There's nothing quite like the magic of Christmas M&M Cookies to bring joy to the holiday season. These chewy, buttery cookies studded with festive red and green M&M's are a must-have for cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or a cozy night by the fire.

I first made these cookies with my kids during a snowstorm, and we couldn’t stop sneaking bites straight from the cooling rack. Now, they’ve become a cherished holiday tradition, showing up every year alongside mugs of hot cocoa and our favorite Christmas movies.

Get ready to bake the perfect holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!

Why You'll Love These Christmas M&M Cookies

These Christmas M&M Cookies are guaranteed to become a holiday staple in your home. Here’s why they’re so irresistible:

First, they’re incredibly easy to make. With simple pantry staples and no chilling time, you can whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes – perfect for last-minute holiday baking.

They’re also wonderfully chewy and soft. Thanks to the perfect blend of butter and sugars, these cookies bake up golden on the edges with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center.

The festive pops of red and green M&M's make them ideal for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or gifting. They add just the right amount of chocolatey crunch to complement the buttery cookie base.

Lastly, these cookies are a hit with both kids and adults alike. They’re colorful, fun, and nostalgic – the ultimate holiday crowd-pleaser.

Ready to make your new favorite Christmas cookie? Let’s gather those ingredients!

Ingredients Notes

You’ll love how simple yet effective these Christmas M&M Cookies are, using common ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for these cookies. Be sure to measure it correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife to avoid a dense dough.
Unsalted Butter: I recommend room temperature butter for the best texture. It creates a tender, buttery cookie without being greasy. If using salted butter, simply reduce the added salt by half.
Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: The combination of these two sugars gives the cookies their perfect chewy centers and slightly crisp edges. Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor.
Eggs: They bind everything together and add richness. Use large eggs for consistent results.
Vanilla Extract: Don’t skip this! It enhances all the other flavors and adds that cozy, homemade taste.
Baking Soda: The key to achieving just the right amount of spread and fluffiness. Make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
Christmas M&M's: The star of the show! These red and green chocolate candies bring a festive flair and delicious chocolatey bites to every cookie. You can also mix in some chocolate chips for extra decadence.

For this recipe, you’ll just need a stand or hand mixer, mixing bowls, a baking sheet, and parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.

How To Make These Christmas M&M Cookies

Making these festive cookies is as simple as mix, scoop, and bake! Here’s how to do it step by step:

Preheat your oven and prepare the baking sheets.
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
Cream the butter and sugars.
In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of unsalted butter (room temperature), ¾ cup brown sugar, and ½ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed. Scraping down the sides ensures everything is well incorporated.
Add the wet ingredients.
Mix in 2 large eggs, one at a time, followed by 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
Combine the dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can toughen the cookies.
Fold in the M&M's.
Gently stir in 1 ½ cups of Christmas M&M's, reserving a small handful to press onto the tops of the cookies before baking. This ensures they look extra festive.
Scoop and bake.
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press a few extra M&M's on top of each ball of dough. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers look set but soft.
Cool and enjoy.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

The result? Perfectly chewy, festive cookies that will disappear before you know it!

Storage Options

These Christmas M&M Cookies store beautifully, so you can enjoy them all week long.

Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to keep them soft and fresh.
Refrigeration: While not necessary, you can refrigerate the cookies for up to 1 week. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
Freezing Baked Cookies: To freeze, place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Freezing Cookie Dough: Scoop the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Once firm, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Here are a few fun ways to make these cookies your own:

Add Chocolate Chips: Mix in ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips along with the M&M's for an extra chocolaty twist.
Use Different M&M Colors: Switch up the M&M's for other holidays! Use pastel colors for Easter or orange and brown for Halloween.
Make them Double Chocolate: Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the flour mixture for a chocolate cookie base. Use Christmas M&M's and white chocolate chips for contrast.
Add Nuts: Fold in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch and nutty flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.

No matter how you mix it up, these cookies are sure to impress!

Christmas M&M Cookies are a simple yet festive treat that brings warmth and cheer to any holiday celebration. Whether you're baking for a party, gifting a batch to neighbors, or just sneaking one with your morning coffee (no judgment here!), these cookies are guaranteed to become a family favorite.

So, preheat your oven and get ready to enjoy the most delightful cookies of the season! Happy baking! 🎄