If you’re anything like me, the holidays are all about baking treats that feel festive and fun. This Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe is exactly that—sweet, colorful, and oh-so-satisfying. I absolutely love how the crunchy M&Ms add a pop of color and texture, making these cookies a standout on any holiday cookie platter.

Whether you’re baking for a party, making gifts for neighbors, or just craving something cheerful to snack on with a cup of hot cocoa, this recipe is a total winner. Plus, it’s straightforward enough that you can make a batch in no time and get straight to enjoying those seasonal vibes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how the ingredients come together in this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe to create a cookie that’s buttery soft with just the right crunch from the M&Ms. Each component plays a role, and you don’t need anything fancy, which makes shopping a breeze.

Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for perfect creaming and a tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies spread slightly.
Brown sugar: Packed lightly to bring moisture and a slight caramel undertone.
Egg: Use a large egg at room temp for structure and richness.
Pure vanilla extract: For that cozy vanilla flavor we all love in cookies.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure without toughness.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread and rise just right.
Baking powder: Gives a slight lift for soft, puffy cookies.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the dough.
Red and green M&Ms: Divided—some mixed into the dough, some pressed on top for that festive look.

Variations

I like to mess around with this Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe sometimes to keep things exciting—feel free to adjust it to fit your mood or diet. The great thing is it’s forgiving and customizable, so don’t be shy about trying your flavor twists.

Peanut Butter Swap: I once swapped half the butter for peanut butter for an extra nutty taste—delicious if you love that combo.
Dietary tweaks: Using gluten-free flour blends works well if you need a gluten-free option.
Different candies: If M&Ms aren’t your favorite, chocolate chips or mini Reese’s Pieces are a great alternative.
Spiced Up: Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice gives a warm, holiday twist.

How to Make Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars

Start by beating your softened butter with both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes on medium speed with a stand or hand mixer. Don’t rush—it’s the secret to that perfectly tender texture in your cookies.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. I find it easiest to add the egg at room temperature so the batter doesn’t seize up or look curdled.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your rising agents evenly distribute in the dough for consistent cookies.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop once you see no more streaks of flour.

Step 5: Fold in M&Ms

Fold in 1 cup of red and green M&Ms gently. This way, you keep the cookies colorful inside without breaking the candies, which can cause a mess and faded hues.

Step 6: Scoop and Press Toppings

Scoop dough onto a lined baking tray—about tablespoon-sized scoops work well. Then gently press the remaining ½ cup of M&Ms on top of each cookie ball to get that festive, candy-coated look once baked.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Pop your tray into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges are set but the centers are still a bit soft. The residual heat will finish them off, leaving you with soft, chewy cookies. Let them cool on the tray for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack.

How to Serve Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe

The image shows seven white bowls and one block arranged on a white marbled surface. At the top left is a smooth yellow butter block. Next to it on the right is a clear glass bowl filled with fine white sugar. Below the butter block is a single brown egg. Below the sugar bowl is a white bowl filled with light brown granulated sugar. At the bottom right, a larger white bowl holds fine white flour with a slightly uneven surface. Next to it on the left is a small white bowl with coarse grains of salt and to the left of that, a medium white bowl filled with small red and green candy-coated chocolates. Above the candy bowl is another white bowl filled with fine white granulated sugar. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with these cookies—those colorful M&Ms are all the garnish you really need. But for a fun touch, I sometimes dust a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or add a drizzle of white chocolate after baking for an extra festive look.

Side Dishes

These cookies go perfectly alongside a frothy mug of peppermint hot chocolate or a classic cup of eggnog. If you want to serve them at a holiday brunch, they’re also amazing paired with a cheese board and fresh fruit for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe in a festive tin or on a two-tiered dessert stand decorated with pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks. Wrapping a few in a cellophane bag tied with a red ribbon makes a charming edible gift too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between parchment paper to prevent sticking. They usually stay fresh and chewy for up to 4-5 days, though they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

Freezing is a lifesaver with this recipe. I freeze the dough balls on a sheet tray first, then transfer them to a freezer bag. That way, when holiday cravings hit, I bake fresh cookies straight from frozen—just add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

If you have leftover cookies that lost some of their softness, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave revitalizes them beautifully. Just don’t overdo it or they’ll get tough. A minute in a low oven (275°F) also works to gently warm them.

FAQs

Can I use different colored M&Ms in the Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! While the red and green M&Ms give that classic Christmas vibe, you can swap in any color combination you like. Keep in mind brighter colors may bleed slightly, but it usually doesn’t affect the flavor or texture.
How do I keep my Christmas M&M Cookies soft?

The key is not overbaking—pull them out when the edges are set but centers still look a bit underdone. Also, using brown sugar adds moisture. Storing them in an airtight container with a slice of bread can help retain softness.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, which actually helps deepen the flavor and improves texture. Just bring it to room temperature slightly before scooping and baking.
What if I don’t have baking powder?

This recipe uses both baking soda and baking powder for balance. If you don’t have baking powder, you can omit it, but expect slightly less lift and a denser cookie.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas M&M Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking rotation because it’s simple, joyful, and always a crowd-pleaser. Every time I bake them, I’m reminded of festive gatherings and cozy kitchen moments with loved ones. I can’t recommend it enough for bringing a little extra cheer to your holiday season—give it a try and see for yourself how quickly they disappear!