Name: Christmas M&M Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2¼ cups all-purpose flour (280 g); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened (170 g); ¾ cup packed brown sugar (150 g); ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g); 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup Christmas M&M candies (about 7 oz); ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional, about 3 oz)

Christmas M&M Cookies are a fun and festive treat with soft, chewy centers, lightly crisp edges, and plenty of colorful red and green M&M candies in every bite. Made with buttery cookie dough, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla, they have that classic homemade cookie flavor that everyone loves.

These cookies are easy to make and perfect for holiday baking with the family. Whether you’re putting together a Christmas cookie tray, sharing treats with friends, or leaving a few out for Santa, they bring a little extra sweetness to the season. Plus, the bright candy colors make them feel special without any extra decorating.

Christmas M&M Cookies Ingredients

All-purpose flour: 2 ¼ cups (280 g) Gives the cookies their structure and soft, chewy texture.
Baking soda: 1 teaspoon Helps the cookies spread and brown evenly.
Salt: ½ teaspoon Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
Unsalted butter: ¾ cup (170 g), softened Adds a rich, buttery taste and tender texture.
Brown sugar: ¾ cup (150 g) Keeps the cookies moist and chewy with a hint of caramel flavor.
Granulated sugar: ½ cup (100 g) Adds sweetness and helps create lightly crisp edges.
Egg: 1 large Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons Brings warmth and classic homemade cookie flavor.
Christmas M&M candies: 1 cup (200 g) Add colorful red and green festive touches and a delicious chocolate crunch.
White chocolate chips (optional): ½ cup (85 g) Add extra sweetness and creamy white chocolate flavor.

How to Make Christmas M&M Cookies

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

3. Mix the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth and well combined.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Gently fold in the Christmas M&M candies and white chocolate chips, if using. Reserve a few candies to decorate the tops.

5. Shape and Bake

Scoop the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 9–12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.

6. Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This allows them to set while keeping their centers soft and chewy. Enjoy them warm or store them in an airtight container once completely cooled.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: These Christmas M&M Cookies use simple pantry ingredients and come together without any complicated steps.
Soft and Chewy: Each cookie has a tender center, lightly crisp edges, and a delicious buttery flavor.
Festive and Colorful: Red and green M&M candies make these cookies perfect for Christmas parties, holiday cookie trays, and homemade gifts.
Family-Friendly: Kids will love helping mix the dough and adding colorful candies to each cookie.

Tips and Shortcuts

Measure the Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off rather than scooping directly from the bag. Too much flour can make the cookies dry.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined to keep the cookies soft and tender.
Chill the Dough if Needed: If the dough feels too soft or sticky, refrigerate it for 20–30 minutes to help prevent excessive spreading.
Avoid Overbaking: Remove the cookies when the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue to set as they cool.

What to Serve with Christmas M&M Cookies

Christmas M&M cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or a fun baking afternoon with the kids. Serve them with cold milk or a mug of hot cocoa for a simple festive treat. You can also arrange them with gingerbread and sugar cookies on a colorful dessert platter to share with friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Christmas M&M Cookies ahead of time ?

Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 2–3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, scoop the dough into balls and bake as directed.

Chilling isn’t always necessary for this recipe. However, if the dough feels too soft or you want thicker cookies, refrigerate it for 20–30 minutes before baking.

Can I make these cookies without white chocolate chips ?

Of course! White chocolate chips are optional. The cookies will still taste delicious with buttery dough and colorful M&M candies alone.

How to Store Leftovers

Refrigerator Storage

Let the Christmas M&M Cookies cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 4–5 days for the best soft, chewy texture. If you prefer refrigerating them, they can last up to 1 week.

Freezer Storage

Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30–60 minutes or microwave for 5–10 seconds before serving.