cookies sift before measuring if your flour is lumpy
• Baking soda: creates gentle lift for thick cookies make sure your baking soda is fresh for best results
• Baking powder: encourages a little more rise check the date on your tin for reliable cookies
• Salt: balances sweetness and brightens flavor use fine salt so it mixes in evenly
• Red and green M&Ms: add festive color and chocolate pops the classic holiday touch choose the freshest candies for the brightest color press extras on top right before baking for big bakery style appeal

Instructions

Preheat the oven:

Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the cookies lift off easily without sticking

Cream the butter and sugars:

Use a hand or stand mixer to beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugar for about two minutes until the mixture looks pale and fluffy this step creates air pockets that keep cookies soft

Add the wet ingredients:

Mix in the room temperature egg and pure vanilla extract continue beating until fully incorporated and the dough looks creamy and smooth the warmth from the egg helps bind everything together

Combine dry ingredients:

In a separate bowl whisk together the all purpose flour baking soda baking powder and salt whisking helps evenly distribute the rising agents and salt so your cookies bake evenly every time

Mix wet and dry together:

With your mixer on low add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture slowly only mix until no streaks of flour are visible do not overmix here since that can make cookies tough

Add M&Ms:

Use a spoon or spatula to gently fold in one cup of the red and green M&Ms folding keeps the colors from breaking up and distributes candies evenly in every bite

Form dough balls:

Scoop out dough in tablespoon sized portions roll gently between palms if you like a rounder shape and set them well spaced on your prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading

Top with more M&Ms:

Carefully press some of the reserved M&Ms into the surface of each dough ball this gives every cookie a bakery style finish and ensures lots of candy color on top

Bake and cool:

Bake for about nine to eleven minutes the edges should be set and lightly golden the centers will look soft let cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving to a wire rack so they finish firming up without overbaking

My favorite part is always choosing the brightest M&Ms and seeing the gooey centers melt together on a snowy afternoon One of my earliest kitchen memories is sneaking a sample with my sister as soon as they came out of the oven and still too hot.

Storage Tips

Store cooled cookies in an airtight tin or zip top bag at room temperature They keep their softness for up to four days If you want to keep them longer pop them into the freezer in layers separated by wax paper Cookies thaw quickly at room temperature for speedy treats.

Ingredient Substitutions

No holiday M&Ms on hand Use regular M&Ms peanut butter chips or chocolate chips for a twist You can even try chocolate chunks for pools of chocolate in every bite For dairy free swap in vegan butter and a flax egg for egg free cookies.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies stand alone but they are extra festive as part of a dessert plate with other holiday sweets They make adorable gifts when tied with ribbon in clear cellophane bags Kids love pairing them with hot cocoa or leaving for Santa.

Cultural and Historical Context

M&Ms became a Christmas cookie must have when holiday colors hit the shelves in the 1980s bringing extra cheer to cookie swaps and classroom parties The bright red and green colors are now nearly as classic as gingerbread and bring a playful touch to Americana baking traditions.

Seasonal Adaptations

Switch up M&M colors for other holidays such as pastels at Easter or orange and brown for autumn Add peppermint extract or a sprinkle of crushed candy cane for extra sparkle Mix in some mini chocolate chips or white chocolate for an even richer batch.

These cookies have become my go to for holiday cookie exchanges and last minute treats because they never fail If you try them once they will become part of your holiday baking memories too.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use regular M&Ms instead of holiday colors?

Yes, regular M&Ms or even chocolate chips work well and offer a different look or flavor.

→ How do I keep the cookies soft?

Avoid overbaking. Remove from the oven when edges are set and allow to cool on the baking sheet.

→ Can I freeze the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. Scoop dough balls, freeze them, and bake directly from the freezer, adding a minute or two to bake time.

→ What makes these cookies festive?

The red and green M&Ms add classic holiday color, making each cookie visually cheerful and inviting.

→ Can I double the batch for a crowd?

Yes, simply scale up all ingredients. Make sure to mix thoroughly for even distribution of M&Ms.