Description of this recipe: These M&M Christmas Cookies are a festive and delicious treat, perfect for holiday baking and sharing with loved ones. Soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips and colorful M&M’s, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The dough is easy to make and freezes well, making it convenient for baking ahead of time.
Why you will love this recipe:
- Festive and Fun: The red and green M&M’s add a cheerful touch to these cookies, making them ideal for Christmas gatherings and parties.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: The cookies have a delightful soft and chewy texture that everyone will love.
- Easy to Make: The recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The cookie dough can be made ahead of time and frozen, allowing you to bake fresh cookies whenever you want.
- Customizable: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips and M&M’s to create your own unique flavor combinations.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted sweet cream butter, softened
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup red and green M&M’s, plus additional for tops of cookies
Preparation:
Step 1: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking soda. This ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is essential for proper rising. Set the flour mixture aside.
Step 2: In a stand mixer (or a medium-sized mixing bowl with a handheld mixer), beat the softened butter for 1 minute on medium-high speed. Make sure the butter is softened but not melted. Softened butter will incorporate air into the dough, resulting in a lighter and more tender cookie.
Step 3: Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the butter and continue mixing for 1 to 1 ½ minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Creaming the butter and sugar together is crucial for creating a soft and chewy cookie.
Step 4: Add the vanilla extract and egg to the butter-sugar mixture. Continue mixing until completely combined. The vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies, while the egg provides structure and richness.
Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Step 6: Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s using a spatula. Gently mix until the chocolate chips and M&M’s are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 7: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet and makes cleanup easier.
Step 8: Using a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, leaving minimal space between the balls of cookie dough (just so they aren’t touching). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly and don’t spread too much.
Step 9: Place the sheet of cookie dough balls into the freezer, ensuring it’s flat with nothing on top that will flatten the cookie dough balls. Freeze the cookie dough balls for at least 30 minutes, but you can freeze them overnight. Freezing the cookie dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too thin while baking and results in a thicker, chewier cookie.
Step 10: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While your oven is preheating, remove the sheet of frozen cookie dough balls. Prepare two other cookie sheets with parchment paper. Separate the frozen cookie dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets (you can use the frozen sheet too!). Place the cookie dough balls 2 inches apart.
Step 11: Bake the frozen cookie dough balls for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center of the cookie is just set. Keep a close eye on the cookies, as baking times may vary depending on your oven.
Step 12: When the cookies are done, remove them from the oven. Being careful of the hot pan, place 6 to 8 extra M&Ms on top of each warm cookie, gently pressing them into the baked cookie. Adding extra M&M’s to the top of the warm cookies makes them even more festive and visually appealing.
Step 13: Allow the cookies to rest on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This allows the cookies to firm up slightly and prevents them from breaking when you move them.
COOKING Rating: Easy
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve these cookies warm with a glass of milk or hot chocolate.
- Package them in festive tins or bags for holiday gifts.
- Bring them to potlucks, cookie swaps, or Christmas parties.
- Enjoy them as a sweet treat any time of day.
Tips:
- For best results, use high-quality ingredients.
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted.
- Don’t overmix the dough.
- Freeze the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Add extra M&M’s to the tops of the warm cookies for a festive touch.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 16-18 minutes Total Time: 56-58 minutes
Nutritional Information: (Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on ingredient amounts and brands.) Calories: Approximately 200-250 per cookie Protein: 2-3 grams per cookie Sodium: 80-100mg per cookie
Conclusion
These M&M Christmas Cookies are a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. Their soft, chewy texture, festive colors, and delicious flavor make them a perfect treat for sharing with family and friends. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a cookie swap, or simply to enjoy at home, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. The recipe is easy to follow, and the results are consistently delicious, making it a go-to recipe for holiday baking. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your ingredients and add your own personal touch to these classic Christmas cookies. Enjoy the process of baking and the joy of sharing these treats with loved ones.
Questions and Answers about this recipe:
Q1: Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter? A: Yes, you can use unsalted butter. If you do, add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the flour mixture.
Q2: Can I use different types of M&M’s? A: Absolutely! Feel free to use any type of M&M’s you like, such as peanut M&M’s, pretzel M&M’s, or even seasonal varieties.
Q3: Can I make these cookies ahead of time? A: Yes, the cookie dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the cookie dough for longer storage.
Q4: Why do I need to freeze the cookie dough? A: Freezing the cookie dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too thin while baking and results in a thicker, chewier cookie.
Q5: Can I add nuts to these cookies? A: Yes, you can add chopped nuts to the cookie dough along with the chocolate chips and M&M’s. Walnuts, pecans, or almonds would all be great additions. “””
