If there’s one recipe that captures the absolute joy and playful spirit of spring, it’s the Easter M&M Cookies Recipe. These cookies are the perfect fusion of melt-in-your-mouth softness and irresistible pops of pastel color, thanks to plenty of festive M&M’s scattered throughout. Every bite is bursting with buttery vanilla flavor, the rich crunch of chocolate candy, and that awe-inspiring bakery-style texture. Whether you’re baking for an Easter celebration or just sharing sweet moments with loved ones, these cookies turn even an ordinary afternoon into something marvelously special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s gather everything you’ll need for the Easter M&M Cookies Recipe. Each ingredient is simple, but every one has an important role to play, from creating the perfect base dough to adding those photo-worthy pops of color and chocolatey goodness.
- All-purpose flour: This forms the sturdy, chewy structure of your cookies—don’t skimp or substitute for best results!
- Baking soda: A must for lift and softness, giving the cookies just the right amount of rise.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances out the sweetness beautifully.
- Unsalted butter, softened: The base of buttery richness and classic homemade cookie flavor; soft butter guarantees easy mixing and tender cookies.
- Granulated sugar: For crisp edges and a traditional cookie sweetness.
- Packed light brown sugar: Adds depth, moisture, and that signature chewy texture everyone loves.
- Large egg: Binds everything together for a cookie that holds its shape.
- Large egg yolk: Extra richness and chewiness—it’s a little trick for that perfect bakery-style bite.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses deep, aromatic flavor into every single cookie.
- Pastel-colored Easter M&M’s: The star of the show—these bring color, crunch, and a festive feel to each bite.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: For those melty chocolate pockets that make every cookie decadent.
- Extra M&M’s for topping: Pressed on top for that professional, picture-perfect finish.
How to Make Easter M&M Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F—a hot oven ensures you get cookies with just the right amount of golden edges and soft centers. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, which makes for easy cleanup and guarantees your cookies won’t stick. This small step sets you up for cookie success!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This step may seem simple, but it evenly distributes those leaveners and ensures you won’t end up with any overly salty, lumpy bites. A quick whisk is all it takes for a perfect cookie crumb.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together your softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about two to three minutes with a hand mixer. Creaming is key for that irresistible cookie texture and ensures your dough will bake up tender and flavorful.
Step 4: Add the Egg, Yolk, and Vanilla
Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until everything is completely combined and smooth. The extra egg yolk gives these cookies an edge with their wonderful chewiness and buttery flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until just combined—over-mixing leads to tough cookies, so stop as soon as the flour disappears. You want the dough to be thick, smooth, and irresistible.
Step 6: Fold in M&M’s and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the pastel Easter M&M’s and chocolate chips, making sure every spoonful of dough is brimming with color. Reserve a handful of M&M’s for topping if you want that bakery-style finish.
Step 7: Shape and Top the Dough Balls
Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized portions and place them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. For an extra-festive look, press a few additional M&M’s gently into the tops of each dough ball.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake your Easter M&M Cookies Recipe for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft. For truly bakery-worthy cookies, be careful not to overbake—cookies continue to firm up as they cool!
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This bit of patience is crucial; it helps set the centers so you get that soft, chewy end result that’s pure cookie bliss.
How to Serve Easter M&M Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a festive flair, sprinkle a few extra pastel M&M’s on top right after baking, while the cookies are still warm. You can also add a gentle dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle a tiny bit of melted white chocolate for added pizzazz. The burst of color and sweetness makes these cookies irresistible on any dessert platter.
Side Dishes
Pair the Easter M&M Cookies Recipe with a big glass of cold milk, a creamy latte, or even a warm mug of hot chocolate for a comforting treat. If you’re serving these for a spring brunch, they’re wonderful alongside a fresh fruit salad or berry parfaits to balance out the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a few cookies in clear treat bags tied with pastel ribbon for adorable party favors, or arrange them on a tiered cake stand for a wow-worthy Easter dessert display. For a fun twist, tuck them into Easter baskets for a homemade touch that always gets rave reviews. These cookies are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the taste buds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Easter M&M Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to a week—if they last that long! Make sure the container seals well to keep every cookie chewy and delicious.
Freezing
If you want to keep extra cookies on hand (or bake ahead for a busy holiday), these freeze beautifully. Layer cooled cookies with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months. You can also freeze dough balls and bake fresh cookies any time the craving strikes.
Reheating
For freshly-baked flavor, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds before serving. If reheating frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature or warm in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to revive that fresh-from-the-oven magic.
FAQs
Can I use different colored M&M’s if it’s not Easter?
Absolutely! Swap in any seasonal or favorite colors for year-round celebration—think red and green for Christmas, or classic rainbow M&M’s whenever the mood strikes. The recipe stays just as tasty!
How can I make my cookies extra thick and chewy?
For bakery-style thick cookies, chill your dough for 30 to 60 minutes before baking. This little bit of patience stops the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and gives them a gorgeous chewy center.
What’s the best way to measure flour for cookies?
Spoon flour lightly into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Too much packed flour can make cookies dense—fluffy cookies start with accurate measuring!
Can I substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips?
Definitely! White chocolate, milk chocolate, or even peanut butter chips work beautifully in the Easter M&M Cookies Recipe. Mix and match for your own signature twist.
Are these cookies suitable for gifting?
Yes! They hold up well and look beautifully festive. Let them cool completely, then package in cellophane bags or boxes for a homemade gift that’s always a hit.
Final Thoughts
Baking a batch of Easter M&M Cookies Recipe is hands down one of the happiest ways to celebrate the season. These cookies are simple, colorful, and guaranteed to bring smiles to anyone who tries them. Get ready for your kitchen to be full of sweet scents—and for the cookie jar to empty faster than you ever expected!
Print
Easter M&M Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easter M&M Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft and chewy cookies packed with pastel-colored M&M’s and chocolate chips, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any spring gathering.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional:
- 1 cup pastel-colored Easter M&M’s
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Extra M&M’s for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine and Fold: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in the Easter M&M’s and chocolate chips.
- Scoop and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheets. Press extra M&M’s on top of each dough ball. Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- For bakery-style cookies, chill the dough for 30–60 minutes before baking.
- These cookies freeze well—store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
