Irresistible Easter M&M Cookies: A Perfect Pastel Treat for Spring
Celebrate Easter with these delightful M&M cookies, featuring perfectly crispy, buttery edges that give way to a wonderfully soft, chewy center. Each bite is studded with creamy, melty white chocolate chips and vibrant, pastel-colored M&M candies, making them as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Easter M&M Cookie Recipe
Our Easter M&M cookies are more than just a seasonal treat; they’re a symphony of textures and flavors. You’ll adore their irresistible chewiness, soft interior, and those sought-after buttery, golden-brown edges that make every cookie perfect. The inclusion of sweet white chocolate chips complements the rich cookie base, while the festive pastel M&M’s not only add a delightful crunch and chocolatey burst but also infuse each cookie with a cheerful pop of color, making them truly eye-catching.
What makes this recipe truly special is its adaptability. These festive cookies are a joyful spin on our beloved classic chocolate chip M&M cookies, with just a couple of simple adjustments: swapping traditional chocolate chips for white chocolate and using charming pastel M&M candies. This makes them incredibly versatile for any celebration! We’ve successfully adapted this recipe for various occasions, from the patriotic red, white, and blue M&M’s for the Fourth of July, to romantic reds and pinks for Valentine’s Day, and festive green and red M&M’s for Christmas. It’s the ultimate base for a customizable holiday cookie that always delivers on taste and presentation.
Essential Ingredients for Your Easter M&M Cookies
Crafting these delicious Easter M&M cookies requires a few pantry staples and a touch of seasonal flair. While the full list of precise measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the conclusion of this post, let’s highlight some key components and why they matter for achieving cookie perfection.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Swaps
Understanding the role of each ingredient and knowing when to substitute can elevate your baking experience. Here’s a closer look at the components of these Easter M&M cookies:
Dry Ingredients
Flour, Baking Soda, and Salt: For truly perfect cookies, investing in a kitchen scale is highly recommended. Accurately weighing your flour and sugars ensures consistent results every time. Too much flour is a common culprit for dry, crumbly cookies that lack that desirable chewiness. When you scoop flour directly from the bag, it can become compacted, leading to an excess amount in your recipe. Weighing your ingredients eliminates this guesswork, guaranteeing the precise quantities needed for a soft, perfectly textured cookie base. Baking soda provides the necessary lift, while salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Fats & Sugars
Unsalted Butter: Ensure your butter is at room temperature – soft enough to indent with your finger, but not melted. This allows it to cream properly with the sugars, incorporating air which is crucial for fluffy, light cookies. Unsalted butter gives you control over the overall saltiness of the recipe.
Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: The combination of these two sugars is key to the cookie’s texture and flavor. Light brown sugar adds moisture, contributing to the chewy texture, and a subtle caramel note. Granulated sugar provides crispness around the edges and overall sweetness. The ratio here is carefully balanced to achieve those addictive crispy edges and soft centers.
Flavor Enhancers
Eggs: Large eggs bind the ingredients together, add moisture, and contribute to the cookie’s structure. Make sure they are also at room temperature for better emulsion with the butter and sugar mixture.
Vanilla Extract: A good quality vanilla extract is essential for adding warmth and depth to the cookie flavor, complementing the chocolate and candy notes beautifully.
Mix-Ins & Toppings
White Chocolate Chips: We chose white chocolate chips specifically for their beautiful contrast with the pastel M&M’s, creating a visually appealing and distinctly Easter-themed cookie. The creamy sweetness of white chocolate pairs wonderfully with the overall flavor profile. However, feel free to substitute with semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips based on your preference. A combination of different chocolate types can also add an interesting layer of flavor complexity.
Easter M&M Candies: These are the stars of the show, bringing vibrant pastel colors and a satisfying crunch. Their candy shell helps them hold their shape during baking, providing delightful texture pockets throughout the cookie. If you’re adapting this recipe for other holidays, simply swap out the Easter M&M’s for holiday-specific colors or other small, candy-coated chocolates.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Easter M&M Cookies
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Begin by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined. Whisking ensures these ingredients are evenly distributed, which is crucial for consistent cookie texture. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream the Butter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature unsalted butter on medium-high speed. Continue until the butter is light in color and fluffy in texture, indicating that air has been properly incorporated. This process usually takes 2-3 minutes.
- Add Sugars: Add both the light brown sugar (packed) and granulated sugar to the beaten butter. Continue beating for another 2 to 3 minutes. This step is vital for developing the cookie’s texture; the more air whipped into this mixture, the lighter and fluffier your cookies will be. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl with a soft silicone spatula to ensure all ingredients are well-incorporated.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add one large egg and mix on low speed until it is just combined. Then, add the second large egg along with the vanilla extract. Continue mixing on low speed until everything is barely incorporated. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the whisked flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. It’s crucial not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough, dry cookies instead of soft, chewy ones. Stop mixing as soon as no streaks of flour remain.
- Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1 cup of Easter M&M’s using your spatula. Be careful not to crush the candies. This ensures a delightful distribution of chocolate and candy throughout the dough.
- Scoop the Dough: Using a large 3-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Make sure to space the mounds about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking. Uniform scoops ensure all cookies bake evenly.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the scooped cookie dough mounds for a minimum of 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Chilling the dough is a critical step that prevents the cookies from spreading too much, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies. It also allows the flavors to meld, leading to a richer taste. For an even more outstanding flavor and texture, consider chilling the dough for 24-48 hours. This prolonged chilling is truly worth the wait, deepening the caramel notes and enhancing chewiness!
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the chilled cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops appear puffy and the edges are golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft, but they will set as they cool. Avoid overbaking to maintain that perfect soft interior.
- Add Extra Toppings (Optional but Recommended): As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, while they are still warm and soft, gently press the remaining white chocolate chips and M&M’s onto the tops of the cookies. This gives them a beautiful, bakery-style finish and ensures a vibrant, festive look.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to set and firm up on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking and ensures they hold their shape.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Absolutely! These cookies are excellent for freezing, both baked and unbaked. For unbaked dough, scoop the cookie dough into individual balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flash freeze them until solid, then transfer the frozen dough balls to an airtight container or a large freezer-safe zip-top bag. This way, you can bake fresh cookies whenever a craving strikes! Baked cookies also freeze beautifully. Simply allow them to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. You can freeze both unbaked cookie dough and baked cookies for up to 3 months, making them perfect for meal prep or future enjoyment.
Flat cookies are a common baking frustration, but a few simple adjustments can prevent this:
- Butter Temperature: Ensure your butter is at true room temperature – soft but not melted or greasy. Melted butter will cause the cookies to spread excessively. When butter is at the correct temperature, it can be properly creamed with sugar, creating air pockets that give the cookies their structure and lift.
- Dough Chilling: Insufficiently chilled dough is a major culprit. The cold butter in the dough takes longer to melt in the oven, preventing excessive spreading. Always chill your dough for at least 40 minutes, and ideally 24-48 hours for the best results.
- Dough Shape: After scooping the dough, resist the urge to flatten the mounds. Bake them with their rounded shape; they will naturally spread and settle into a perfect cookie shape during baking. Flattening them beforehand encourages them to spread too thin.
- Oven Temperature: Ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature. An oven that isn’t hot enough can also lead to flat cookies. An oven thermometer is a great tool for accuracy.
Yes, absolutely! If you prefer smaller, more bite-sized cookies, opt for a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop instead of the suggested 3-tablespoon size. You will need to adjust the baking time accordingly, reducing it to approximately 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during baking, as smaller cookies can brown more quickly.
To maintain their freshness and delicious texture, store the baked and completely cooled cookies in an airtight container or a large zip-top bag. Keep them at room temperature, and they will remain fresh and delightful for 3-4 days. For longer storage, refer to the freezing instructions above.
Delightful Serving Suggestions
These beautiful Easter M&M cookies are guaranteed to be the star of any dessert table, especially during spring celebrations. Their vibrant pastel hues make them an ideal addition to Easter brunches, family gatherings, or simply as a joyous treat to brighten any day. Beyond a dessert centerpiece, they make for a truly sweet tradition to start with your children, offering a fun activity to bake together and create lasting memories.
Looking for a thoughtful gift? Wrap these charming cookies in clear cellophane baggies and tie them with a delicate pastel ribbon. They make excellent homemade presents for neighbors, teachers, or as party favors. As previously mentioned, the beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. By simply swapping out the M&M colors, you can easily transform these into themed cookies for virtually any holiday or event, ensuring you always have a crowd-plepleasing treat with the same dreamy texture and flavor.
More Easter Dessert Recipes to Explore
If you’re planning an Easter feast or just looking for more festive treats, here are some other delicious dessert ideas:
- Easter Dirt Cake
- Easter Muddy Buddies
- Carrot Rice Krispie Treats
- Easter Egg Oreo Truffles
I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!
Easter M&M Cookies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour 360g
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature. 226g
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed. 213g
- ¾ cup granulated sugar 149g
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips divided
- 1 cup Easter M&M candies
Topping
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Easter M&M candies
Things You’ll Need
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Kitchen scale
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Stand mixer
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Rubber spatula
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Baking sheet
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3 tablespoon cookie scoop
Before You Begin
- If these cookies are too big for you, opt for a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop for medium-sized cookies. You will need to reduce the baking time to 8-10 minutes.
- Invest in a kitchen scale to get the exact amount of flour and sugars needed for the cookies to come out perfectly. Too much flour is notorious for yielding dry, crumbly cookies. It’s always your best bet to weigh your ingredients instead of scooping straight from the bag.
- For an outstanding-tasting cookie, refrigerate the scooped cookie dough for 24-48 hours beforehand and then bake according to directions. It’s worth the wait!
Instructions
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Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.3 cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.1 cup unsalted butter
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Add the sugars and continue beating for 2 to 3 minutes. (The more air that is whipped into the sugar mixture, the fluffier your cookies will be). Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a soft silicone spatula.1 cup light brown sugar, 3/4 cup granulated sugar
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Add one of the two eggs and mix on low speed until just combined, then add the next egg and vanilla extract.2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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Add the flour mixture and continue mixing until just combined. Do not overmix the dough; this will make your cookies tough.
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Fold in 1 cup each of the white chocolate chips and Easter M&M’s.1 cup white chocolate chips, 1 cup Easter M&M candies
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Using the large 3-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets (spacing them 2 inches apart).
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Refrigerate the mounds of cookie dough for a minimum of 40 minutes and preheat the oven to 350°F.
TIP – For an outstanding-tasting cookie, refrigerate the scooped cookie dough for 24-48 hours beforehand and then bake according to directions. It’s worth the wait!
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Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the tops are puffy and golden.
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Working quickly and while the cookie is still warm, gently push the remaining chocolate chips and M&M’s on to the tops of the cookies.1/4 cup white chocolate chips, 1/4 cup Easter M&M candies
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Allow the cookies to set on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store the baked and cooled cookies in an air-tight container or large ziptop bag kept at room temperature for 3-4 days.
- Freezing – Pre-scoop the cookie dough before freezing, that way they are ready to bake. Place the dough balls on a parchment lined baking sheet and flash freeze until solid. Transfer the dough balls to an air-tight container or large ziptop bag. Baked cookies also freeze very well! You can freeze both unbaked or baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.