Get Ready to Bake the Best Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies!

The scent of warm vanilla and sweet chocolate filling your home. Carols playing softly in the background. Snow (real or imagined!) falling outside. Ah, the magic of Christmas! And what better way to add to that festive cheer than with a batch of homemade Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies? Forget complicated recipes and endless cleanup; this isn’t just another cookie. This is your ticket to stress-free holiday baking that delivers maximum delight with minimum fuss. Get ready to impress Santa (and everyone else!) with cookies that are as vibrant and joyful as the season itself!

Why You’ll Love These Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies

These aren’t just any holiday cookies; they’re the ultimate shortcut to festive deliciousness. Here are four fantastic reasons why these Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies will become your go-to Christmas tradition:

1. Seriously Easy & Quick: With a prep time of just 20 minutes and a lightning-fast bake time of 8-11 minutes, you’ll go from dough to delightful in under half an hour. Perfect for last-minute treats or when you’re juggling a busy holiday schedule.
2. Irresistibly Chewy Texture: No dry, crumbly cookies here! This recipe is specifically designed to yield that perfect soft, chewy center with slightly crisp edges, making every bite pure bliss.
3. Festive & Fun for All Ages: The vibrant holiday M&M’s and a generous dash of sprinkles make these cookies a visual delight. They’re a joy to make with kids and an instant hit at any holiday gathering.
4. A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: From school parties to office potlucks, cookie exchanges, or just a cozy night in, these Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies disappear fast. They’re universally loved for their classic taste and holiday spirit.

Ingredients for Your Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies

Gather your festive ingredients and let’s get baking! Here’s everything you’ll need to create a batch of these holiday showstoppers:

• 🌾 1 ½ cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour: The foundation of your chewy masterpieces.
• 🥣 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps with that lovely rise.
• 🧪 ½ teaspoon baking soda: The secret to chewiness and spread.
• 🧂 ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• 🧈 ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Essential for a rich, tender crumb.
• 🍚 ½ cup granulated sugar: For sweetness and a little crispness.
• 🍯 ⅓ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed: Adds moisture and that signature chewy texture.
• 🥚 1 large egg: Binds everything together.
• ✨ 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: The star flavor of any good cookie.
• 🍬 1 ½ cups holiday M&M’s (or a mix with chocolate chips), divided: The festive stars of the show!
• 🎉 ¼ cup festive sprinkles: For extra holiday sparkle and fun.

Detailed Directions: How to Bake Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies

Ready to create some holiday magic? Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to bake your perfect batch of Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies:

1. Get Ready to Bake: First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking!
2. Dry Mix Magic: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Give it a good whisk until everything is thoroughly combined – this prevents pockets of leavening in your cookies. Set this important mix aside.
3. Creamy Goodness: In a larger mixing bowl, using your electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer works!), beat the softened butter with both the granulated and light brown sugars. Beat for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns wonderfully light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process is key for chewy cookies!
4. Wet Ingredients In: Next, add the large egg and the pure vanilla extract to your creamy butter and sugar mixture. Mix until they are just combined. Don’t forget to pause and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is incorporated evenly.
5. Combine and Conquer: Now, slowly add the dry flour mixture (from step 2) to your wet ingredients. Mix on low speed, just until the dough comes together. The golden rule here: do not overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
6. Add the Fun Stuff: Gently fold in about 1 cup of your festive M&M’s (or your M&M’s and chocolate chip combo) into the cookie dough using a spatula. We save some for the top!
7. Shape & Decorate: Pour your sprinkles into a shallow bowl, ready for dipping. Scoop out portions of dough, about 1 ½ to 2 ½ tablespoons each (use a cookie scoop for consistency!). Lightly press a few of the remaining M&M’s onto the top of each dough ball. Then, gently press the M&M-decorated top of each ball into the sprinkles. This gives them that irresistible, festive look!
8. Bake Away: Place your decorated cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring you leave a couple of inches between each to allow for spreading. Bake for 8-11 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges look set and slightly golden, but the centers still appear a little soft and slightly underbaked. This is the secret to their perfect chewy texture!
9. Cool Down: Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. They will continue to bake slightly from the residual heat and firm up. After a few minutes, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, they’re ready for pure enjoyment!

Presenting & Serving Your Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies

Once your Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies are baked and cooled, the fun doesn’t stop there! Their vibrant colors and delicious aroma make them perfect for a variety of festive presentations and serving ideas:

• The Classic Cookie Platter: Arrange them artfully on a festive platter with other holiday treats like gingerbread or shortbread. The M&M’s and sprinkles will pop!
• Thoughtful Gift Bags: Stack a few cookies in clear cellophane bags, tie with a festive ribbon, and add a homemade gift tag. They make wonderful gifts for neighbors, teachers, or colleagues.
• Cookie Exchange Ready: Bring these to your next holiday cookie exchange! They’re unique, delicious, and stand out with their cheerful decorations.
• Santa’s Special Plate: Don’t forget the big man himself! Leave a couple of these on a plate with a glass of milk on Christmas Eve – Santa will definitely approve.
• Cozy Winter Pairing: Serve them alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa with whipped cream or a tall glass of cold milk. It’s the ultimate comfort combo for a chilly day.
• Dessert Bar Centerpiece: If you’re hosting a holiday party, these cookies are perfect for a dessert table. Arrange them on different height stands to create visual interest.

Storing Your Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies

So, you’ve made a batch of delicious Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies. Now, how do you keep them fresh and chewy for as long as possible? Here’s how:

• At Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container. A cookie jar or a sturdy plastic container with a tight-fitting lid works best. Keep them at room temperature on your counter or in a pantry. They will stay wonderfully fresh and chewy for up to 3-5 days. For extra softness, you can even place a slice of bread in the container – the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread.
• Freezing for Longer: These cookies freeze beautifully! Once completely cool, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, layering them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
• Thawing Frozen Cookies: To enjoy frozen cookies, simply remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two. If you want that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes, or microwave for 10-15 seconds.

FAQs About Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies

Got questions about these delightful Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies? We’ve got answers!

1. What kind of M&M’s should I use?
   You can use classic holiday-themed M&M’s for that perfect Christmas look, or a mix of red and green M&M’s. Plain milk chocolate M&M’s work great too! Feel free to mix in some regular chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.
2. Can I use different types of sprinkles?
   Absolutely! Get creative with your sprinkles. Use classic nonpareils, festive jimmie sprinkles, edible glitter, or even a mix of different shapes like stars or snowflakes to enhance the holiday theme.
3. What if I don’t have an electric mixer?
   No problem! You can still make these cookies. Just be prepared for a bit of an arm workout. Use a sturdy whisk to combine the dry ingredients and a wooden spoon or spatula to cream the butter and sugars, and then mix in the wet and dry ingredients.
4. How do I know when the cookies are done?
   Look for edges that are lightly golden brown and set, while the centers still appear slightly soft and puffy. They might look a little underbaked in the middle, but this is the secret to their chewy texture! They will continue to set as they cool.
5. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
   Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough (without the M&M’s and sprinkles) and chill it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly, then proceed with adding the mix-ins, shaping, and baking.
6. Can these cookies be frozen?
   Yes, both the baked cookies and the cookie dough balls can be frozen! See the “Storing Your Easy & Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies” section for detailed instructions.
7. Why are my cookies spreading too much?
   This can happen for a few reasons: your butter might have been too soft (verging on melted), your oven temperature might be too low, or you might have used too much leavening. Ensure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch, and check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer if you suspect it’s off.
8. Can I substitute unsalted butter for salted?
   While unsalted butter is recommended for better control of salt levels, you can use salted butter. Just reduce the added salt in the recipe by about ¼ teaspoon.
9. Can I make them gluten-free?
   You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Results may vary slightly in texture.
10. What’s the best way to get them chewy?
    Key tips for chewiness include using brown sugar (for moisture), not overmixing the dough (to prevent gluten development), and slightly underbaking them (removing them when the centers are still a bit soft). Cooling on the baking sheet for a few minutes also helps!