The Ultimate Soft & Chewy M&M Cookies: Your Go-To Easy Recipe
Indulge in the perfect M&M Cookies – wonderfully soft, delightfully chewy, and bursting with rich chocolate flavor and vibrant M&M’s. These homemade cookies boast crispy, golden edges, reminiscent of your favorite bakery treats, making them an irresistible delight for any occasion.
These M&M Cookies hold a special place in my heart, being one of the very first recipes I mastered as a child. Even now, decades later, they remain a beloved staple in my baking repertoire. It’s truly one of those recipes you make so frequently that the steps become second nature, etched into your memory. Alongside my cherished Homemade Brownies, I’ve been whipping up these delightful treats since I was probably just 10 years old. They are consistently loaded with an abundance of chocolate, delivering that sought-after soft and chewy texture that ensures they vanish from the plate in record time!
What truly elevates these M&M Cookies and sets them apart is their incredible softness and chewiness. The secret lies in the careful balance of sweeteners: using a greater proportion of brown sugar compared to white sugar imparts a richer, deeper flavor profile and contributes significantly to their tender, moist texture. Additionally, I swear by incorporating a touch of cornstarch into the cookie dough. While you won’t taste it at all, this unassuming ingredient is a game-changer, ensuring a thicker, more substantial cookie every single time. It helps prevent excessive spreading, resulting in beautifully plump cookies that hold their shape and deliver a satisfying bite.
For those eager to explore another dimension of decadence and truly impress with a rich, thick, and utterly indulgent treat, you absolutely must try these Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies. They’re a fantastic twist that always leaves people wondering about the magic ingredient!
Essential Ingredients for the Perfect M&M Cookies
For the exact measurements and full instructions, make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the COMPLETE PRINTABLE recipe card.
Crafting these delectable M&M cookies requires a few pantry staples, each playing a crucial role in achieving their signature taste and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Butter: Softened to room temperature, quality butter forms the foundation of a rich, tender cookie.
- Brown Sugar: This is key for moisture and chewiness, contributing a caramelized depth of flavor.
- White Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create those coveted crispy edges.
- Vanilla Extract: A staple in baking, vanilla enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
- Eggs: Act as binders and add richness, contributing to the cookie’s structure and texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient, providing structure. Ensure it’s measured correctly (spooned and leveled).
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the full flavor of the chocolate.
- Baking Soda: Our leavening agent, which helps the cookies rise and achieve that soft, slightly puffed center.
- Cornstarch: The secret ingredient for extra thickness and chewiness, preventing cookies from spreading too thin.
- Chocolate Chips: I prefer semi-sweet, but you can choose your favorite type for an extra chocolate boost.
- M&M’s: The star of the show! Divided for mixing into the dough and topping for a stunning finish.
You might notice that this recipe calls for both chocolate chips *and* M&M’s. My family has always been enthusiastic about chocolate, so this dual-chocolate approach is how I’ve always made them. It guarantees an extra layer of chocolatey goodness in every bite, something we truly adore. If you prefer to scale back on the chocolate, you can certainly use only M&M’s, but I highly recommend trying it with both. If you are a true chocolate lover, you will not be disappointed – the combination adds a fantastic depth and variety of texture that makes these cookies truly special!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Irresistible M&M Cookies
Creating these delightful M&M cookies is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these easy steps to achieve perfect, bakery-style results every time:
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a large bowl and a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture is light, fluffy, and noticeably paler in color. This crucial step incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ light texture.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until just blended.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients in the mixer bowl. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Stop as soon as no white streaks of flour remain.
- Fold in the Candies and Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and 1 cup of the M&M’s using a spatula. Reserve the remaining 1/2 cup of M&M’s for topping the cookie dough balls before baking – this ensures those vibrant candies are visible and beautiful on top of each cookie.
- Chill the Dough: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form golf-ball-sized portions of dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This parchment paper is essential to prevent sticking and for even baking. Place the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is vital for preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, leading to thicker, chewier cookies.
- Prepare for Baking: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350º F (175º C). Once the dough is chilled, take the baking sheet out. Top each ball of dough with a few of the reserved M&M’s. This little trick gives your cookies that professional, “fresh from the bakery” look.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes. Look for edges that are lightly golden brown and centers that appear set but still slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool. Do not overbake if you want them soft and chewy!
- Cool and Enjoy: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a wire rack ensures air circulation all around the cookie, preventing a soggy bottom.
Expert Recipe Tips for the Best M&M Cookies
Achieving cookie perfection is easier than you think with these expert tips:
- The ultimate trick to getting bakery-perfect cookies with those gorgeous, visible M&M’s is to press a few extra chocolate chips or M&M’s onto the top of each scooped dough ball *before* you place them in the oven. This ensures a picture-perfect presentation every single time, making your homemade cookies look like they came straight from a gourmet bakery.
- Want to make these M&M cookies ahead of time? These cookies freeze exceptionally well! Once baked, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Then, place them in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for a quick treat.
- Freeze the cookie dough for convenience. Having ready-to-bake cookie dough in your freezer is an absolute lifesaver for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests. Scoop balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the fridge for 1-2 hours until the dough balls are completely frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer-safe plastic bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply take out 1 or 2 cookies, or a whole dozen, and bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
- While regular M&M’s work beautifully, Mini M&M’s are also fantastic, especially for topping. Their smaller size ensures you get that delightful chocolatey crunch and pop of color in every single bite, making the cookies even more enjoyable.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft and chewy ones.
- Properly Measure Flour: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to too much flour and dry, crumbly cookies.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensuring your butter and eggs are at room temperature allows them to cream together more efficiently, creating a smoother batter that traps air better, resulting in lighter cookies.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking, promotes even baking, and makes cleanup a breeze.
Creative Variations and Customizations for Your M&M Cookies
The beauty of these M&M cookies is how versatile they are! You can easily customize them to suit any holiday, season, or personal preference. We love to use red and green M&M’s every year to transform these into festive treats for Christmas. Nowadays, many stores sell colored candies for every season imaginable, making it incredibly simple to adapt them for Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day, or even a birthday party theme. Just swap out the classic M&M’s for seasonal colors!
Beyond color, consider these delightful variations:
- Different Chocolate: Instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips, try milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips for a unique flavor combination.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for an extra layer of texture and a wholesome flavor boost.
- Candy Bar Mix-ins: Chop up your favorite candy bars and fold them into the dough alongside the M&M’s and chocolate chips for an ultimate loaded cookie.
- Sprinkle Fun: For extra festivity, especially for birthdays, add a handful of colorful sprinkles to the dough.
And if you happen to have frozen cookie dough stored in your fridge, you can even make just a couple of Air Fryer Cookies in minutes to instantly cure those urgent cookie cravings!
More Great Cookie Recipes to Try
If you’re a fan of these M&M cookies, you’ll love exploring other delightful recipes from my collection. Cookies are truly one of life’s simple pleasures, and there’s always a new flavor or texture to discover. Expand your baking horizons with these fantastic options:
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: The classic combo of sweet and salty.
- Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies: A timeless recipe that never disappoints.
- Frosted Sugar Cookies: Ideal for decorating and holiday fun.
- Chick Fil-A Cookies: Recreate that beloved fast-food favorite at home.
- Soft Monster Cookies: Packed with oats, peanut butter, and plenty of mix-ins.
- Andes Mint Cake Mix Cookies: An easy and refreshing mint-chocolate delight.
- Hot Chocolate Cookies: A cozy treat reminiscent of your favorite winter drink.
M&M Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 whole large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cup M&M’s, divided
Instructions
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Mix together the butter, sugar and brown sugar until well combined.
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Mix in the vanilla and eggs.
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Stir in flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt until well mixed.
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Using a spatula fold in chocolate chips and 1 cup M&M’s.
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Scoop small balls of dough (about golf ball size) onto a baking sheet. Top each cookie with a few M&M’s. Chill for 30 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350º F.
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Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly golden brown around the edges.
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Allow to cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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