Soft M&M Cookies are thick, chewy, and packed with colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces. These bakery-style cookies have a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture with slightly crisp edges and a soft center. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a party, or just craving something sweet, these cookies are always a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and chewy texture – Perfectly thick with a gooey center.
- Colorful and fun – A favorite for kids and adults alike.
- Easy to make – Simple ingredients and no chilling required.
- Customizable – Use seasonal M&Ms for different occasions.
- Great for sharing – Perfect for bake sales, parties, or gifting.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Cornstarch (for extra softness)
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- M&M candies
- Chocolate chips (optional, for extra chocolatey goodness)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven – Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugars – In another bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg & Vanilla – Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients – Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in M&Ms – Gently stir in the M&M candies and optional chocolate chips.
- Scoop & Bake – Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them apart. Press a few extra M&Ms on top. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are set but centers are slightly soft.
- Cool & Enjoy – Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 18-24 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Peanut Butter M&M Cookies – Add ½ cup peanut butter to the dough.
- Double Chocolate M&M Cookies – Replace ¼ cup of flour with cocoa powder.
- Holiday-Themed – Use red and green M&Ms for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or orange and brown for Halloween.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Extra Crunchy – Bake an extra 2 minutes for crispier edges.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing Dough: Scoop dough into balls and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake straight from the freezer, adding 1-2 extra minutes.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
FAQs
Why are my cookies not soft?
Overbaking can make them hard. Remove from the oven when they look slightly underbaked.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter gives the best flavor and texture, but margarine can be used in a pinch.
Can I use mini M&Ms?
Yes! Mini M&Ms distribute more evenly throughout the dough.
Do I need to chill the dough?
No chilling is required, but chilling for 30 minutes can enhance the flavor.
Can I use self-rising flour?
No, self-rising flour contains baking powder, which may affect the texture.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Too-soft butter or too little flour can cause spreading. Make sure to measure ingredients correctly.
Can I make giant bakery-style cookies?
Yes! Use ¼ cup of dough per cookie and bake for 12-14 minutes.
How do I make my cookies chewier?
Use more brown sugar than granulated sugar for extra chewiness.
Can I add nuts?
Yes! Chopped pecans or walnuts add a great crunch.
Can I use different candies?
Absolutely! Try Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chunks, or sprinkles.
Conclusion
Soft M&M Cookies are an easy, fun, and delicious treat that everyone will love. With a buttery dough, colorful candy pieces, and a soft, chewy center, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. Try different variations and enjoy a batch of homemade goodness!
PrintSoft M&M Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (+ 30 min chilling)
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: ~50 minutes
- Yield: 18–20 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft-baked cookies are loaded with M&M candies and have the perfect chewy texture. They’re easy to make and perfect for holidays, parties, or an everyday treat!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (for extra softness)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup M&M candies
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy (about 2 minutes).
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
3. Add M&Ms & Chill
- Gently fold in M&Ms (and chocolate chips, if using).
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes (for thicker cookies).
4. Bake the Cookies
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Press a few extra M&Ms on top of each dough ball.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers look slightly underbaked.
5. Cool & Enjoy
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- For extra chewiness, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- To make larger bakery-style cookies, use ¼ cup of dough per cookie and bake for 12–14 minutes.
- Freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months for quick baking anytime!
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