Dreamy Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe

Irresistible Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet childhood memories dance on taste buds with these irresistible soft-baked M&M cookies that promise pure comfort in every bite.

Colorful chocolate candies peek through soft, pillowy dough like hidden treasures waiting to surprise you.

These bakery-style treats deliver extraordinary texture with crisp edges and incredibly tender centers.

Each morsel melts deliciously, creating a nostalgic experience that transports you back to after-school snack moments.

Packed with chocolatey goodness and rainbow-hued candies, these cookies guarantee smiles from the first crumbly bite.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike will adore this simple yet spectacular recipe that elevates the classic chocolate chip cookie.

Prepare to fall head over heels for the most addictive cookie you’ll ever taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 25

All You Need For Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creamy foundation that provides rich, tender texture and deep flavor complexity.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, creates soft chewiness, and delivers caramel-like undertones.
  • Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps with crisp cookie edges.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients, provides structure, and ensures smooth cookie consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
For Dry Mixture Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure and provides classic tender crumb.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly with light, airy texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredient flavors.
For Mix-In Ingredients:
  • M&Ms: Colorful chocolate candies that add playful crunch and visual appeal.
  • Chocolate Chips: Melty pockets of rich chocolate that complement candy sweetness.

Kitchen Items For Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining wet ingredients smoothly and creaming butter with sugars.
  • Electric Mixer or Whisk: Perfect for beating butter and sugars until fluffy and incorporating eggs and vanilla.
  • Separate Mixing Bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients like flour, baking soda, and salt.
  • Baking Sheet: Crucial for baking cookies evenly and creating that delicious golden edge.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy cookie removal.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise for accurately measuring ingredients.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Important for cooling cookies and preventing bottom sogginess.
  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for folding in M&Ms and chocolate chips.
  • Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes and bakery-style appearance.

Quick Guide To Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe

  • Fire Up the Oven

Warm your kitchen by setting the oven to 350 degrees. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

  • Create Creamy Cookie Base

Grab a mixing bowl and whip the butter with both sugars until they become light and fluffy. Crack in the eggs and splash of vanilla, stirring until everything looks smooth and dreamy.

  • Blend Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix these dry ingredients into your buttery mixture, stirring gently until everything just comes together.

  • Add Colorful Crunch

Fold in those delightful M&Ms and chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. This is where the magic happens!

  • Shape and Bake

Scoop out cookie dough balls about the size of a golf ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one. Press a few extra M&Ms on top for that professional bakery look. Slide into the oven and bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown, around 10-12 minutes.

  • Cool and Devour

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up. Transfer to a cooling rack and get ready to enjoy these soft, chewy treats. Store any leftovers in an airtight container – if they last that long!

Fun Twists On Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe

  • Butter Temperature Trick: Let butter soften at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure perfect cookie texture and smooth blending.
  • Extra Chewy Secret: Slightly underbake cookies by removing them from the oven when edges are just golden, allowing centers to remain soft and tender.
  • M&M Placement Magic: Reserve a handful of M&Ms to press onto cookie tops right after baking for a gorgeous, professional-looking finish that makes cookies pop.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies safe for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising taste.
  • Freezer-Friendly Hack: Prepare cookie dough balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for ready-to-bake cookies anytime – just add 2-3 extra minutes to baking time.

How To Serve Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe

  • Cookie Platter Paradise: Arrange cookies on a colorful ceramic plate with different sizes, creating a visually appealing display that highlights the vibrant M&Ms.
  • Sweet Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside cold vanilla ice cream or warm milk for a delightful complementary flavor that enhances the cookie's soft texture and chocolate notes.
  • Movie Night Treat: Package cookies in cute paper bags or containers for a perfect shareable snack during family movie time or casual gatherings with friends.
  • Afternoon Tea Companion: Place cookies on a delicate china plate next to a steaming cup of chamomile or Earl Grey tea, creating a relaxed and indulgent afternoon break experience.

Save And Store Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe

  • Cookie Batch Boost: Prepare multiple batches and freeze raw dough balls for quick, fresh cookies anytime during the week.
  • Fridge Storage Strategy: Keep cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness and prevent crumbling for up to 5 days.
  • Room Temperature Trick: Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Freezing Fresh Goodness: Wrap cooled cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months, ensuring delicious treats are always within reach.
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Dreamy Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe

Dreamy Soft-Baked M&M Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

M&m cookies deliver classic comfort with a colorful twist of chocolate candies nestled in buttery dough. Sweet treats offer delightful moments of pure indulgence for cookie enthusiasts.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226 g/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g/7 oz) brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (100 g/3.5 oz) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (313 g/11 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup M&Ms (plus extra for topping)
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure effortless cookie removal.
  2. Butter Fusion: Cream butter with brown and granulated sugars until achieving a light, airy consistency that forms the cookie’s foundational flavor profile.
  3. Wet Ingredient Harmonization: Whisk eggs and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending until a smooth, silky texture emerges.
  4. Dry Ingredient Integration: Gently combine flour, baking soda, and salt, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
  5. Dough Composition: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, maintaining a tender texture while avoiding overmixing, then incorporate M&Ms and chocolate chips for vibrant flavor bursts.
  6. Cookie Shaping: Portion dough into uniform two-tablespoon balls, strategically placing them on prepared baking sheet and garnishing with additional M&Ms for visual appeal.
  7. Baking Transformation: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden, then allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for five minutes to set and develop a perfect soft-baked texture.
  8. Cooling Finale: Transfer cookies to wire rack, completing the cooling process and ensuring an irresistibly chewy, delectable treat ready for enjoyment.

Notes

  • Maintain Butter Temperature: Soften butter at room temperature for 30-60 minutes to ensure smooth creaming and even cookie texture.
  • Prevent Overmixing: Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense results.
  • Customize M&M Placement: Reserve some M&Ms to press on top of cookies before baking for a more visually appealing and intentional cookie design.
  • Adjust Baking Time for Desired Texture: Bake 10 minutes for softer cookies, 12 minutes for slightly crisp edges – experiment to find your perfect doneness.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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