By Becky Hardin
Published Oct 25, 2019
If you are looking for an amazing cookie recipe for the holidays you are in the right place! This is the best M&M cookies recipe! Easy and straightforward to make, pretty to look at and a joy to eat! These giant cookies take less than 30 minutes to make.
Holiday season means cookie exchanges and sweet treats and these cookies are so festive! This is such a great recipe, even if I do say so myself!
How to Make The Best M&M Cookies Recipe
- Heat oven to 350°F and adjust baking rack to middle position. Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, add granulated sugar and brown sugar. Turn mixer to low and mix just to combine.
- Add shortening and softened butter, turn mixer to medium and beat 3 minutes or until lighter in color and smooth.
- Add vanilla and beat on medium 30 seconds.
- Add eggs one-at-a-time, mixing just until incorporated after each addition. Turn off the mixer.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and coarse salt and kosher salt.
- Add flour mixture to the sugar/butter mixture and turn mixer to low speed. Mix just until flour mixture is incorporated.
- Fold in 1¾ cup M&M candies.
- If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
- Drop the dough, using a 2” scoop (about 1½ tablespoons), onto the baking sheets about 2-inches apart (12 cookies to a baking sheet).
- Press 3-4 additional candies into each cookie.
- Bake cookies at 350°F for 9 minutes or just until the edges of the cookies start to set and are a little firmer to the touch.
- Place baking sheets with cookies on a cooling rack for 2 minutes, then transfer cookies directly to the cooling rack.
- Enjoy the best M&M Cookies!
How do you know when the cookies are done baking?
These cookies don’t take long to bake, just 9 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.
Why this is the best M&M cookie recipe
- This recipe makes a batch of 30 cookies, so it’s a great recipe for a cookie exchange – lots to go around!
- Brown sugar is used in the cookies for a richer and deeper flavor.
- The dough doesn’t need to be rested if you are short on time.
- They are ready in less than 30 minutes.
The Best M&M cookies are perfect for all of your holiday needs!
If you are like me, during the festive period there are always cookies out for people! I like to have at least a couple of batches on the go at all times! Once these coolies have cooled to room temperature, store them in an airtight container and the will be good for about 3 days. You can also freeze the cookies and then thaw them at room temperature.
If you want a more chocolatey version of this, try these M&M Brownie Cookies .
Top Tips to Make The Best M&M Cookies Recipe
- If coarse sea salt isn’t available, use 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
- If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
- Let the cookies cool slightly before moving them to the cooling rack.
Be sure to check out these other holiday cookie recipes!
- Christmas M&M Cookies
- Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe with Powdered Sugar Icing
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Movie Night Cookies (Popcorn, Reese’s, Junior Mints, & more)
- Best Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Chocolate Mint Cookies (Creme de Menthe Thumbprint Cookies Recipe)
- Saltine Cracker Toffee with Chocolate (Chocolate Saltine Toffee Cookies)
- Easy Christmas Cookies to Make this Year (Best Holiday Cookies)
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
- ▢ 1 cup dark brown sugar 213 grams
- ▢ ⅔ cup vegetable shortening 123 grams (⅔ stick)
- ▢ ⅔ cup unsalted butter 151 grams, room temperature (1⅓ stick)
- ▢ 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
- ▢ 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
- ▢ 2¾ cup all-purpose flour 330 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
- ▢ ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt (SEE NOTE)
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ 2½ cups M&M’s candies 425 grams, divided
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and adjust baking rack to middle position. Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the granulated sugar and brown sugar together on low until just combined. 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup dark brown sugar
- Add the shortening and butter, turn mixer to medium speed, and beat until lighter in color and smooth, about 3 minutes. ⅔ cup vegetable shortening, ⅔ cup unsalted butter
- Add the vanilla and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated after each addition. Turn off the mixer. 2 large eggs
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, coarse salt, and kosher salt together. 2¾ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the flour mixture to the sugar/butter mixture and turn the mixer to low speed. Mix just until flour mixture is incorporated.
- Fold in 1¾ cup M&M candies. 2½ cups M&M’s candies
- If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
- Drop the dough, using a 2-inch cookie scoop (about 1½ tablespoons), onto the baking sheets about 2 inches apart (12 cookies to a baking sheet).
- Press 3-4 additional candies into each cookie.
- Bake cookies at 350°F for 9 minutes, or just until the edges of the cookies start to set and are a little firmer to the touch.
- Place baking sheets with cookies on a cooling rack for 2 minutes, then transfer cookies directly to the cooling rack.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale
- 2-3 Baking Sheet
- Stand Mixer
- Cookie Portion Scoop
Becky’s Tips
- NOTE: If coarse sea salt isn’t available, use 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
- If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
- Let the cookies cool slightly before moving them to the cooling rack.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
M&M Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale
- 2-3 Baking Sheet
- Stand Mixer
- Cookie Portion Scoop
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
- 1 cup dark brown sugar 213 grams
- ⅔ cup vegetable shortening 123 grams (⅔ stick)
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter 151 grams, room temperature (1⅓ stick)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
- 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
- 2¾ cup all-purpose flour 330 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt (SEE NOTE)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2½ cups M&M’s candies 425 grams, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and adjust baking rack to middle position. Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the granulated sugar and brown sugar together on low until just combined. 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup dark brown sugar
- Add the shortening and butter, turn mixer to medium speed, and beat until lighter in color and smooth, about 3 minutes. ⅔ cup vegetable shortening, ⅔ cup unsalted butter
- Add the vanilla and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated after each addition. Turn off the mixer. 2 large eggs
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, coarse salt, and kosher salt together. 2¾ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the flour mixture to the sugar/butter mixture and turn the mixer to low speed. Mix just until flour mixture is incorporated.
- Fold in 1¾ cup M&M candies. 2½ cups M&M’s candies
- If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
- Drop the dough, using a 2-inch cookie scoop (about 1½ tablespoons), onto the baking sheets about 2 inches apart (12 cookies to a baking sheet).
- Press 3-4 additional candies into each cookie.
- Bake cookies at 350°F for 9 minutes, or just until the edges of the cookies start to set and are a little firmer to the touch.
- Place baking sheets with cookies on a cooling rack for 2 minutes, then transfer cookies directly to the cooling rack.
Video
Notes
- NOTE: If coarse sea salt isn’t available, use 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
- If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
- Let the cookies cool slightly before moving them to the cooling rack.
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
