These Soft and Chewy Christmas M&M Cookies are pure holiday comfort. They are the kind of cookies that make a kitchen feel warm, cheerful, and busy in the best way. In my opinion, they are perfect for family baking because they look festive, taste rich, and stay soft for days.
What makes these Christmas M&M cookies so good is the simple mix of 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Then you add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 1/2 cups Christmas (red and green) M&M’s, divided. As a result, the cookies bake up sweet, buttery, and chewy with a gentle vanilla flavor and little bursts of chocolate candy in every bite.
The method is easy too. First, you heat the oven to 350°F and line 3 baking sheets with parchment. Then you beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, mix in the eggs and vanilla, and gently blend in the dry ingredients. After that, you fold in the M&M’s, shape the dough, and bake for just 8 to 9 minutes. Since the cookies should stay pale and soft, you do not wait for browning. In just 24 minutes total, you get a batch of 36 cookies that each have about 186 calories.
These cookies are a great choice for holiday trays, school parties, cookie swaps, and cozy nights at home. Also, they travel well, so they are a smart pick for potlucks, office treats, and gift boxes. If you want a festive cookie that is simple, pretty, and dependable, this recipe is a keeper.
Why You’ll Love This Soft and Chewy Christmas M&M Cookies
- They are quick to make, so you can go from mixing bowl to warm cookies in under 30 minutes.
- The ingredient list is simple, and most items are pantry basics.
- The texture is soft and chewy, not dry or crisp.
- The red and green M&M’s make them look holiday-ready with very little effort.
- They are family-friendly, so kids and adults both enjoy them.
- They freeze well, which makes holiday planning much easier.
Butter Tips
The main ingredient here is butter, and for the best cookies, it should be truly room temperature. That means soft enough to press with your finger, but not melty or oily. If the butter is too cold, it will not cream well with the sugars. On the other hand, if it is too soft, the cookies can spread too much. For the best results, use unsalted butter and let it sit out before baking so it blends into a smooth, fluffy base.
Options for Substitutions
- Use salted butter instead of unsalted butter, then reduce the added salt slightly.
- Swap light brown sugar for dark brown sugar if you want a deeper molasses flavor.
- Use mini M&M’s if you want more candy pieces in each cookie.
- Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract for a stronger holiday flavor, but use less since it is bold.
- Try a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend if you need a gluten-free version.
- Use holiday sprinkles along with the M&M’s for extra color and a fun bakery look.
Watch Out for These Mistakes
One common mistake is overmixing the dough after adding the flour. Once the flour, salt, and baking soda go in, mix only until combined. If you keep beating the dough, the cookies can turn tough instead of soft. So, use a light hand at that stage.
Another mistake is baking the cookies too long. These Christmas M&M cookies should come out when they still look pale and a little soft in the center. They will finish setting on the baking sheet. If you wait for browning, you will lose that chewy texture and end up with crisp cookies instead.
Also, do not skip the step of pressing the remaining M&M’s on top right after baking. If you add all the candy before baking, some pieces may sink or crack. However, if you press some onto the tops while the cookies are still warm, they look brighter and more festive.
Finally, be careful with portion size. If the dough balls are too large, the cookies may bake unevenly. If they are too small, they can dry out fast. For the best Soft and Chewy Christmas M&M Cookies, keep the dough balls about 1 1/2 inches wide and leave space between them on the pan.
What to Serve With Soft and Chewy Christmas M&M Cookies?
These Christmas M&M cookies go especially well with a cold glass of milk, a warm mug of hot chocolate, or a cup of coffee for the adults. In addition, they pair nicely with fresh fruit, such as sliced apples or clementines, if you want to balance the sweetness. For holiday gatherings, you can also serve them with a cookie tray that includes peanut butter blossoms, sugar cookies, or fudgy brownies.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If your kitchen is warm, you can refrigerate them for up to 1 week, but let them come back to room temperature before serving.
Freeze: Freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake them later. For best results, place parchment between layers so they do not stick together.
Reheat: To warm the cookies on the stovetop, place them in a covered skillet on very low heat for about 1 to 2 minutes. For the microwave, heat one cookie at a time for 8 to 10 seconds. That is enough to bring back the soft texture without making them tough.
Recipe Info
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 36 cookies
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 180 to 200 per cookie
- Protein: 2 to 3 g per cookie
- Fat: 8 to 10 g per cookie
- Carbohydrates: 24 to 27 g per cookie
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups Christmas (red and green) M&M’s, divided
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Pans
Start by heating the oven to 350°F. Then line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps the cookies bake evenly and makes cleanup much easier. Since the dough spreads a little as it bakes, the parchment also helps prevent sticking.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Place the room temperature butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Beat them with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step matters because it helps create a soft cookie with a tender texture. So, do not rush it.
Step 3: Mix in the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Then beat on medium speed until everything is fully combined. The mixture should look smooth and creamy. At this point, the dough base is ready, and the cookies will start to develop that classic rich flavor.
Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients and Candy
With the mixer on low speed, add the flour, salt, and baking soda just until combined. After that, gently fold in half of the M&M’s. Be careful not to overmix, because that can make the cookies dense instead of soft. The dough should look thick and colorful.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Roll the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the cookies look pale and are no longer glossy on top. Do not wait for browning, because that will give you a crisp cookie instead of a chewy one.
Step 6: Finish and Cool
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press the remaining M&M’s gently into the tops. Then let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a rack. This short rest helps them firm up without drying out, so they stay soft in the center.
These Soft and Chewy Christmas M&M Cookies are everything a holiday cookie should be: easy, colorful, soft, and full of cheer. Because the dough comes together quickly and the bake time is short, they are great for busy days. Also, the cookies hold their texture well, which makes them a smart make-ahead option for parties and gifting. Try this recipe soon, and if you do, share your results or explore more festive cookie ideas for your holiday baking list.
Print
Soft and Chewy Christmas M&M Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with colorful Christmas M&Ms, perfect for holiday baking and gift-giving.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups Christmas (red and green) M&Ms, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and creamy.
- Mix in the flour, salt, and baking soda on low speed just until combined, then gently fold in half of the M&Ms.
- Roll the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, until pale and not glossy on top, avoiding browning for a chewy texture.
- Press the remaining M&Ms into the tops of the cookies immediately after baking, then let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
For best results, ensure your butter is at room temperature. These cookies freeze well and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 186
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg