These M&M cookies are made with a soft brown sugar cookie dough and plenty of chocolate candy pieces. The perfect make-ahead dessert or snack that can easily be customized to suit your occasion!
When I’m in the mood to bake, I whip up some family favorite cookies such as monster cookies, s’mores cookies, or these simple yet totally satisfying M&M cookies.
Sometimes you just need a good cookie in your life! While many people turn to chocolate chip cookies as their favorite, I actually prefer M&M cookies. The combination of soft brown sugar cookie with milk chocolate just can’t be beat.
How do you make M&M cookies?
M&M cookies are quite easy to make. Start with a brown sugar dough by beating together brown sugar and butter until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add some eggs and vanilla to the butter mixture, and the wet ingredients for the dough are complete. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix them together until they form a dough. Fold in some M&Ms and the dough is ready.
Make little balls out of the dough and feel free to put some M&Ms in the top of the dough balls. Bake up the dough into golden brown cookies. Once they cool a little on a rack and firm up, they are ready to serve and enjoy!
Tips for M&M cookies
- Scoop your cookie dough with a measuring spoon or cookie dough scoop to make sure you end up with cookies that are all the same size.
- These cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- You can use regular M&Ms or other varieties such as peanut, pretzel, dark chocolate or minis.
- Feel free to swap out half the M&Ms for chocolate chips, toffee bits or chopped nuts.
- After the cookies bake, let the cookies firm up for 3-5 minutes on a sheet pan before you transfer them to a cooling rack.
- I like to use a nonstick baking mat to cover my sheet pan so that my cookies don’t stick, but parchment paper will also work.
How long does homemade cookie dough last?
Homemade cookie dough has eggs in it, so you want to use it within 3 days of putting it in the refrigerator. The dough will firm up in the refrigerator, so you may need to let it soften at room temperature for a few minutes before you roll it into balls.
Can you freeze cookie dough?
This cookie dough freezes well. You can make the dough and freeze it in any airtight container. The dough stays good for 3 months. To bake the dough, thaw it in the refrigerator and then bake according to the directions in this recipe.
For individual treats, scoop balls of dough and freeze them for an hour on an uncovered sheet pan. Then take the frozen balls and store them in an airtight container in a freezer. This allows you to make as few or as many cookies as you want at any time.
Holiday Cookies
The great part about these cookies is that you can use seasonal M&M colors to make your cookies appropriate for any holiday. I love to make these cookies around Christmas time with red and green candies, and I make them for Easter with pastel M&M’s.
These M&M cookies take chocolate chip cookies to the next level with a delicious and crunchy M&Ms and a dough that bakes up soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Take these cookies to parties, picnics or potlucks, or just make some for a snack.
More dessert recipes you’ll enjoy
M&M Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups M&M's plus more for the tops of the cookies
Instructions
- Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat until thoroughly mixed.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add half the dry mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed.
- Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Fold in 2 cups of M&M's.
- Scoop out 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Place the cookies 2 inches apart on two sheet pans lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Press extra M&M's into the tops of the cookies. Freeze for 10-15 minutes or until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake one sheet of cookies at a time for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
- Let the cookies rest for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Serve when cooled, or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Irina says
Made these cookies tonight! I just love the dough made with brown sugar that brings an additional caramel flavor. I am saving this recipe to make cookies with my nieces. Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
This is my go-to cookie when I need happy kids! Absolute perfection. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Jamie says
I know my nieces and nephew would love these cookies! Great recipe!
Anita says
What a colorful treat! Great for the kiddos and the adults want them too. 😀
Ashley @ Sweetpea Lifestyle says
Sara! These look like the most perfect cookie, ever!!! Such a fun way to use festive m&ms, too!
Alison says
These came out beautifully round and chewy! The kids loved them!
Sara says
These are great – such a classic cookie and this recipe turned out so good.
Katie says
M&M cookies are one of my all time favorites. These are amazing!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
We are big cookie fans in this house and my kids are always asking for after school snacks. I might have to make up a batch of these for after school, they will surely go down a treat – they look so colourful and delicious.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I was looking for a recipe like this, thank you for sharing!