M&M Christmas Cookies

If you’re searching for a festive treat that truly captures the joy of the holiday season, look no further than these 7 irresistible M&M Christmas Cookies. Bursting with colorful candy-coated chocolates and a delightfully soft yet chewy texture, these cookies bring warmth and sweetness to any holiday gathering. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just to indulge yourself, these M&M Christmas Cookies combine classic flavors with a fun, holiday twist that will brighten up your Christmas celebrations and make your kitchen smell like holiday magic.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Vibrant Holiday Colors: The colorful M&M candies add a festive touch that instantly brings Christmas cheer to your plate.
• Perfect Texture Balance: These cookies have the perfect balance of chewy centers and slightly crisp edges to satisfy every bite.
• Simple Ingredients: You don’t need complicated baking tools or rare ingredients—just everyday pantry staples mixed with holiday spirit.
• Kid-Approved Fun: A great activity for baking with kids or sharing with family, spreading joy through taste and togetherness.
• Versatile Recipe: Easy to customize with nuts, white chocolate, or festive spices to suit your personal holiday flavor preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of M&M Christmas Cookies lies not only in their festive look but also in their simple, wholesome ingredients. Each plays a crucial role: from the richness of butter to the burst of chocolate and color from M&Ms, every element contributes to the ultimate merry magic of these cookies.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the soft, chewy base of your cookie dough providing structure without heaviness.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become perfectly soft inside while maintaining crispy edges.
• Salt: Balances flavors by enhancing the sweetness and deepening the chocolate’s taste.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds creamy richness and aids in creating tender textures when properly creamed.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that classic cookie crunch around the edges.
• Brown Sugar: Brings moistness and a caramel-like depth that complements the chocolate and candy perfectly.
• Large Eggs: Bind the dough ingredients and add moisture for chewy consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors with a warm and inviting aroma.
• M&M Candies: The star of the show, melting slightly and adding pops of color and chocolate in every bite.
• Optional – Chopped Nuts: Adds a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor contrast if desired.

Variations for M&M Christmas Cookies

One of the best parts about M&M Christmas Cookies is how easily they adapt to your holiday mood and pantry contents. Feel free to get creative with these variations to make a recipe uniquely yours or accommodate dietary preferences.

• White Chocolate Delight: Swap standard M&Ms with white chocolate varieties for a creamy twist.
• Peanut Butter M&M Cookies: Add a half cup of creamy peanut butter to the dough for extra richness and nutty flavor.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make it allergy-friendly.
• Spiced Holiday: Incorporate festive spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to evoke cozy Christmas vibes.
• Double Chocolate: Mix cocoa powder into your dough for chocolate lovers seeking an intense experience.

How to Make M&M Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. This ensures your cookies rise beautifully and have perfect texture.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air which creates soft, tender cookies.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the large eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and cohesive.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and producing tough cookies.

Step 6: Fold in M&Ms

Gently fold in your M&M candies and any optional nuts, making sure they are evenly distributed but not crushed.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are golden but the centers remain soft.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking and helps set the texture perfectly.

Pro Tips for Making M&M Christmas Cookies

• Chill Your Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes if you want thicker cookies with less spread.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix ingredients just until combined to avoid dense, tough cookies.
• Use Room Temperature Butter: It creams better with sugar, creating a perfect cookie crumb.
• Watch Baking Time Closely: Remove cookies when edges are golden but centers are soft for chewy results.
• Customize M&M Placement: Press a few extra M&Ms on top of each cookie before baking for an eye-catching look.

How to Serve M&M Christmas Cookies

Garnishes

For an extra festive flair, sprinkle powdered sugar over cooled cookies to simulate snow or drizzle white chocolate for winter wonderland vibes.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa or creamy eggnog to create a cozy and complete holiday treat experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange cookies in a wreath shape on a decorative platter or package them individually in colorful cellophane bags tied with ribbons for gifting and sharing holiday cheer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your M&M Christmas Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, making them perfect for multiple holiday parties.

Freezing

Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

Warm cookies briefly in the microwave (about 10 seconds) or oven to revive their softness and bring the M&Ms back to melty perfection.

FAQs

Can I use other types of candy instead of M&Ms?

Absolutely! You can swap M&Ms for mini chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces, or even holiday-themed candy for different flavors and looks.

Are these cookies crunchy or chewy?

These M&M Christmas Cookies are designed to be chewy in the center with lightly crisp edges, offering the best of both worlds.

How long does it take to make these cookies?

From start to finish, including baking and cooling, it typically takes around 30 to 40 minutes to make a batch.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes! Simply substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free chocolate M&Ms or a similar candy to keep the cookies allergy-friendly.

What’s the best way to prevent M&Ms from melting too much?

Gently fold M&Ms into the dough and avoid overmixing; pressing a few on top of the cookies before baking helps keep their shape and vibrant color.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly heartwarming about biting into freshly baked M&M Christmas Cookies during the holiday season. These recipes make it easy to spread joy through colorful, delicious treats that everyone will love. Whether you stick to the classic or try a playful variation, these cookies will sweeten your celebrations and create lasting festive memories. So grab your mixing bowl, get those M&Ms ready, and enjoy baking a batch of happiness this Christmas!

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