If you’re looking for the ultimate treat to brighten up your cookie jar, M&M Cookies are the cheerful, chocolate-speckled answer to your sweet tooth cravings. These cookies are all about buttery, golden edges and soft, chewy centers, dotted with vibrant M&Ms that add a fun pop of color and a delightful crunch with every bite. Whether you’re baking for a party, packing lunchbox surprises, or just want to whirl up something special for the family, these M&M Cookies are pure joy baked into a classic American dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s keep it simple, but make every ingredient count! Each one plays its own delicious role, from rich butter for flavor to those iconic candies for bursts of color and crunch. Here’s what you’ll need to create these irresistible M&M Cookies:
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): The secret to rich flavor and that classic chewy texture—let it sit out until perfectly soft!
- Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Gives the cookies a sweet, caramel-like depth and helps keep them moist.
- Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps the cookies spread while baking.
- Large Eggs (2): These bind everything together and contribute to that irresistible chewiness.
- Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Brings a warm, inviting aroma and rounds out the sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 ½ cups): The foundation for that perfect cookie structure—don’t overmix!
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise slightly for those perfect soft and puffy centers.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Just enough to balance the sweetness and enhance every flavor in the batch.
- M&M Candies (1 ½ cups): The star of the show—use classic, peanut, or seasonal varieties for a custom spin.
- Mini Chocolate Chips (½ cup, optional): For those who love extra chocolatey bites tucked in every nibble.
How to Make M&M Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Sheet
Set yourself up for baking success by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your M&M Cookies bake up perfectly and are easy to lift off the tray—no sticking or crumbling!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix until the blend turns light, fluffy, and creamy. This step sets the stage for beautiful texture and ensures each bite is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, letting each fully incorporate before adding the next. Pour in that vanilla extract, giving the dough warmth and a bakery-fresh aroma that fills the kitchen as your M&M Cookies start to take shape.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This quick step prevents clumps and guarantees that the rising agents are evenly distributed, giving your cookies their ideal texture.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently—stop mixing as soon as no flour streaks remain to avoid tough cookies. The dough should look soft but not sticky.
Step 6: Fold in M&Ms and Chocolate Chips
Switch to a spatula and gently fold in your M&M candies (and chocolate chips if you can’t resist a little extra chocolate). This ensures the candies stay whole and spread throughout the dough, giving each cookie a perfect mix of color and crunch.
Step 7: Scoop and Decorate
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the dough onto your lined baking tray, spacing the scoops about 2 inches apart. For that bakery-style look, press a few extra M&Ms on top of each mound so every cookie is as photogenic as it is tasty.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10–12 minutes, keeping a close eye around the 10-minute mark. You want golden edges but still-soft centers—the cookies will finish setting as they cool. Let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack.
How to Serve M&M Cookies
Garnishes
If you love your desserts extra-fancy, consider a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a drizzle of melted chocolate over the cooled cookies. For a playful twist, add more colorful M&Ms right after baking while the cookies are still a little warm, letting them melt in just a touch for an eye-catching finish.
Side Dishes
The classic partner-in-crime for M&M Cookies? A tall, chilly glass of milk! Want to think outside the glass? Try dunking them in hot cocoa, pairing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or serving alongside fresh berries for a playful and colorful dessert plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your M&M Cookies into gifts by stacking them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, or layer them in a mason jar for a sweet DIY treat. These cookies also make the ultimate ice cream sandwich base! Or, set up a “cookie bar” at your next party with bowls of sprinkles and extra candies for decorating and dunking fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your M&M Cookies at their chewy best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Slip a slice of sandwich bread into the container—the cookies will steal a bit of its moisture and stay softer for longer!
Freezing
Bake ahead warriors, rejoice! Freeze the unbaked cookie dough in individual scoops on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months. Or freeze the baked cookies once completely cooled—just layer them between sheets of parchment in an airtight container for easy, anytime treats.
Reheating
If your cookies have been stored, a quick zap in the microwave for 7-10 seconds will bring them back to that fresh-out-of-the-oven warmth. For a crispier edge, toast them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. Warm cookies = pure happiness!
FAQs
Why do my M&M Cookies turn out flat?
Flat cookies usually mean your butter was too warm or the dough was overmixed. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking or double-check your baking soda isn’t expired for best results.
Can I use peanut butter M&Ms or other types?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in any variety of M&Ms you love. Peanut, caramel, pretzel, or seasonal flavors are all fantastic in these cookies and keep things exciting.
Why do you press extra M&Ms on top before baking?
This trick keeps the candies bright and eye-catching after baking, just like bakery cookies. Plus, no more hidden M&Ms—all that colorful joy is front and center!
How do I make thicker M&M Cookies?
For thick, bakery-style cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. A slightly colder dough spreads less and results in a taller, chewier cookie.
Are these cookies allergy-friendly?
The classic recipe contains wheat, dairy, eggs, and M&Ms (which may include other allergens). For allergies, look for appropriate substitutions such as dairy-free butter, egg replacers, or allergen-friendly chocolate candies.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard not to smile when there’s a batch of freshly baked M&M Cookies cooling on the counter. These colorful classics are easy, crowd-pleasing, and just plain fun to make. Whether you’re a first-time baker or a seasoned cookie enthusiast, give this recipe a try—your kitchen (and your taste buds) will thank you!
Print
M&M Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These M&M Cookies are a colorful and delightful treat that is perfect for any occasion. With a soft and chewy texture, these cookies are loaded with M&M candies and can be customized with mini chocolate chips for an extra chocolaty experience.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Additional Mix-Ins:
- 1 ½ cups M&M candies
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: Cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add mix-ins: Gently fold in the M&M candies and mini chocolate chips if using.
- Bake: Scoop dough using a tablespoon or cookie scoop onto the prepared baking sheet. Press a few extra M&Ms on top of each dough ball. Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
- Use seasonal M&Ms for fun holiday variations.
- Cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
