When the holidays roll around, nothing beats the joy of baking a batch of festive treats that bring everyone together. This Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe is one of my all-time favorites for that exact reason. The colorful red and green M&Ms add such a cheerful pop to these soft, buttery cookies, making them perfect for cookie exchanges, school parties, or just cozy nights in with loved ones.

I love how easy this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe comes together, with simple ingredients you probably already have—and how incredibly satisfying it is to see those M&Ms peek through freshly baked cookies, still glossy and perfect. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll wonder why you didn’t bake them every year before!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe plays a role, from tenderizing the dough to providing that perfect chew. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need, along with my favorite brands and tips to get the best results.

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is key here for a smooth dough. I always let mine sit out at room temp for about 30 minutes to get that perfect consistency.
Granulated Sugar: Adds crispness to the cookie edges and balances the sweetness.
Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar brings moisture and a lovely caramel undertone—don’t skip it!
Large Egg: Room temperature eggs blend better for more even texture.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Real vanilla really lifts the flavor beyond basic sugar cookies.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough that gives the cookie its structure.
Baking Soda: Helps with proper rise and spreading.
Baking Powder: Adds just the right bit of leavening so your cookies aren’t too dense.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Red and Green M&Ms: The stars of the show! Use 1 cup mixed in for flavor bursts and save ½ cup to press on the tops for that festive look.

Variations

This Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe is super versatile. I love making tweaks depending on who I’m baking for or what I have in the pantry, and you can absolutely do the same to suit your taste.

Peanut Butter M&M Cookies: Add ½ cup peanut butter to the dough for an extra layer of richness. I tried this last Christmas, and the peanut butter paired beautifully with the chocolate.
Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Just make sure it has xanthan gum for texture, so your cookies don’t crumble.
White Chocolate M&Ms: If you want a twist, try white chocolate M&Ms instead—they add a nice creamy sweetness that’s a bit different.
Double Chocolate: Mix in cocoa powder for a chocolate dough, and use M&Ms for color contrast. It’s a hit with my chocolate lovers!

How to Make Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by beating the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. This step is crucial because it creates the perfect texture for soft, chewy cookies. Don’t rush it; if your butter is too cold, it won’t cream well, so be patient!

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until everything’s combined. Be sure your egg is at room temperature—it helps the dough blend smoothly without curdling. If you forget to take it out early, a quick 20 seconds in warm water does the trick.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then, slowly add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed. This prevents flour clouds in your kitchen and ensures even distribution.

Step 4: Stir in Most of the M&Ms

Fold in 1 cup of the red and green M&Ms gently with a spatula. This will scatter them throughout your dough, offering little sweet pockets in each bite. I like folding by hand so I can control how many candies remain whole.

Step 5: Scoop and Decorate

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet. Before popping them in the oven, press a few extra M&Ms on top of each cookie to get that classic Christmas look. It’s such a simple trick but makes the cookies look bakery-level special.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes, watching for golden edges and slightly soft centers. Remember, cookies keep cooking a bit after removed from the oven, so it’s better to take them out just before they look “done.” Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

How to Serve Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe

The image shows baking ingredients neatly arranged on a white marbled surface. At the top left is a large block of pale yellow butter with smooth edges. Below it and slightly to the right is a single brown egg with a smooth shell. Around them are several white bowls containing different ingredients: white granulated sugar in a medium bowl, coarse white salt in a small bowl, fine white sugar in a medium bowl, brown sugar in a medium bowl with a slightly grainy texture, and white flour in a medium bowl with a powdery texture. At the bottom left is a white bowl filled with red and green M&M candies, with a shiny, smooth surface and the letter

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with these cookies because the M&Ms are such a fun garnish themselves. But if you want to add a little flair, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can make them look extra festive for holiday parties.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream—my go-to pairing every single Christmas. They also hold up well on a cookie platter alongside gingerbread or peppermint bark for a festive dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday season, I baked these cookies and stacked them in a clear glass jar tied with a red ribbon to gift to neighbors. They loved the presentation! You can also arrange them in a festive tin or on a decorative plate lined with holiday napkins—it instantly makes your kitchen feel merry and bright.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually last about 4-5 days perfectly soft and chewy, but honestly, they rarely make it that long in my house!

Freezing

Got a big batch and want to save some? I freeze the cookie dough scooped into balls on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When I want fresh cookies, I just bake them right from frozen—I’ve found this method preserves their texture beautifully.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or place them in a warm oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes. This revives the melty M&Ms and soft texture, almost like they just came out of the oven again.

FAQs

Can I use other candies instead of M&Ms for this Christmas cookie recipe?

Absolutely! While M&Ms are traditional here, you can swap in mini chocolate chips, holiday-colored candy melts, or even crushed peppermint candies for a different texture and flavor. Just remember to adjust bake time slightly if your candies melt differently.
What’s the best way to keep my Christmas M&M cookies chewy?

Use a combination of brown and granulated sugars as this recipe suggests, and avoid overbaking. Pull the cookies out of the oven when edges are set but centers look a bit soft—they’ll continue cooking as they cool and stay chewy.
How do I prevent my M&Ms from bleeding color into the cookie dough?

Be gentle when folding in the M&Ms; mixing them too vigorously can crack the candies and cause color to bleed. Also, pressing extra M&Ms on top after scooping helps keep them intact and vibrant.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe has been a staple in my holiday baking for years because it’s just that comforting and crowd-pleasing. I hope you’ll give it a try, whether it’s for family gatherings or a solo afternoon treat with a mug of cocoa. Making these cookies has a way of wrapping you in holiday spirit with every bite—and who doesn’t want a little more magic in the kitchen during the season?

Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe