M&M Cookies For Christmas Anyone Can Make
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These M&M cookies for Christmas are just what you need if you’re looking for a simple holiday treat that feels festive without the hassle. They’re soft, chewy, and perfectly chocolatey, with a pop of red and green that makes them look as good as they taste. Made with straightforward ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes, they’re perfect for sharing with loved ones or leaving out for Santa. No stress, no fuss, just cookies that everyone will love.
In my home, M&M Christmas cookies are always the first to disappear. They’re my kids’ top pick for Santa’s plate, because who could resist the colorful M&Ms and melt-in-your-mouth softness?
With just a little time and a few simple ingredients, I can whip up a big batch that looks festive and feels homemade. Whether we’re enjoying them warm with a Christmas blend coffee during the holidays or pairing them with a glass of milk any time of year, these cookies are simple, fun, and always a no-fail holiday favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and Chewy Goodness: These cookies are everything you want in a treat—soft, buttery centers with perfectly crisp edges. Add in gooey chocolate chips and crunchy M&Ms, and they’re irresistible.
- Loaded with Chocolate: Packed with both M&Ms and chocolate chips, every bite delivers a rich, chocolatey flavor and a delightful crunch.
- Effortless for Beginners: Simple steps make this recipe perfect for anyone, even if it’s your first time baking. No freezing the dough—just mix, bake, and enjoy
- Kid-Approved Fun: The colorful M&Ms and sweet, buttery flavor make these cookies a hit with kids, but trust us, adults love them just as much!
- Stress-Free Make-Ahead Option: Save time by preparing the dough in advance. Fresh cookies on demand mean less stress and more time to enjoy the festivities, perfect for hosting a stress-free holiday party!
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are the ultimate homemade gift. Whether for the holidays or any time of year, they’re guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face
How to Make M&M Cookies For Christmas
M&M cookies for Christmas are a holiday staple that’s as easy as it is festive. They’re a cheerful upgrade to classic chocolate chip cookies, perfect for adding a little extra joy to your celebrations. These cookies are unbelievably easy and come together in just 15 minutes of prep time, making them ideal for busy holiday schedules. Plus, they bake perfectly every time, so you can enjoy stress-free baking that still impresses.
Ready to make them? Scroll to the bottom of this post for the printable recipe card with everything you need to whip up a batch today!
Ingredients You Need
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt: I always add a little salt to balance the sweetness and bring out all the flavors.
- Butter: Adds richness and creates that ideal chewy texture. I use unsalted butter so we can control the salt level separately.
- Granulated sugar: This gives the cookies their sweetness and just a little crispness on the edges.
- Packed brown sugar: Adds moisture for softer cookies and gives a hint of caramel flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Boosts the flavor with a touch of warmth and sweetness, and makes your kitchen smell amazing while the cookies bake.
- Eggs: The glue that holds everything together while keeping the cookies tender and soft.
- M&Ms: Red and green M&Ms bring a festive pop of color. Use your favorite type—milk chocolate, dark chocolate, peanut, peanut butter, almond, or pretzel.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: These melt into little pockets of chocolatey goodness in every bite.
Step-By-Step Instructions
If you’re looking for a treat that’s festive, fun, and totally stress-free, M&M cookies for Christmas are your answer. They’re simple to make, perfect for little helpers in the kitchen, and bring all the joy of homemade baking without the hassle. Kids love adding the colorful M&Ms (and sneaking a few, of course!), while you’ll love how foolproof this recipe is.
Mix the dry ingredients, whip up the wet ones, combine them, and bake. That’s it! You’ll have soft, chewy, chocolate-filled cookies that look as good as they taste
Step 1: Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your cookies from sticking.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside—it’ll be ready to mix in later.
Step 3: Cream butter and sugars
Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Once the dough comes together, gently fold in your festive Christmas M&Ms and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Step 5: Bake
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Substitutions
This recipe keeps things simple with easy, everyday ingredients you probably already have at home. No need for special grocery trips. But if you’re out of something or want to customize, here are a few effortless substitutions to make it work for you
- All-purpose flour: If you need a gluten-free option, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works perfectly and keeps the same great texture.
- Butter: I always use unsalted butter to control the salt in my cookies, but if you only have salted butter, just skip the extra salt in the recipe. Dairy-free? Swap in margarine or coconut oil for a similar result.
- Packed brown sugar: Out of brown sugar? Coconut sugar or dark sugar like demerara make great substitutes and bring a slightly different flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Add a twist by using almond extract for a nutty flavor or maple extract for a warm, cozy touch.
- M&Ms: Red and green M&Ms are a holiday favorite, but you can mix it up with regular M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces or even colorful sprinkles for something different.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Feel like experimenting? White chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or chopped peppermint bark add a fun seasonal vibe to these cookies.
Expert Tips
- Freeze the m&ms for perfect cookies: To keep the M&Ms from cracking in the oven, freeze them before adding to the dough. Mini M&Ms are another great option since their smaller size makes cracking less likely. For that extra festive touch, press a few more M&Ms on top of each cookie as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Don’t overmix: Gently mixing the dough until just combined keeps the cookies thick, soft, and chewy. It’s a foolproof way to avoid ending up with flat or crispy cookies.
- Chill for better results: If the dough feels too soft or sticky, a quick 30-minute chill in the fridge will help. This simple step ensures your cookies bake up beautifully and don’t spread too much in the oven.
- Easy fix for odd shapes: If your cookies bake into uneven shapes, don’t stress. Grab a round cookie cutter or the rim of a jar, place it around the warm cookie, and gently shape it into a perfect circle.
- Customize for every celebration: These cookies aren’t just for Christmas. Swap out the red and green M&Ms for colors that match other holidays or events to make them work all year long.
How to Store This Recipe
To keep your M&M cookies for Christmas fresh and ready to enjoy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. A cool spot in the kitchen is ideal to keep them soft and delicious. If you’re planning to enjoy them later, place the cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Thinking ahead? Freezing the dough is a great option. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months. When you’re ready to bake, just let the dough thaw in the fridge overnight, and you’ll have freshly baked cookies without any extra hassle.
What to Serve with M&M Cookies for Christmas
Pair your M&M cookies for Christmas with a festive drink, and you’ve got a treat that’s as effortless as it is special. A glass of milk is always a go-to, but they’re just as delightful with a warm cup of tea like matcha or something more festive like your favorite holiday coffee drinks (don’t forget the eggnog creamer!).
Looking to make things extra special? Add these cookies to a dessert spread or a holiday charcuterie board with other Christmas treats like Christmas tree Oreos. For a playful twist, try serving them with chai ice cream. However you enjoy them, these cookies bring a little extra joy and simplicity to your holiday season – stress-free and delicious!
More Easy Dessert Recipes To Try
- Dirty chai earthquake cookies
- Matcha sugar cookies
- Red velvet cake
- Apple cinnamon cake
- Chocolate sage ice cream
If you make these M&M cookies for Christmas, I’d love for you to leave a review! Every comment and 5-star rating means a lot and helps others find and enjoy this recipe too.
Christmas M&M Cookies Anyone Can Make
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups Christmas M&M’s red and green
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your cookies from sticking.
- Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside—it’ll be ready to mix in later.
- Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Once the dough comes together, gently fold in your festive Christmas M&Ms and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- To keep the M&Ms from cracking in the oven, freeze them before adding to the dough. Mini M&Ms are another great option since their smaller size makes cracking less likely. For that extra festive touch, press a few more M&Ms on top of each cookie as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Gently mixing the dough until just combined keeps the cookies thick, soft, and chewy. It’s a foolproof way to avoid ending up with flat or crispy cookies.
- If the dough feels too soft or sticky, a quick 30-minute chill in the fridge will help. This simple step ensures your cookies bake up beautifully and don’t spread too much in the oven.
- If your cookies bake into uneven shapes, don’t stress. Grab a round cookie cutter or the rim of a jar, place it around the warm cookie, and gently shape it into a perfect circle.
- These cookies aren’t just for Christmas. Swap out the red and green M&Ms for colors that match other holidays or events to make them work all year long.
