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Every holiday season calls for that one legendary cookie recipe everyone raves about. These bakery-style Christmas M and M cookies deliver everything you crave from those big bakery treats—golden edges, soft centers, and a generous helping of festive red and green M and Ms. They always disappear first from my cookie trays and have become the sweet scent that signals Christmas is finally here.
After baking these for a school party years ago, there were none left for my husband by the time he got home. Now I always double the batch to keep everyone happy.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour: creates the sturdy but tender structure for thick cookies look for unbleached for best flavor
- Salt: balances sweetness and boosts flavors choose a fine sea salt if you have it
- Baking soda and baking powder: create ideal lift and rise make sure both are fresh for best results
- Cornstarch: makes cookies extra soft and puffy this is my secret ingredient for that melt-in-your-mouth feel
- Brown sugar: adds moisture and a deep caramel note use dark brown for more richness
- Cold butter: brings classic chew and rich flavor make sure it is straight from the fridge and cut into cubes
- White sugar: gives the cookies perfect sweetness and helps them spread just the right amount
- Vanilla extract: pulls all the flavors together use pure vanilla for best aroma
- Egg yolks plus one whole egg: make cookies extra rich and help bind the dough farm fresh eggs will add even more flavor
- Christmas M and Ms: add that signature crunch and festive pop stick with classic milk chocolate varieties for authentic taste toss in a little flour so the candies do not sink during baking
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients:
- Whisk flour salt baking soda baking powder and cornstarch in a large bowl until very well combined to distribute the leaveners thoroughly
- Cream Butter and Sugars:
- Combine cold cubed butter brown sugar and white sugar in a stand mixer and mix just until the butter blends in mostly but still a bit visible You want the butter to remain cold for extra thick cookies
- Mix in Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in eggs egg yolks and vanilla until smooth Do not overmix which could warm the butter
- Combine Wet and Dry:
- Add half the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix in completely before adding the rest Mix just until you no longer see flour pockets
- Prep M and Ms:
- Toss M and Ms with a little flour so they stay suspended in the dough and do not sink while baking
- Fold in M and Ms:
- Gently fold the M and Ms into the dough with a spatula so you do not break the candies or warm the dough
- Portion Dough:
- Scoop about six tablespoons of dough per cookie onto a parchment lined sheet Leave plenty of room for spreading Space out to four or five cookies per pan for best results
- Chill and Bake:
- Chill dough balls for at least three hours or overnight for thickest cookies Bake at three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit for seventeen minutes or until set at the edges and slightly pale centers
- Finish and Cool:
- Press some extra M and Ms onto tops as soon as they come from the oven Let cookies cool on the sheet for five minutes to finish setting Then move to a rack to cool completely
Baking these cookies with my kids is my favorite December tradition We play Christmas music sneak extra M and Ms and always save a few cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve The sight of those red and green candies in the dough always makes me feel like a little kid again
Storage Tips
These cookies store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for about four to five days For longer storage keep in the freezer either raw dough balls or baked cookies and thaw as needed
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use mini M and Ms or your favorite chocolate chips if you cannot find holiday colors For an extra decadent batch fold in half a cup of chopped dark chocolate or white chocolate chunks
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with mugs of hot cocoa for instant holiday magic Package a few in clear treat bags tied with a bow for charming homemade gifts These cookies make a dazzling addition to any Christmas cookie exchange platter
Cultural and Historical Context
While classic chocolate chip cookies have been part of holiday tables for generations the addition of M and Ms adds a playful candy twist Families have been customizing their cookies with colorful candies since the nineteen eighties turning a simple treat into a symbol of seasonal cheer
Seasonal Adaptations
Use pastel M and Ms for springtime Swap in orange and brown for autumn gatherings Try heart shaped candies for Valentine celebrations
Success Stories
Friends who never bake call me each December asking for this M and M cookie recipe again I even had a neighbor text me a photo of her kids enjoying these cookies by their tree saying these are now their Christmas must have
Freezer Meal Conversion
Form dough balls and freeze on a lined sheet once firm transfer to bags Bake straight from freezer at three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit with one or two extra minutes added to bake time This makes holiday baking a breeze
Surprise a friend with a box of these cookies for a guaranteed smile. Every bite brings that perfect holiday bakery moment to your kitchen.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I keep the cookies soft and thick?
Use cold, cubed butter and chill your dough before baking. This helps maintain a thick, soft texture like bakery cookies.
- → Do I have to toss M&Ms in flour?
Tossing the M&Ms in flour keeps them from sinking and distributes them more evenly throughout the dough.
- → Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, portion dough into balls and freeze up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.
- → How do I get picture-perfect cookies?
Press a few extra M&Ms onto each dough ball just before baking for a festive appearance and extra bursts of chocolate.
- → Are there flavor variations?
For richness, add ½ cup of chopped dark chocolate or swap M&Ms for other seasonal candies according to your preference.