Indulge in the festive spirit with these soft, chewy, and irresistibly delicious Christmas M&M Cookies. Bursting with seasonal colors and chocolatey goodness, these cookies are a guaranteed hit for both kids and adults, making them an essential addition to your holiday baking repertoire. For an extra touch of cheer, roll them in colorful sprinkles!
The holiday season brings with it a magical time for baking, and nothing captures that joy quite like a fresh batch of homemade cookies. Christmas baking isn’t just about creating treats; it’s about making memories, filling your home with wonderful aromas, and sharing the warmth of the season with loved ones. If you’re looking to expand your holiday cookie collection beyond these delightful M&M Cookies, be sure to explore more festive options. Consider adding classics like my favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe, elegant Spritz Cookies, or light-as-air Meringue Cookies to your Christmas cookie platter this year.
There’s something truly special about holiday baking, but for me, it’s those holiday cookies, generously covered in festive red and green M&Ms and a generous cascade of sprinkles, that truly steal the show. These Christmas M&M Cookies are more than just a treat; they are a celebration of the season, bringing vibrant colors and delightful flavors to any gathering.
Not only are these cookies incredibly delicious, but their appearance is undeniably festive. The combination of bright red and green M&Ms makes them instantly recognizable as a holiday favorite. Whether you decide to roll the cookie dough balls in a shower of festive sprinkles or keep them classic with just the M&Ms, these cookies are absolutely perfect for any Christmas cookie platter, adding a cheerful touch that guests will adore.
And let’s be honest, the kids absolutely go wild for these! The colorful M&Ms and playful sprinkles make them a visually appealing treat that children can’t resist. Watching their faces light up as they pick out their favorite colorful cookies is one of the many joys of holiday baking.
This recipe is designed to be straightforward and rewarding, even for novice bakers. The result is a batch of soft, chewy cookies with that perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of saltiness, making them utterly addictive. They’re robust enough to travel well to holiday parties, yet delicate enough to melt in your mouth. Prepare to become everyone’s favorite baker with this fantastic recipe!
Key Ingredients for Perfect Christmas M&M Cookies
Crafting the perfect Christmas M&M cookie starts with understanding the role each ingredient plays. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why:
- Butter: For the best results, I recommend using unsalted butter. This gives you full control over the salt content in your cookies. A fantastic feature of this recipe is that you don’t have to wait for the butter to reach room temperature, which is a major time-saver during busy holiday preparations! We’ll be partially melting it, which contributes to the soft and chewy texture.
- Sugars: This recipe calls for a combination of both granulated sugar and brown sugar. Granulated sugar provides crispness and spreads a little, while brown sugar adds moisture, depth of flavor, and contributes significantly to that wonderfully soft, chewy texture we all love in a good cookie. The molasses in brown sugar also adds a subtle caramel note.
- Vanilla Extract: To achieve a truly rich and comforting flavor, always opt for real vanilla extract. While a full tablespoon is my preference for a prominent vanilla profile, feel free to adjust this amount if you prefer a more subtle hint of vanilla. It’s a key ingredient that elevates the overall taste.
- Eggs: It’s crucial to use large eggs for this recipe, and ideally, have them at room temperature. The size of the eggs affects the moisture balance and structure of the cookies. If your eggs are medium or extra large, it could subtly alter the final consistency and texture of your delicious treats. Room temperature eggs also blend more smoothly into the butter and sugar mixture, creating a more cohesive dough.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of our cookies. All-purpose flour provides the necessary structure without making the cookies too dense or too cake-like. Ensure you measure your flour correctly, preferably by weight, or by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off.
- Cornstarch: This secret ingredient is what makes these cookies exceptionally soft and chewy. Cornstarch helps to tenderize the dough and prevents the cookies from becoming too crisp or dry. It’s a game-changer for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Baking Soda: A crucial leavening agent, baking soda reacts with the brown sugar and other acidic components to give the cookies a beautiful rise and a slightly chewy interior. This helps prevent them from becoming flat and dense.
- Salt: Don’t underestimate the power of salt in sweet baking! I love using a good quality sea salt to enhance all the other flavors, providing a wonderful sweet and salty balance that makes these cookies even more irresistible. It truly brightens the taste and prevents them from being overly sweet.
- M&Ms: Of course, these are the stars of our Christmas M&M Cookies! To make them truly festive and capture the spirit of the holidays, you’ll want to use red and green M&Ms. You can often find holiday-themed packages around Christmas time.
- Christmas Sprinkles: While entirely optional, adding sprinkles is a fantastic way to elevate the festivity and fun factor of these cookies. Rolling the dough in colorful Christmas sprinkles creates a dazzling visual appeal that makes them even more enticing, especially for younger bakers and eaters. They add a delightful crunch and extra burst of color.
Baking Magic: How to Make Irresistible Christmas M&M Cookies
Get ready to fill your kitchen with the glorious aroma of fresh-baked cookies! Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of festive Christmas M&M Cookies:
- Preheat Your Oven and Prep Your Baking Sheets: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (like a Silpat liner). This prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze.
- Prepare the Butter: Take your unsalted butter and cut it into tablespoon-sized pieces. Place these pieces in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the butter for about 45 seconds, or until it is approximately 75% melted – it should still have some solid pieces, not be fully liquid. If necessary, add a few more seconds, but be careful not to completely melt it. Alternatively, you can achieve this on the stovetop over low heat. Once partially melted, remove the bowl and let the butter cool for about 5 minutes. This cooling step is important to prevent cooking the eggs when they are added.
- Combine Butter and Sugars: Transfer the partially cooled butter into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add both the granulated sugar and the light brown sugar.
- Cream Until Fluffy: Using your mixer (or a hand mixer), cream the butter and sugars together on medium speed until the mixture is light, smooth, and fluffy. This process typically takes 2-3 minutes. Proper creaming incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ soft texture.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Crack the large eggs into the bowl, one at a time, mixing briefly after each addition until just combined. Then, pour in the vanilla extract. Continue mixing until everything is well incorporated and the mixture looks smooth and glossy. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt to ensure they are evenly distributed. Gradually add this dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer. Mix on low speed just until the dough starts to come together and no streaks of dry flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough should have a soft, pliable consistency – not too sticky, not too dry.
- Fold in M&Ms: Reserve a small handful of M&Ms to press onto the tops of the cookie dough balls later for a prettier presentation. Add the remaining red and green M&Ms to the cookie dough. Gently fold them in by hand using a spatula. This prevents the M&Ms from getting crushed and ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form and Decorate Cookie Balls: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, roll the dough into uniform balls, each about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons in size. This consistency ensures even baking. If you’re opting for sprinkles, pour your Christmas sprinkles into a shallow bowl and gently roll each dough ball in the sprinkles until coated. Alternatively, you can press a few of the reserved M&Ms onto the tops of the cookie dough balls for a colorful finish.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the prepared cookie dough balls onto your parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring they are at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 9-11 minutes, or just until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers still look slightly soft. It’s crucial not to overbake these cookies, as this is key to maintaining their soft and chewy texture.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the baking sheets from the oven. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period allows the cookies to set and firm up without breaking. Serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor!
Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect M&M Christmas Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality cookies at home is easier than you think with a few clever tricks:
- Gentle M&M Incorporation: When adding the M&Ms to the dough, always stir them in by hand using a spatula. If you attempt to use a stand mixer, the M&Ms tend to get smashed and broken, losing their vibrant color and distinct shape. Hand mixing preserves their integrity and makes for a more appealing cookie.
- Aesthetics Matter: For a picture-perfect finish, reserve a small handful of M&Ms (about 1/4 cup) from the package. After you’ve rolled the cookie dough into balls, gently press a few of these reserved M&Ms onto the tops of each cookie dough ball before baking. This ensures that plenty of colorful M&Ms are visible on the surface of the baked cookies, making them even more festive and inviting.
- Sprinkle Smart: If you choose to use sprinkles, especially larger or shaped sprinkles, be aware that they might melt slightly if they are positioned on the very bottom of the cookie, directly against the hot baking sheet. While they remain perfectly edible, they might just look a little less defined or “messier.” Interestingly, in my experience, kids often prefer the larger, more substantial sprinkles even if they melt a bit, finding them more fun! For best results, aim to coat the sides and top more heavily.
- Storage Solutions: To keep your Christmas M&M cookies fresh and soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their deliciousness for 5-6 days, but honestly, they taste absolutely best within the first 3 days of baking.
- Freezing for Freshness: These cookies freeze beautifully! You can either freeze the baked cookies or the raw cookie dough balls.
- To freeze baked cookies: Allow them to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about 30 minutes until solid. Then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- To freeze cookie dough: Roll the dough into balls as directed, then arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flash freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place them on a baking sheet and bake from frozen, adding an extra 2-4 minutes to the baking time. This is perfect for fresh-baked cookies on demand!
- Don’t Overbake: This is perhaps the most critical tip for soft cookies. Keep a close eye on your cookies in the oven. They are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly pale and set. The cookies will continue to cook slightly as they cool on the hot baking sheet, so pulling them out when they look just barely done will ensure they remain wonderfully soft and chewy.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to baking a batch of Christmas M&M Cookies that are not only visually stunning but also perfectly delicious every single time!
Discover More Irresistible Christmas Cookie Recipes
The holiday season is an ideal time to explore a variety of festive treats. If you’re looking for more delicious cookies to add to your holiday dessert table or gift baskets, here are some fantastic recipes that are sure to delight:
- Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms: A timeless favorite, these chewy peanut butter cookies topped with a Hershey’s Kiss are always a crowd-pleaser.
- Soft Ginger Cookies: Spiced with warm ginger and molasses, these soft, chewy cookies capture the essence of Christmas in every bite.
- Peppermint Holiday Soft Sugar Cookies: Buttery soft sugar cookies infused with refreshing peppermint and often topped with a sweet glaze, perfect for a winter wonderland theme.
- Cozy Hot Cocoa Cookies: Imagine your favorite warm drink in cookie form! These chocolatey cookies mimic the comforting flavors of hot cocoa, often complete with mini marshmallows.
- Elegant Cranberry Thumbprint Cookies: A beautiful and flavorful cookie featuring a tender shortbread base with a tart cranberry jam filling, adding a touch of sophistication to your platter.
Each of these recipes offers a unique flavor and texture, ensuring your holiday cookie assortment is diverse and exciting. Happy baking, and enjoy creating delicious memories this Christmas season!
Christmas M&M Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 cup 16 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 10 oz package red and green M&Ms
- Christmas sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Cut the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 45 seconds until 75% melted; add more time if needed. Let the butter sit for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
- Once the butter has cooled, place it in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Add both the granulated sugar and the brown sugar. Mix together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs (one at a time) and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until the dough starts to come together and no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
- Reserve a few M&Ms for topping the cookies. Gently stir the rest of the M&Ms into the dough by hand using a spatula.
- Roll the dough into balls, about 1 1/2 tablespoons each. If desired, roll the balls in holiday sprinkles or press additional M&Ms into the tops of the dough. Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet, at least 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies for about 9-11 minutes, or just until the edges start to brown and the centers are set but still soft. Do not overbake.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.