These Christmas M&M cookies are the perfect easy holiday treat: soft, chewy, buttery, and packed with red and green M&Ms plus chocolate chips. No need to chill the dough—perfect for last-minute baking.
This post was updated December 17, 2024 with new photos and a slightly updated recipe
If you need a quick, no-chill Christmas cookie that still tastes like it took time, these Christmas M&M cookies are ideal. They bake up soft and chewy with plenty of chocolate and festive candies. There’s no decorating required and the dough doesn’t need chilling, so they’re great for last-minute cookie trays and holiday baking with kids.
Tips for Making Christmas M&M Cookies
Follow these simple tips to get consistently chewy, flavorful cookies every time.
- Measure flour correctly. Too much flour makes cookies dry; too little makes them thin and greasy.
- Whisk flour first, then spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level it off.
- A kitchen scale and grams give the most reliable results.
- Check dough texture. Squeeze a bit of dough between your fingers—if it sticks and leaves residue, stir in 1–2 tablespoons more flour for a firmer, thicker cookie.
- Use a cookie scoop for even-sized cookies. A 1–1.5 tablespoon scoop works well.
- For larger cookies, make 3-tablespoon dough balls and bake 12–14 minutes.
- Freezing dough: Form into balls, place in a freezer bag, and bake from frozen. Add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
- Finish on top: When cookies come out of the oven, press a few extra M&Ms and chocolate chips into the tops for an attractive, bakery-style appearance.
These cookies are soft, chewy and loaded with festive M&Ms and chocolate chips. They require no chilling, no special decorating, and they come together quickly—ideal for holiday cookie swaps or an impromptu treat.
Want more easy holiday cookies?
- Easy Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
- Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
- Peanut Butter Christmas M&M Cookies
Christmas M&M Cookies
Equipment
- Cookie sheets
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226 grams)
- 1 cup white sugar (200 grams)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (158 grams), light or dark
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (406 grams), measured carefully
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup holiday M&Ms (about 165 grams), plus extra for topping
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips (about 135 grams), plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until combined.
- With the mixer off, add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Start mixing on low and increase to medium until the flour is fully incorporated.
- Turn off the mixer and test the dough by squeezing a bit between your fingers. If the dough sticks and leaves residue, add 1–2 tablespoons more flour for a firmer texture.
- Stir in the M&Ms and chocolate chips by hand.
- Form the dough into balls about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons each (use a cookie scoop). Place the cookies about 2 inches (4–5 cm) apart on the prepared sheets.
- Bake one sheet at a time on the middle rack for 8–11 minutes, or until the tops look set.
- Remove from the oven and, if desired, press a few extra M&Ms and chocolate chips into the tops for a polished look. Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- Measuring flour: Whisk first, spoon into the measuring cup, and level off. Weighing flour in grams yields the most consistent results.
- Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Form dough into balls and freeze in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time. Fully baked cookies can also be frozen; thaw in the fridge then bring to room temperature before serving.
- Nutrition: Values are estimates for one cookie (assuming 40 cookies total).