Get ready to fall in love at first bite with this Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe! Imagine a soft, brownie-like cookie shell packed with velvety chocolate chips and a rainbow of M&Ms, hiding a molten chocolate center that flows out like a delicious secret when you crack it open. Every element works together for the ultimate treat—these cookies are as showstopping as they are easy to make, and perfect for sharing (or hoarding for yourself, I won’t judge!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how easy it is to assemble these cookies—just a handful of pantry staples and a few special ingredients. Each one brings out another decadent layer in this recipe, from their bold chocolatey base to their irresistibly gooey center. Here’s what you’ll need and why you’ll love having them in your kitchen:
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Use softened butter for extra-creamy dough and those chewy, rich cookie edges.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Helps make the cookies sweet and gives a gentle crisp bite.
- Packed brown sugar (1 cup): Adds a deep caramel note and keeps the cookies soft and fudgy.
- Large eggs (2): These bind everything together for structure and richness.
- Pure vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Don’t skip it—vanilla pulls all the chocolate flavors into focus.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The classic base for that picture-perfect cookie texture.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (3/4 cup): Delivers serious chocolate flavor and a deep color.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Ensures your cookies puff up just the right amount.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate.
- Semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup): For bursts of melty chocolate throughout the cookies.
- M&M’s (1 cup): These add crunch, color, and a playful surprise in every bite—use seasonal ones if you’re feeling festive!
- Small chocolate truffles or squares (12): This is the “lava” in the Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe; use dark chocolate truffles for a less sweet option.
How to Make Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheet
Set the stage for cookie magic by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is essential for creating those signature tender cookies with crackly tops.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in that beautiful vanilla extract to thread warm, inviting flavor through every bite.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Getting everything combined evenly now ensures your cookies bake up just right.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mix into your wet mixture. The dough will turn thick, chocolatey, and impossible to resist. Make sure not to overmix—just blend until there are no more streaks of flour.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips and M&M’s
With love (and maybe a little excitement), fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and half of your M&M’s. This helps distribute pops of melty chocolate and colorful crunch through every cookie.
Step 7: Shape and Fill the Cookies
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough, flatten it a little in your palm, and nestle a chocolate truffle or square in the center. Top with another tablespoon of dough, seal those edges tight, and roll the whole thing gently into a ball.
Step 8: Decorate and Bake
Place the cookie dough balls on your parchment-lined sheet, allowing plenty of space between each (about 2 inches). Press a few extra M&M’s on top for a festive, bakery-style look. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are deliciously soft.
Step 9: Cool (Just a Bit!) and Serve
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so they set up, then move to a wire rack. Seriously though—don’t wait too long, because the Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe is best served warm when the centers are still molten and magical.
How to Serve Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to go all out, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a bakery finish, or drizzle a bit of melted chocolate over the tops for extra decadence. A little sprinkle of flaky sea salt on each one can really set off the chocolate and make the flavors pop!
Side Dishes
These cookies are a natural match with cold milk (classic!), but they’re also heavenly alongside a scoop of vanilla or mint ice cream. For a grown-up twist, try pairing with a cup of dark roast coffee or even a dollop of whipped cream for dessert time bliss.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them high on a colorful plate with extra M&M’s scattered around for a party-ready centerpiece. Or, for gifts, wrap each cookie in parchment and tuck into a festive tin or cellophane bag. You can also arrange them on a platter with a few chocolate truffles to give guests a hint of the surprise inside!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe stays fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. Just make sure the container is truly airtight to keep the cookies soft and chewy.
Freezing
If you want to get ahead, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls (with the truffles inside) for up to two months! Place them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake straight from frozen, just adding an extra minute or two to the bake time.
Reheating
To recapture that gooey lava center, pop a cookie into the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. The chocolate will melt beautifully, giving you the irresistible warmth and molten goodness you crave.
FAQs
Can I substitute the truffles for another type Dessert
Absolutely! Use any small, filled chocolate or your favorite chocolate squares—think caramel, hazelnut, or even peanut butter centers for a fun twist. Just make sure they’re around the size of a standard chocolate truffle, so they fit perfectly in the cookie.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
For thick, bakery-style cookies, make sure your butter is just softened, not melted, and chill your dough for 20–30 minutes before shaping if your kitchen is warm. Baking on parchment paper also helps cookies keep their shape.
Can I make the Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Just swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so everyone can indulge in the surprise!
What’s the best way to get a gooey, molten center?
The secret is not to overbake! Remove the cookies when the edges are set but the centers still look a bit underdone—they’ll firm up as they cool, but stay molten inside. Serving warm is a must for the full lava experience.
Can I use mini M&M’s instead of regular?
Mini M&M’s work wonderfully and give even more colorful bursts in every bite. You might want to sprinkle a few extra on top before baking for maximum visual pizzazz!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe enough—it’s a little celebration in every cookie, perfect for parties, holidays, or any day you just want something extra special. Dive in, bake a batch, and watch every bite bring pure delight. Your inner cookie lover will thank you!
Print
Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream with these decadent Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies. These soft, chewy cookies are filled with a gooey molten chocolate center that will delight your taste buds with each bite.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup M&M’s
Filling:
- 12 small chocolate truffles or chocolate squares (such as Dove or Lindt)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
- Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined.
- Add chocolate chips and M&M’s: Fold in the chocolate chips and half of the M&M’s.
- Assemble cookies: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough, flatten it slightly, place a chocolate truffle in the center, cover with another tablespoon of dough, seal the edges, roll into a ball.
- Bake: Place cookies on baking sheet, press extra M&M’s on top, bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Cool and serve: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm for the molten chocolate center.
Notes
- For a colorful holiday twist, use seasonal M&M’s.
- If you prefer less sweetness, dark chocolate truffles work beautifully.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
