These festive M&M Christmas cookies are a delightful treat for the holiday season. Soft, chewy, and loaded with colorful M&Ms, they are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
This recipe is simple and can be made in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for holiday baking or cookie exchanges.
Creating the Perfect Holiday Treat
When the holiday season rolls around, the kitchen becomes a hub of activity, filled with the delightful scents of baking. Among the many treats that grace the table, M&M Christmas cookies stand out for their vibrant colors and irresistible taste.
These cookies are not just a visual treat; they offer a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth. The combination of buttery dough and sweet chocolate candies creates a festive experience that everyone can enjoy.
Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or simply indulging in a cozy night at home, these cookies are sure to bring joy to all who taste them.
Ingredients That Shine
The beauty of M&M Christmas cookies lies in their simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a batch that yields about 24 cookies.
Key ingredients include unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and, of course, colorful M&M candies. The addition of chocolate chips is optional, but they can enhance the chocolatey goodness.
Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making these cookies a must-have for your holiday baking list.
Steps to Cookie Perfection
Making these cookies is a straightforward process that can be completed in under an hour.
Start by preheating your oven and preparing your baking sheets. Creaming the butter and sugars together creates a light and fluffy base, which is essential for the chewy texture.
Once the wet ingredients are mixed, gradually incorporate the dry ingredients, and finally, fold in the M&Ms. The dough should be dropped onto the baking sheets, allowing enough space for the cookies to spread while baking.
Baking and Cooling
As the cookies bake, the kitchen fills with a warm, inviting aroma that signals the holiday spirit.
Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake for about 10-12 minutes. The edges should turn lightly golden, while the centers may appear slightly underbaked.
This is perfectly fine, as they will continue to firm up while cooling on the baking sheet. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Suggestions
Once your cookies are cool, it’s time to showcase them! A festive plate filled with these colorful treats can be the centerpiece of any holiday gathering.
Consider pairing them with a glass of milk or hot cocoa for a delightful snack.
These cookies also make fantastic gifts; simply package them in a decorative tin or box to share the joy of baking with friends and family.
Creating Lasting Memories
Baking M&M Christmas cookies is more than just a culinary task; it’s an opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones.
Gather family members in the kitchen, and let everyone participate in the mixing and decorating process.
As you enjoy the fruits of your labor, you’ll find that these cookies are not just a treat, but a celebration of togetherness during the holiday season.
Easy M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe
These cookies feature a buttery dough mixed with chocolate M&Ms, creating a sweet and colorful addition to your holiday dessert table. The recipe yields about 24 cookies and takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups M&M candies
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir 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 mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Add M&Ms: Fold in the M&M candies and chocolate chips if using.
- Scoop the Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked; they will continue to cook on the baking sheet.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 22g