By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 9, 2023
These homemade M&M Christmas Cookies are filled with festive green and red candies, and chocolate chips for an extra kick. These cookies come out of the oven deliciously soft and pillowy, and they’re so easy to make!
Why We Love This M&M Christmas Cookie Recipe
- Tender. Adding cornstarch to the dough is my secret for soft, thick cookies that don’t spread.
- Festive. Red and green candies make these M&M cookies fun for the holidays.
- Flavorful. Butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract add so much flavor to these cookies.
Variations on Christmas M&M Cookies
You can make these Christmas cookies even more festive by swapping out the chocolate chips for peppermint or Andes mint chocolate chips! You could also fold in some red and green sprinkles to really drive the holiday theme home.
How to Store
Store leftover M&M Christmas cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator.
How to Freeze
Freeze Christmas M&M cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these candy-filled Christmas cookies with a glass of whole or oat milk for Santa Claus! Or enjoy them dipped in a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate . They also make great festive ice cream sandwiches with my favorite red velvet ice cream between them. Yum!
I like to use the Christmas M&M’s when they are available since it saves me from having to sort the colors. But you can really use any of the colors.
Cornstarch helps to make the cookies soft and tender. It also helps the cookies to spread less by thickening up the dough!
Chilling cookie dough before baking helps prevent the dough from spreading in the oven.
These cookies don’t take long to bake, just 12-14 minutes, so keep your eye on them. Bake them just until the edges of the cookies start to set and are a little firmer to the touch. The edges should brown just ever so slightly. The cookies will continue to bake once they are removed from the oven and will harden as they cool.
More Christmas Cookie Recipes To Try
- Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Coconut Macaroons
- Linzer Cookies
- Riscotti Cookies
- Shortbread Cookies
- Molasses Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Browse all Christmas Cookie recipes !
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour 280 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons cornstarch 5 grams
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ¾ cup unsalted butter 170 grams, melted (1½ sticks)
- ▢ ¾ cup light brown sugar 160 grams
- ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- ▢ 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
- ▢ 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
- ▢ ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips 85 grams
- ▢ 10 tablespoons red and green M&M’s 106 grams, divided (½ cup + 2 tablespoons for topping)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt with a whisk. Set aside. 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1½ teaspoons cornstarch, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- In a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. ¾ cup unsalted butter, ¾ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined. 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Add the dry mixture, and mix with a large spoon or rubber spatula until completely combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s. ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips, 10 tablespoons red and green M&M’s
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour to prevent the cookies from spreading.
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a cookie scoop to measure 3 tablespoons of dough. Roll into a smooth ball. Place 6 on each baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
- While the cookies are still warm, press in the remaining M&M’s in (just for looks).
- Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Hand Mixer
- Baking Sheet
- Cookie Portion Scoop
Becky’s Tips
- Take the eggs out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before making the cookie dough. Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the cookie dough.
- Before serving or storing, let the cookies cool completely.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make M&M Christmas Cookies Step by Step
Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine 2⅓ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1½ teaspoons of cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt with a whisk. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat ¾ cup of room temperature unsalted butter, ¾ cup of light brown sugar, and ½ cup of granulated sugar.
Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add 2 large room temperature eggs and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
Make the Dough: Add the dry mixture, and mix with a large spoon or rubber spatula until completely combined.
Chill the Dough: Fold in ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips and ½ cup of red and green M&M’s. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour to prevent the cookies from spreading.
Roll into Balls: Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a cookie scoop to measure 3 tablespoons of dough. Roll into a smooth ball. Place 6 on each baking sheet.
Bake the Cookies: Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. While the cookies are still warm, press in the remaining 2 tablespoons of M&M’s in (just for looks). Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Hand Mixer
- Baking Sheet
- Cookie Portion Scoop
Ingredients
- 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour 280 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
- 1½ teaspoons cornstarch 5 grams
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter 170 grams, melted (1½ sticks)
- ¾ cup light brown sugar 160 grams
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips 85 grams
- 10 tablespoons red and green M&M’s 106 grams, divided (½ cup + 2 tablespoons for topping)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt with a whisk. Set aside. 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1½ teaspoons cornstarch, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- In a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. ¾ cup unsalted butter, ¾ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined. 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Add the dry mixture, and mix with a large spoon or rubber spatula until completely combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s. ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips, 10 tablespoons red and green M&M’s
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour to prevent the cookies from spreading.
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a cookie scoop to measure 3 tablespoons of dough. Roll into a smooth ball. Place 6 on each baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
- While the cookies are still warm, press in the remaining M&M’s in (just for looks).
- Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
Notes
- Take the eggs out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before making the cookie dough. Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the cookie dough.
- Before serving or storing, let the cookies cool completely.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
