There's something magical about baking Christmas M&M Cookies during the holiday season. The buttery aroma fills the house, festive red and green M&Ms peek through the golden cookies, and the soft, chewy texture makes them irresistible to kids and adults alike.

I remember making these cookies for the first time on Christmas Eve with my family, and it’s been a tradition ever since. They're easy to whip up, perfect for last-minute baking, and always disappear faster than you can say "Merry Christmas!"
Let’s dive into why these cookies will be your new favorite holiday treat!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas M&M Cookies
Get ready to bake the ultimate holiday treat with these Christmas M&M Cookies. Whether you're a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe checks all the boxes for festive fun.
First off, these cookies are incredibly simple to make. No fancy techniques, just basic ingredients and a straightforward method that delivers perfect results every time.
The festive look is unbeatable. The bright red and green M&Ms give these cookies a cheerful holiday vibe, making them ideal for cookie exchanges, gifting, or leaving out for Santa.
What makes them truly special is their soft and chewy texture. Each bite has the perfect combination of crispy edges and a tender center, with bursts of chocolate from the M&Ms.
Plus, these cookies are versatile. You can swap out the M&Ms for other mix-ins, adjust the size, or even freeze the dough for later.
Ready to get baking? Let’s talk about what you’ll need!
Ingredients Notes

The beauty of these Christmas M&M Cookies lies in their simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Here's a breakdown of the essentials:
- All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, providing structure to the cookies. Be sure to measure carefully to avoid a dry texture.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates that rich, buttery flavor and helps achieve the perfect chewiness.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a slight molasses flavor, which contributes to the soft texture.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and creates those crisp edges we love.
- Eggs: They bind the dough together and keep it soft. Use room-temperature eggs for the best results.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor. Don’t skip this!
- Christmas M&Ms: The star of the show! The red and green M&Ms make these cookies look festive and add bursts of chocolate in every bite.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread properly.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Special equipment: A stand mixer or handheld electric mixer will make whipping up this dough a breeze. Also, a cookie scoop ensures uniform cookies for even baking.
How To Make Christmas M&M Cookies

Baking these festive cookies is as easy as can be! Follow these simple steps to get soft, chewy, picture-perfect cookies every time.
- Prepare your oven and baking sheets. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Cream the butter and sugars. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed. Don’t rush this step – it creates air in the dough for the perfect texture.
- Add the wet ingredients. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in the M&Ms. Gently stir in the Christmas M&Ms using a spatula or wooden spoon. Save a handful to press on top of the cookies before baking – this gives them a picture-perfect finish.
- Scoop and bake. Use a cookie scoop to drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press a few extra M&Ms into the tops of each dough ball for that festive look. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should look slightly underdone – they’ll set as they cool.
- Cool and enjoy. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Now, grab a glass of milk and enjoy your holiday masterpiece!
These cookies come together in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute baking or quick holiday treats.
Storage Options
These Christmas M&M Cookies are just as good the next day – if they last that long! Here’s how to store them:
- At room temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to keep them soft and chewy.
- In the freezer: Both baked cookies and cookie dough freeze beautifully. For baked cookies, layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Freezing the dough: Scoop the dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, and then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Reheating tip: Pop a cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make it warm and gooey again!
Variations and Substitutions
These cookies are incredibly versatile, so feel free to get creative:
- Different M&Ms: Use peanut M&Ms, mini M&Ms, or any seasonal variety for a twist on the classic.
- Add chocolate chips: Mix in a handful of semi-sweet or white chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.
- Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a delightful crunch to the cookies.
- Gluten-free option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour.
- Sprinkles: Add festive holiday sprinkles for an extra pop of color and fun.
Feel free to experiment with your favorite flavors and mix-ins – these cookies are a blank canvas for holiday creativity!
These Christmas M&M Cookies are the ultimate festive treat for the holiday season. With their chewy texture, bright pops of color, and irresistible flavor, they’re perfect for sharing with loved ones or indulging in with a cozy mug of hot chocolate.
So preheat your oven, grab a bag of holiday M&Ms, and make this recipe a part of your Christmas traditions. Happy baking and happy holidays! 🎄✨
PrintChristmas M&m Cookies Recipe
Make these delicious and festive Christmas M&M Cookies with red and green M&Ms. Soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolatey goodness, they are perfect for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or gifting!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup shortening
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in M&Ms and chocolate chips if using.
- Scoop tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra festive cookies, press a few M&Ms onto the tops of the cookies before baking.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 85mg
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