Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies Recipe: A Delicious Treat for All Ages

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Learn how to make the best soft and chewy M&M cookies with this easy recipe. No need to chill the dough, just mix and bake for a delicious treat that’s perfect for any occasion.

These cookies are loaded with colorful M&M’s and chocolate chips, making every bite enjoyable and bursting with flavor. You can customize them with different colored candies to match holidays or celebrations, adding a fun twist to the classic cookie.

Follow the simple steps to ensure perfect results every time, from mixing the ingredients to baking the cookies just right.

Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)

Here’s what you’ll need to make soft and chewy M&M cookies:

Ingredients:

• Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), unsalted and softened to room temperature.
  • Substitute: Margarine or shortening (but this may slightly change the texture and taste).
• Brown Sugar: 3/4 cup, packed.
  • Substitute: Coconut sugar for a different flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup.
  • Substitute: White sugar can be replaced with raw cane sugar.
• Eggs: 2 large eggs.
  • Substitute: For an egg-free version, use 1/4 cup applesauce or 1/4 cup mashed banana per egg.
• Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons.
  • Substitute: Almond extract for a unique twist.
• All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/4 cups.
  • Substitute: Gluten-free all-purpose flour if needed.
• Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon.
  • Substitute: Baking powder (use 1 1/2 teaspoons and reduce salt).
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon.
  • Substitutes: Sea salt or omit if using salted butter.
• M&M’s: 1 1/2 cups.
  • Substitute: Any small colorful candy-coated chocolates or chocolate chips.

Tips:

Use parchment paper on your baking sheets to prevent sticking.

If you prefer, you can mix in half M&M’s and half chocolate chips for a varied texture and taste.

Try adding a teaspoon of cornstarch to the flour mix for extra softness.

Instructions

1. 
   

   Preheat your oven
   Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

   
   

2. Mix dry ingredients
   In a bowl, whisk together:

   • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
   • 1 teaspoon baking powder
   • 1 teaspoon baking soda
   • 1/2 teaspoon salt

3. Cream butter and sugars
   Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat together:

   • 1 cup softened butter
   • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
   • 3/4 cup brown sugar
     Mix until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4. 
   

   Add eggs and vanilla
   Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time. Then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

   
   
5. 
   

   Combine wet and dry ingredients
   Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.

   
   
6. 
   

   Fold in M&Ms
   Stir in 1 1/2 cups of M&Ms.

   
   
7. 
   

   Shape the dough
   Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form dough into 2-tablespoon-sized mounds. Place them on the lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

   
   
8. 
   

   Bake the cookies
   Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned, but the centers are still soft.

   
   
9. 
   

   Add extra M&Ms
   While cookies are still hot, press 3-4 additional M&Ms onto the top of each cookie for extra flavor and a nice look.

   
   
10. 
    

    Cool the cookies
    Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 3 minutes. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

    
    

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For perfect cookies, use room temperature butter. It creams better with sugar, giving you a fluffy texture.

Always pre-chill your dough for at least 30 minutes. This helps the cookies keep their shape and stay chewy.

Spread cookies uniformly on the baking sheet. This ensures even baking.

Extra tip: Use an ice cream scoop to portion your dough. This helps in getting evenly-sized cookies.

Baking time: Keep an eye after 8 minutes. Cookies should be just starting to turn golden; they will continue cooking after being taken out.

Storage: Once baked, let your cookies cool completely before storing. Keep them in an airtight container to maintain their chewiness.

Extra trick: Place a piece of bread in your cookie container. This keeps cookies soft longer by absorbing excess moisture.

Freeze your dough in balls, individually. This allows you to bake fresh cookies anytime by popping them straight into the oven.

Recipe Variations & Serving Suggestions

Recipe Variations

1. 
   

   Mix-ins: You can mix in white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or chopped nuts to add more flavor. Try adding raisins or dried cranberries for a fruity twist.

   
   
2. 
   

   Flavored M&Ms: Swap out regular M&Ms for peanut, pretzel, or caramel M&Ms. Each type brings a unique texture and flavor to your cookies.

   
   
3. 
   

   Dough Chilling: Chill the cookie dough for different lengths of time. Chilling for 2 hours gives you thicker, chewier cookies. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step, but the texture will be slightly different.

   
   
4. 
   

   Size Variations: Make mini cookies using a teaspoon or go for giant cookies with a ¼ cup dough ball. Adjust the baking time accordingly—smaller cookies will need less time, while larger cookies will need more.

   
   

Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy your cookies warm with a glass of cold milk. They are perfect for dunking!
• Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.
• These cookies are great gifts. Package them in a decorative tin or jar and add a ribbon for a personal touch.
• For a fun party treat, create an M&M cookie sandwich by placing a scoop of ice cream between two cookies.
• Crumble leftover cookies over yogurt or pudding for a tasty topping.