Get into the spirit (without a big production) with these Christmas M&M Cookies. These soft, chewy delights start with a classic all-butter cookie base. Packed with colorful Christmas M&Ms, these cookies are fun and festive. Perfect for sharing with Santa or as a holiday gift, they are sure to be a hit.

Remember to chill the dough for an hour for the best results.

Christmas M&M Cookies

A classic all-butter cookie with plenty of M&Ms. This recipe makes plenty for sharing with Santa. Soft, chewy, and buttery cookie base that will become your favorite.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 12

Chilling time 1

Serving Size cookies

Ingredients

¾ butter softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 cups Christmas M&Ms divided

Instructions

Beat sugar + wet ingredients. Beat the butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary.
Dry ingredients. Combine the flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate mixing bowl and add to the butter mixture, mixing on low, one cup at a time.
Add candies. Stir 1½ cups of the M&Ms in by hand.
Cover and chill the dough for one hour. Towards the end of the chilling time, preheat the oven to 350 with the rack in the center. Prepare 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or cooking spray.
Shape. Drop the dough by tablespoon-sized balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheets. Space them 2 inches apart, as the cookies will spread. Press 3 additional M&Ms on top of the dough balls.
Bake. Bake at 350° for 11-13 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Notes

You don’t have to press M&Ms on top, but it makes the cookies look much nicer. Choose one of each color for the most festive look.

what you’ll need

Just the basics plus your favorite red and green candies 😊.

Christmas M&Ms: The star of the show, these colorful candies add a festive touch and a delightful crunch.
All-Butter Base: For that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture, a good quality butter is essential.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla brings warmth and depth to the cookie’s flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the foundation of the cookie, giving it structure and softness.

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Mixing Bowls: For preparing the dough.
Electric Mixer: Eases the process of creaming butter and sugar.
Baking Sheet: Essential for baking the cookies evenly.
Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
Wire Rack: For cooling the cookies to maintain their texture.

Tips for the best drop cookies

Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the dough for at least an hour is crucial. It helps in preventing the cookies from spreading too much and retains a soft, chewy texture.
Nice ingredients. The taste of your cookies can improve a lot if you use good butter and real vanilla.
Cream well. To avoid lumps, make sure to cream the butter and sugar well and mix the dry ingredients evenly.
Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the oven! Over-baking can lead to hard cookies. They should be golden around the edges.
Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set without breaking.

Storage and make ahead instructions

These freeze great!

Make-Ahead: Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking.
Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake straight from the freezer, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.
Defrosting: Thaw frozen baked cookies at room temperature for about an hour.

More Christmas cookies

Make Santa happy this year.

Enjoy the delicious blend of hearty and sweet in Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies. They combine juicy cranberries with wholesome oats for a perfect bite.
You’ll love the nostalgic taste of homemade Old Fashioned Drop Sugar Cookies. These soft, buttery cookies are a simple, sugary delight.
Try Chewy Molasses Cookies for a satisfying treat. The bold, sweet flavor of molasses is a holiday classic
And find all my favorite Old Fashioned Christmas Cookies here

Simple, easy, and cute, I hope you enjoy this recipe.

Soft and Chewy Christmas M&M Cookies