Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes. These cookies store and freeze well, making them a great make ahead option for holiday baking . You can prepare the dough a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. You can also freeze dough balls and bake them straight from frozen. The baked cookies stay soft for several days, so they are ideal for gifting and cookie boxes .

Do I need to chill the dough?

No. This recipe is designed as a no chill cookie dough, but a short chill can help if your dough feels warm or sticky. Chilling for ten to twenty minutes will help the cookies keep their shape and bake thicker with more pronounced edges.

Can I add other mix ins besides M&M’s?

Absolutely. These cookies are very flexible. Try adding chopped nuts, toffee bits, crushed candy cane, or swapping out the chocolate chips for white, milk, or dark chocolate. You can also add a sprinkle of flaky salt for a sweet and salty finish. Just avoid adding ingredients with excess moisture, which could affect the texture.

Why are my Christmas M&M cookies flat?

Flat and thin cookies often come from overly soft butter, warm dough, or too little flour. Make sure the butter is softened but not melted, and measure flour using the spoon and level method. Chilling the dough for ten to fifteen minutes can help if your kitchen is warm. Also check your baking soda to make sure it is fresh and active. Using parchment paper instead of greasing a pan prevents excess spread and ensures thicker cookies.

How do I keep the M&M’s from cracking?

Press the M&M’s gently into the tops of the dough balls right before baking rather than mixing too many into the dough itself. This helps prevent cracking and ensures bright, visible color. Also avoid overbaking, since extended heat can cause the candy coating to split.

Why are my Christmas M&M cookies not chewy?

A lack of chew usually means the cookies were overbaked or the flour was overmeasured. The usual culprit is scooping flour directly from the bag instead of spooning and leveling. Pull the cookies when the edges look barely set and the centers look soft. They will firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the tray before moving them to a rack. This method keeps every cookie a perfect chewy cookie with a gooey middle.

M&M Christmas Cookies

Description

Festive red and green M&M Christmas cookies are super soft and chewy with the crispiest edges. Quick and easy to make in 20 minutes with no chill time.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup M&M's (plus a little more for the tops)
1/2 cup chocolate chips, semi-sweet

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine.
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
Add the dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Fold in the M&M’s and chocolate chips gently to avoid breaking the candies.
Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out 2 tablespoon balls of cookie dough. Drop onto the prepared baking sheet or use your hands to roll into smooth balls if desired (for smoother edges). Space the cookies a few inches apart (you can fit about 6-8 on a large cookie sheet). Press a few additional M&M’s onto the tops of each dough ball for a festive look.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges just start to brown. DO NOT OVERBAKE. The cookies may not look done in the middle, but they will continue to cook as they are cooling. Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool in the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

How to store: Store cooled M&M cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. If stacking cookies, separate layers with parchment paper to protect the M&M tops. Keep them in a cool, dry place to maintain their soft texture. You can store them longer in the refrigerator but their texture will change slightly.

How to reheat: Warm a cookie in the microwave for a few seconds to soften the center and warm the chocolate chips. You can also warm several cookies on a baking sheet in a low oven if serving to guests.

How to freeze (cookies or cookie dough): Once cool, freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer safe bag. They keep for up to three months. To freeze the dough before baking, roll or scoop the dough into balls, freeze on a tray until hard (about 1-2 hours), then store in a freezer bag. Bake frozen dough balls directly from frozen by adding two minutes to the bake time.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Cookies
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American