If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate treat to brighten up any day, look no further than these Soft-Baked M&M Cookies. They’re irresistibly chewy, packed with vibrant chocolate candies, and deliver that perfect melt-in-your-mouth joy with every bite. Whether you need a lunchbox showstopper, a festive party platter, or a simple weeknight pick-me-up, this recipe has you covered with foolproof steps that guarantee cookie perfection. The playful pop of M&Ms makes them not just a cookie, but a dose of pure happiness for kids and grown-ups alike!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret behind these Soft-Baked M&M Cookies is an all-star cast of simple pantry staples. Every ingredient plays a big part in bringing you that signature softness, irresistible sweetness, and bursts of playful color.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the ideal structure for perfectly chewy cookies without making them dense.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and achieve those delightfully soft, thick centers.
- Salt: Balances the flavors and subtly enhances the rich, buttery notes.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds melt-in-your-mouth richness and that classic homemade taste.
- Light brown sugar (packed): Gives you depth and that unbeatable chewy, caramel-like texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and crispness to the edges.
- Large egg: Binds everything together, ensuring your cookies hold their shape yet stay soft.
- Large egg yolk: An extra yolk ups the cookies’ moist, tender texture every time!
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with warm, classic cookie aroma.
- M&M’s candies: The show-stopping gems that add pops of color and bursts of chocolate in every bite.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional): For true chocolate lovers, these deepen the flavor and add melty pools throughout.
How to Make Soft-Baked M&M Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This small step makes all the difference for even baking and effortless clean-up, ensuring those cookies slide off without sticking or breaking.
Step 2: Stir Together Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first distributes the leavening and salt evenly, so you don’t end up with uneven cookies. It’s a quick step that results in a better cookie texture every time!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Grab a large bowl and beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until creamy and fluffy. Don’t rush this part—the more you cream, the softer and lighter your cookies will be. It’s like building a buttery, sweet cloud for your M&Ms to land on!
Step 4: Add Egg, Yolk, and Vanilla
Beat in the egg, extra yolk, and vanilla extract until everything is just combined. The additional yolk is the magic touch for the iconic soft-baked texture, making your cookies tender and rich without getting crumbly.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture to the creamy wet batter, stirring just until no streaks of flour remain. Mixing gently keeps your cookie dough soft, not tough—think of it as treating the dough with a gentle hand for the softest finish.
Step 6: Fold in the M&Ms and Chocolate Chips
It’s time for the fun part: folding in those colorful M&Ms and, if you want pure chocolate bliss, the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Gently stir until evenly distributed so every cookie is packed with bursts of color and flavor.
Step 7: Scoop and Decorate Dough Balls
Scoop the dough using about two tablespoons per cookie and space them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. For that iconic bakery look, press a few extra M&Ms right on top of each dough ball—this takes your Soft-Baked M&M Cookies from homemade to absolutely show-stopping.
Step 8: Bake to Soft Perfection
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges look slightly golden and the centers look a little underdone. That’s the secret: underbaking gives you that signature soft, chewy center even after cooling!
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Allow your cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This short rest sets the edges and keeps the centers extra gooey and dreamy. Now you’re ready to indulge!
How to Serve Soft-Baked M&M Cookies
Garnishes
For fun finishing touches, you can sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top or add an extra scatter of mini M&M’s the moment the cookies come out of the oven. It elevates both flavor and appearance, making each cookie look like it belongs in a bakery window.
Side Dishes
Few things pair better with Soft-Baked M&M Cookies than a tall, frosty glass of milk or a creamy mug of hot cocoa. If you’re feeling adventurous, set out bowls of fresh fruit or some vanilla ice cream to balance the sweetness and turn a casual snack into an instant dessert plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a handful in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons for party favors, or pile them on a pretty cake stand and surround with extra M&M’s for a pop of color. For special occasions, shape the dough into hearts or stars, or use specialty M&M’s to match the season—think red and green for holidays, or pastels for spring gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Soft-Baked M&M Cookies chewy for days, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you toss in a slice of bread, it keeps the cookies moist and bakery-soft. The cookies are just as delicious for up to a week, perfect for lunchbox treats or late-night snacks.
Freezing
Both the raw cookie dough (scooped into balls) and baked cookies freeze beautifully. For dough, freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies can be thawed at room temperature whenever a craving strikes!
Reheating
When you’re ready for that fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 8–10 seconds. The M&Ms get warm, the centers go perfectly gooey again, and you’re instantly transported back to the day they were baked.
FAQs
Can I use different types of M&M’s in these cookies?
Absolutely! Try peanut, caramel, or even crispy M&M’s for a fun twist. Seasonal varieties are fantastic for themed occasions, and mixing and matching adds an exciting surprise in every bite.
How do I make sure my Soft-Baked M&M Cookies don’t spread too much?
Be sure your butter isn’t too soft and that you don’t overmix your dough. If you’re working in a warm kitchen, chilling the dough for 20 minutes before baking helps keep the cookies thick and perfectly soft-baked.
Can I omit the chocolate chips?
Definitely—the classic Soft-Baked M&M Cookies are just as delicious without the chocolate chips. The recipe works beautifully either way, depending on how much chocolate you love!
Why add an extra egg yolk?
The additional yolk adds extra moisture and richness, giving the cookies their wonderfully chewy and soft-baked texture. It’s a small addition with a big payoff in softness.
How can I make my cookies even more colorful?
Save some M&M’s to press onto the tops right before baking! For maximum impact, use a mix of mini and standard-sized candies, or go for themed colors that pop for any occasion.
Final Thoughts
Baking up a batch of Soft-Baked M&M Cookies is like sharing a moment of pure joy with those you love most. Every bite is soft, colorful, and utterly irresistible—so don’t be surprised if they disappear before you know it. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, this recipe always brings big smiles. Happy baking!
Print
Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy these delicious Soft-Baked M&M Cookies for a chewy and colorful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. These cookies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional:
- 1 cup M&M’s candies
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract; beat until combined.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the M&M’s and chocolate chips if using.
- Bake: Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls on baking sheets. Press extra M&M’s on top of each dough ball. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden but centers are soft.
- Cool and enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra softness, slightly underbake the cookies.
- Store in an airtight container to keep them chewy for days.
- You can use seasonal M&M’s for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
