These cookies are the perfect blend of flavor and festivity. The colorful M&M’s make them a visual hit on any dessert tray, while the buttery, soft texture keeps everyone coming back for more. They’re easy to make with pantry staples and customizable depending on your preference. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing treats for a crowd, these cookies are always a favorite.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter (softened)
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Holiday M&M’s (red and green)
Optional: semi-sweet chocolate chips for extra richness
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Fold in holiday M&M’s and optional chocolate chips.
Scoop dough by rounded tablespoons and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
Press a few extra M&M’s on top of each cookie for a festive look.
Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers are still soft.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 cookies. Preparation time: 15 minutes Baking time: 10 minutes Cooling time: 10 minutes Total time: 35 minutes
Variations
Double Chocolate: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dough for a rich chocolate base.
Peanut Butter Version: Replace some of the butter with peanut butter and use peanut M&M’s.
Mini Cookies: Use a smaller scoop to create bite-sized cookies and reduce baking time by 2–3 minutes.
Oatmeal M&M Cookies: Add 1 cup of rolled oats to the dough for extra texture and heartiness.
Mint M&M’s: Use mint-flavored M&M’s for a holiday twist.
Storage/Reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies. To reheat, microwave one cookie for 10–12 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven feel. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months or freeze cookie dough balls and bake directly from frozen (add 1–2 minutes to the baking time).
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough up to 48 hours in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and let it soften slightly before baking.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling is optional but helps prevent spreading. If you have time, chill for 30 minutes before baking.
Can I use regular M&M’s instead of holiday ones?
Absolutely. Use any variety of M&M’s you like if you’re baking outside of the holiday season.
How do I make the cookies look more festive?
Press a few extra red and green M&M’s onto the tops of the dough balls before baking to ensure they stay visible.
What’s the best way to scoop the dough?
Use a cookie scoop for even-sized cookies that bake uniformly.
Why did my cookies turn out flat?
Overmixing the dough, warm butter, or skipping the chilling step can cause cookies to spread too much.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, scoop the dough into balls and freeze on a tray. Once frozen, transfer to a bag and store for up to 2 months.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter is preferred for flavor and texture, but margarine can be used in a pinch. Expect a slightly different result.
Are these cookies good for gifting?
Yes, they hold up well and look festive, making them great for cookie boxes or holiday tins.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Check that your M&M’s are gluten-free as well.
Conclusion
M&M Christmas Cookies are the perfect festive treat for the holiday season. With their soft centers, buttery flavor, and bursts of chocolate from the M&M’s, they’re always a crowd-pleaser. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, these cookies are ideal for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying at home. Add them to your holiday baking list and watch them disappear.
M&M Christmas Cookies are soft, chewy, and buttery cookies filled with festive red and green M&M’s—perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or cozy winter nights.
Author:Catherine
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:24 cookies
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups holiday M&M’s (red and green)
Optional: 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Fold in holiday M&M’s and optional chocolate chips.
Scoop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
Press a few extra M&M’s on top of each cookie for a festive appearance.
Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are soft.
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps reduce spreading.Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking.Press additional M&M’s on top of dough balls for a bakery-style look.Add chocolate chips for a richer flavor combo.Store with a slice of bread in the container to keep cookies soft longer.
