Festive Christmas M&M Cookies

The holidays call for something fun, cheerful, and of course, sweet – and these Christmas M&M Cookies deliver all three. With their soft centers, slightly crisp edges, and bursts of red and green chocolate candies, they’re a cookie platter favorite. Whether you’re baking for a cookie swap, leaving treats for Santa, or simply enjoying a cozy baking day at home, these cookies add a festive touch to the season.

I’ve been making Christmas cookies for as long as I can remember, and these M&M cookies always find their way onto my holiday baking list. There’s something about the colorful candies that make me feel like a kid again, sneaking cookies straight from the cooling rack. Baking these also fills the kitchen with such a warm, buttery aroma that instantly says Christmas has arrived.

If you love holiday baking, you may also enjoy my Oreo Ornament Cookies, Melted Snowman Cookies, Pecan Snowball Cookies, and Christmas Tree Oreos.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bright pops of red and green candies make these cookies festive and fun.
• They’re soft in the center with just the right crisp edges.
• Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
• Perfect for parties, gift tins, or enjoying with a glass of milk.

Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Flour provides structure to the cookies, helping them hold their shape while staying soft.
• Baking Soda: Gives the cookies a light lift and keeps them from being too dense.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of butter and chocolate.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and moisture while giving the cookies that soft, chewy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps the edges bake to a slight crisp.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a deeper caramel-like sweetness and contributes to the chewy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor, rounding out the sweetness.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and give the cookies their tender bite.
• Christmas M&M’s (red and green): These chocolate candies add color, crunch, and fun.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: A classic pairing with M&M’s that makes each bite extra chocolatey.

Substitutions and Additions

• Butter Substitute: Use salted butter if that’s all you have, just reduce the added salt slightly.
• M&M’s Options: Swap the Christmas M&M’s for any seasonal variety or use mini M&M’s for more even candy distribution.
• Chocolate Chips: Try white chocolate or dark chocolate chips for a twist.
• Festive Touch: Add sprinkles in holiday colors for an extra festive cookie tray.

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy.

Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This ensures the baking soda is evenly distributed.

Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with the granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. It will take about 2–3 minutes with an electric mixer and helps create soft, tender cookies.

Add Vanilla and Eggs

Beat in the vanilla extract, then add the eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg so the dough becomes smooth and creamy.

Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until everything comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Fold in M&M’s and Chocolate Chips

Use a spatula to gently fold in the M&M’s and chocolate chips. Folding in these ingredients keeps the candies from breaking and spreads them evenly throughout the dough.

Scoop and Bake

Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are light golden but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll continue to set as they cool.

Cool

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Tips and Notes

• Chill the Dough (Optional): If your kitchen is warm, chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps the cookies hold their shape.
• Extra Festive Look: Press a few extra M&M’s on top of the cookies right before baking for picture-perfect cookies.
• Batch Baking: Use two baking sheets so you can rotate batches in and out of the oven without waiting.
• Avoid Overbaking: Remove the cookies when the centers look just set. They’ll firm up as they cool.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve Warm with Milk: Enjoy straight from the oven with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate holiday treat.
• Holiday Cookie Swap: Package a dozen in a festive tin or box for sharing.
• Coffee Break Treat: Pair with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa on a chilly afternoon.
• Dessert Platter: Mix with other holiday cookies for a colorful dessert tray.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Freeze unbaked dough balls for quick holiday baking – just bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.