Hey there, cookie lovers!
Can you believe it’s that time of year again? Christmas is just around the corner, and you know what that means—lots and lots of cookies!
Today, I’m excited to share a festive treat: Christmas cookies with M&Ms.
These colorful, chewy bites are not just fun to make, but they’re also a hit with everyone.
Perfect for holiday parties or simply munching while you binge on those holiday movies.
Let’s dive into the sweetness and get baking!
| Preparation Time | 120-1440 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 9-11 minutes |
| Total Time | 129-1451 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the wet ingredients:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed well)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (I use McCormick pure vanilla extract)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsalted butter
For the dry ingredients:
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I use King Arthur all-purpose flour)
For the mix-ins:
- 2 cups red and green chocolate candies (like M&M’s)
Step 1: Prepare the Wet Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened unsalted butter, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar until the mixture becomes creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
Beat in 2 large eggs, ensuring the mixture is uniform and being careful not to overbeat.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Stir in 1/3 cup of whole rolled oats until evenly distributed.
Step 3: Add the M&M’s
Fold in 2 cups of red and green M&M’s, reserving about 1/3 to 1/4 cup to place on top of the cookies before baking.
Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours (up to 24 hours) to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
Step 4: Form and Bake the Cookies
After chilling, scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and place them a few inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Gently flatten each ball slightly and press a few reserved M&M’s on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For any remaining dough, roll it into balls and freeze for 1 to 2 hours before transferring to a freezer bag for storage.
The frozen dough can be baked directly from the freezer at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 14 minutes.
