These irresistible M&M cookies bring classic comfort to your kitchen in just 20 minutes. Perfectly chewy on the inside with a gentle crisp on the outside, each cookie is studded with colorful M&Ms that add a delightful crunch.
They’re the ideal treat for school bake sales, holiday cookie exchanges, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth. With only 216 calories per serving, these rainbow-speckled delights strike the perfect balance between indulgence and portion control.
Ingredients for Perfect M&M Cookies
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Use unbleached for best texture
- Leavening agents: 1/2 tsp each of baking powder and baking soda for ideal rise
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Enhances overall cookie flavor
- Butter (3/4 cups): Softened at room temperature for better creaming
- Sugars: 1/2 cup granulated and 3/4 cups packed brown sugar for perfect sweetness
- Egg (1): Room temperature for better incorporation
- Vanilla extract (1/2 Tbsp): Adds wonderful aroma
- Mix-ins: 1 cup each of mini chocolate chips and M&M’s for double chocolate goodness
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep: Heat oven to 375°F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper
- Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour, leavening agents, and salt in a bowl
- Cream: Beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy
- Wet ingredients: Mix in egg and vanilla until well combined
- Combine: Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients
- Add goodies: Gently fold in chocolate chips and M&M’s
- Shape: Form 3-tablespoon dough balls and space them 2 inches apart
- Bake: 8-10 minutes until edges are light golden brown
- Cool: Rest for 1 minute on sheet, then transfer to cooling rack
Storage Tips
Keep these yummy M&M cookies fresh and tasty! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a piece of bread in the container to help maintain their soft, chewy texture.
If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months – just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying!
Baking Tips
Want perfect M&M cookies every time? Here’s what works best: Keep your butter at room temperature for about 1 hour before starting – it should be soft but not melty.
Don’t skip the room temperature egg – it helps everything mix better! When measuring flour, use the spoon-and-level method rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup. And my favorite tip: save some M&Ms to press into the tops of the cookies right after they come out of the oven – they’ll look amazing!
Variations
Mix things up with these fun twists! Try different M&M varieties like peanut butter, crispy, or seasonal colors for holidays. Want extra chocolate? Add white chocolate chips along with the regular ones.
For a nutty crunch, mix in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts. You can also make smaller cookies – just adjust the baking time down to 6-8 minutes. Mini M&Ms work great too if you’re making smaller cookies!
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect for so many occasions! Pack them in lunch boxes, serve them at birthday parties, or bring them to bake sales. They’re wonderful with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee.
Make ice cream sandwiches by putting a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cooled cookies. For parties, stack them on a pretty plate and watch them disappear!
M&M Cookies
Equipment
- Cookie Sheet
- Parchment paper or silplat mat
- Large mixing bowl or stand mixer
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cups butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cups light brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 eggs room temperature
- 1/2 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cups mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup m&m’s
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silplat mat.
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl; set aside.
- Add butter, sugar and brown sugar to a large mixing bowl or stand mixer and beat well until creamed together.
- Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Gradually mix in the flour and mix until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips and m&m’s.
- Scoop dough into large balls (about 3 Tablespoons) and place on prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges (Do not over bake.)
- Let stand 1 minute on cookie sheet, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely
