Name: M&M Cookie Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-486403H59M40S
Total time: PT-486403H59M40S
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup salted butter, softened; 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup M&Ms; 1/2 cup mini M&Ms; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Chocolate chip M&M cookies bring unexpected bursts of colorful sweetness to classic dessert traditions.

Every baker secretly dreams of creating something magical in their kitchen.

Sweet memories cascade from childhood when candy-studded treats meant pure happiness.

Mixing chocolate chips with vibrant M&M candies creates delightful visual excitement for anyone grabbing a plate.

Crisp edges and soft centers promise delectable moments of pure indulgence.

Sharing these cookies guarantees smiles and joyful connections around the table.

You won’t be able to resist making these delightful morsels right now.

Main Ingredients:

Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure to the cookies.
Butter: Creates a rich and creamy base for the cookie dough.
Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps with caramelization.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
M&Ms, Mini M&Ms: Colorful chocolate candies that add fun texture and flavor to the cookies.

Flavor Enhancers:

Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet aroma and depth of flavor.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall taste.

Leavening Agents:

Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, chewy texture.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Set your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a nonstick surface. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup super easy.

Step 2: Blend Creamy Base

Gather these ingredients:

Softened butter
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract

Use an electric mixer to combine these ingredients until they transform into a smooth, fluffy mixture. The blend should look creamy and light.

Step 3: Create Cookie Dough

Mix in these dry ingredients:

All-purpose flour
Salt
Baking soda

Continue using the electric mixer until everything combines into a soft, slightly sticky dough. The texture should be consistent and easy to work with.

Step 4: Add Colorful Candy Chunks

Gently fold in M&Ms using a spatula. Be careful not to crush the candies. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough so each cookie gets a rainbow of colors.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Rounds

Roll the dough into small balls, each about the size of a golf ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving around 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. The centers might look slightly soft, but they’ll firm up while cooling.

Step 7: Cool and Celebrate

Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let cookies rest on the sheet for 3-4 minutes to set. Transfer to a wire rack or parchment paper to cool completely. Enjoy your homemade M&M cookies with a cold glass of milk!

Soften Butter Perfectly: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal creamy texture for mixing.
Prevent Spreading Cookies: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
Distribute M&Ms Evenly: Save a few M&Ms to press on top of each cookie dough ball before baking for a more visually appealing and evenly distributed look.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs and other ingredients are at room temperature to create a more consistent and smoother cookie dough.
Measure Flour Accurately: Gently spoon flour into measuring cups and level off with a knife to avoid dense, dry cookies from using too much flour.

Gluten-Free M&M Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix for a celiac-friendly version.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Alternative: Swap butter for coconut oil, use egg replacer, and substitute M&Ms with dairy-free chocolate chips.
Protein-Packed Cookies: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the dry ingredients and use dark chocolate M&Ms for extra nutrition.
Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of brown and granulated sugar, and choose sugar-free M&Ms to reduce overall sugar content.

Indulge in Delightful Pairings
Chocolate Milk Magic: Creamy chocolate milk complements the sweet M&M cookies perfectly, enhancing the candy's colorful chocolate flavor and creating a nostalgic childhood treat.
Coffee Companion: Brew a medium roast coffee to balance the cookie's sweetness, with the warm beverage cutting through the rich buttery texture and bringing out the M&Ms' chocolate notes.
Ice Cream Bliss: Sandwich these warm cookies with vanilla bean or chocolate chip ice cream for an ultimate dessert experience, letting the cold creaminess contrast with the cookie's soft, chewy texture.
Vanilla Milkshake Delight: Blend a thick vanilla milkshake that echoes the cookie's sweetness, providing a cool, smooth companion that highlights the playful M&M crunch.

Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, maintaining their soft texture and delicious flavor.
Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
Shape dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Store frozen dough for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time.
Keep cookies in a sealed container with a tight lid at room temperature. Consume within 3-4 days for maximum freshness and soft, chewy texture.

How do I prevent M&Ms from melting completely during baking?

Fold M&Ms gently into the dough at the end and press a few extra candies on top of each cookie right before baking to keep their colorful appearance.

Can I use different types of M&Ms in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can mix regular, mini, and even seasonal M&Ms to create unique color combinations and flavor variations.

Why should I cream butter and sugars together?

Creaming helps incorporate air into the mixture, making cookies softer and ensuring a more even texture and consistent sweetness throughout the batch.

What if my dough seems too sticky or soft?

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling into balls, which will help the cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.

Savor Sweet Simplicity: Transform basic ingredients into a colorful, crowd-pleasing treat that brings instant joy to any gathering.
Bake with Ease: Requires minimal baking skills and basic kitchen tools, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers wanting a quick dessert solution.
Customize Your Crunch: Personalize the recipe by mixing different M&M colors or adding complementary ingredients like chocolate chips for unique flavor variations.
Kid-Friendly Cooking: Engaging recipe that allows children to participate in mixing, rolling dough balls, and decorating with colorful candies, creating fun family memories.

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

Healthy recipe development
Plant-based cooking
Nutritional analysis
Food writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique

Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.