The Best Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies

Indulge in the delightful combination of crispy candy shells and soft, chewy cookie interiors with these M&M cookies. Perfect for any occasion, these colorful treats are sure to bring joy to both kids and adults alike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and Chewy Texture: Achieve bakery-style cookies with slightly crisp edges and irresistibly soft centers.​
• Vibrant and Fun: The colorful M&M candies add a festive touch, making these cookies perfect for holidays, parties, or simply brightening your day.​
• Easy to Make: With straightforward ingredients and simple steps, this recipe is accessible for bakers of all levels.​

Ingredients

this Recipe

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• All-purpose flour​Eater+3The Vanilla Bean Blog+3Sally’s Baking Addiction+3
• Baking soda​I Heart Naptime+13The Vanilla Bean Blog+13Sally’s Baking Addiction+13
• Salt​Cozy Peach Kitchen+2Log in or sign up to view+2Julie Blanner+2
• Unsalted butter, softened​The Flexible Chef+1Sally’s Baking Addiction+1
• Granulated sugar​Tastes Better From Scratch+1Sarahs Bake Studio+1
• Brown sugar​Julie Blanner+12The Spruce Eats+12The Vanilla Bean Blog+12
• Large eggs​Celebrating Sweets+5The Vanilla Bean Blog+5The Spruce Eats+5
• Vanilla extract​
• M&M candies​The Vanilla Bean Blog+2Handle the Heat+2Chasety+2

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.​Sally’s Baking Addiction+1The Flexible Chef+1
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.​
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.​
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.​
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a tender texture.​Pinch of Yum+2Sally’s Baking Addiction+2My Messy Kitchen+2
6. Incorporate M&M Candies: Gently fold in the M&M candies, reserving a handful to press into the tops of the cookies before baking for a more festive appearance.​
7. Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.​
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.​
9. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.​

Servings and Timing

• Servings: This recipe yields approximately 24 cookies.​
• Preparation Time: About 15 minutes.​Deliciously Sprinkled+5Sarahs Bake Studio+5Handle the Heat+5
• Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes per batch.​
• Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes.​

Variations

• Chocolate Lovers: Add 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips along with the M&M candies for an extra chocolaty treat.​
• Peanut Butter Twist: Replace regular M&M candies with peanut M&Ms or add ½ cup of peanut butter to the dough for a nutty flavor.​
• Holiday-Themed Cookies: Use seasonal M&M colors to match holidays or special occasions, such as red and green for Christmas or pastel shades for Easter.​

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To maintain softness, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies; the bread helps retain moisture. ​Chasety
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months.​
• Reheating: Enjoy cookies at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a freshly baked experience.​Deliciously Sprinkled

FAQs

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking can help prevent excessive spreading and result in thicker, chewier cookies. ​I Heart Naptime

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but consider reducing the added salt in the recipe by half to balance the flavors.​Gonna Need A Bigger Kitchen+11Pinch of Yum+11Log in or sign up to view+11

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 2-3 days. Allow it to come to room temperature before baking for best results. ​Kroll’s Korner

Why did my M&M candies crack during baking?

The candy shells can crack due to the heat of the oven. To minimize this, press additional M&Ms onto the cookies immediately after baking rather than before. ​I Heart Naptime+6Deliciously Sprinkled+6Sarahs Bake Studio+6

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes, scoop the dough into individual balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding an extra minute to the baking time. ​Kroll’s Korner

How can I make my cookies chewier?

Using more brown sugar than granulated sugar and ensuring not to overbake the cookies will result in a chewier texture. ​

Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Certainly! Fold in ½ cup of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pec

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