The Ultimate Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies: Easy Jumbo Recipe for Any Occasion
There’s a special kind of magic in a homemade cookie, and these Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies are no exception. They’ve always been a cherished favorite in our home, and for good reason! This recipe makes them incredibly easy to prepare, brimming with delightful chocolate chips and vibrant M&M candies. We especially love to make them jumbo-sized, transforming a simple treat into a truly satisfying indulgence. While they share a comforting, hearty appeal with my popular Monster Cookies, these M&M delights offer a distinct, oat-free experience, putting the spotlight firmly on their chewy texture and colorful, chocolatey goodness. What’s more, they are wonderfully versatile and can be effortlessly adjusted for any holiday or special occasion, as you’ll discover below!
Why These Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Will Be Your New Favorite
These cookies are an absolute sensation, undeniably a favorite among children, yet I’ve never encountered an adult who could resist their charm! The vibrant colors and satisfying crunch of M&M candies, combined with classic chocolate chips, make them universally appealing. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the soft, chewy cookie base and the crisp candy shell, followed by a burst of sweet chocolate. The jumbo size means more to love in every cookie, making them perfect for sharing (or not!).
What’s more, our Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies offer fantastic versatility for tailoring them to various holidays. Simply select M&M’s in specific colors to transform your batch into a festive treat! For instance, imagine a batch of warm cookies adorned with only green and red M&M’s for Christmas, instantly bringing cheer to your holiday spread. The possibilities are endless, making this recipe a go-to for any celebration throughout the year.
EXPERT TIP: Make patriotic cookies! Celebrate national holidays like the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day by swapping out regular M&M’s for red, white, and blue M&M’s! The rest of the recipe remains exactly the same, creating a delicious and visually stunning patriotic dessert that will impress your guests.
Customizing Your M&M Cookies for Any Holiday or Event
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this M&M cookie recipe is its incredible adaptability. By simply changing the color scheme of your M&M candies, you can effortlessly transform these everyday delights into themed treats perfect for any holiday or special occasion. This simple trick adds a personalized touch that guests of all ages will appreciate and makes these cookies a staple for year-round celebrations. Keep an eye out in stores, especially during seasonal periods, for these holiday-specific M&M colors!
- Christmas: Use classic red and green M&M’s, or even M&M’s with white chocolate for a snowy touch, to create festive holiday cookies that are perfect for gift-giving or dessert tables.
- Valentine’s Day: Opt for red, pink, and white M&M’s for a sweet declaration of love. These cookies make a thoughtful, homemade gift for friends, family, or that special someone.
- Easter: Pastel-colored M&M’s (often available seasonally) are perfect for a spring-themed batch. Imagine light blues, yellows, and pinks adorning your cookies for an Easter brunch.
- St. Patrick’s Day: Green M&M’s will add a touch of luck to your cookies. Pair them with a few gold sprinkles for an extra festive flair.
- Halloween: Use orange, purple, and black (if you can find them) M&M’s for a spooky twist. These are fantastic for Halloween parties or as a fun treat for trick-or-treaters.
- Fourth of July/Patriotic Holidays: As highlighted in our expert tip, red, white, and blue M&M’s are ideal for celebrating national pride. They look stunning on a dessert platter.
- Baby Showers/Gender Reveals: Pick blue or pink M&M’s to match the theme of a baby shower or gender reveal party. You can even mix them for an element of surprise!
- Team Spirit/School Colors: Support your favorite sports team or celebrate school events by using M&M’s in their team or school colors.
This versatility truly makes the Chocolate Chip M&M Cookie recipe a must-have in your baking repertoire. It’s an easy and fun way to add a personalized, cheerful touch to any event.
Essential Ingredients for Making M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
Crafting these irresistible cookies begins with a careful selection of readily available ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the desired chewy texture, rich flavor, and vibrant appearance. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Dry Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour: The structural backbone of our cookies. It’s crucial for achieving the right consistency.
- Baking soda: A key leavening agent that reacts with the acidic brown sugar to help the cookies rise and spread beautifully, contributing to their signature soft and chewy interior.
- Salt: Don’t skip this! Salt is essential for balancing the sweetness of the sugars and chocolates, enhancing all the other flavors in the cookie.
- Wet Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter (softened): The foundation of rich flavor and tender texture. Using unsalted butter gives you precise control over the overall salt content in the recipe. Make sure it’s properly softened (not melted!) for optimal creaming.
- Packed light brown sugar: This provides moisture, which is crucial for a chewy cookie, along with a delightful molasses flavor that adds depth.
- Granulated sugar: Contributes to the crisp edges and helps achieve that perfect golden-brown color, while also adding to the overall sweetness.
- Large eggs: Eggs act as a binder, adding richness, moisture, and helping to emulsify the batter for a consistent structure. Bringing them to room temperature ensures they incorporate smoothly.
- Vanilla extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that complements and elevates the taste of both the chocolate and the M&M’s, adding a warm, aromatic note.
- Mix-ins:
- Chocolate chips: The classic choice for a reason! They melt into delicious pockets of chocolatey goodness. Semi-sweet chips are traditional, but feel free to use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a blend to suit your preference.
- M&M candies: The star of these cookies! M&M’s add vibrant color, a satisfying candy-coated crunch, and an extra layer of chocolatey sweetness. Be sure to reserve a few extra M&M’s for pressing onto the top of the cookie dough balls before baking—this ensures plenty of visible color and a professional, bakery-style finish.
Expert Baking Tips for Achieving Perfect M&M Cookies Every Time
Baking delicious M&M cookies is straightforward, but a few key tips can elevate your results from good to absolutely perfect:
- Proper Butter Consistency is Key: “Softened butter” means it should be pliable enough to leave a slight indentation when gently pressed, but not melted, greasy, or still hard from the fridge. Typically, taking it out about 20-30 minutes before you begin mixing is ideal. Butter that is too soft or melted will cause your cookies to spread excessively, resulting in flat, crispy (and often greasy) cookies instead of thick, chewy ones.
- Room Temperature Eggs for Smooth Mixing: For best baking results, bring your eggs out of the fridge at the same time as your butter. Room temperature eggs emulsify more effectively with the butter and sugar mixture, creating a smoother, more uniform dough. This leads to a better overall cookie texture and consistency.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mix only until the flour streaks have just disappeared. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, which can lead to tough, dense, and dry cookies. A light touch here ensures a soft and tender crumb.
- The Jumbo Scoop Advantage: We highly recommend using a large cookie scoop or an ice cream scoop (approximately 3 Tablespoons) to create perfectly uniform, jumbo-sized cookies. This not only ensures consistent baking but also delivers that satisfying, substantial cookie experience.
- Visual Appeal with Extra M&M’s: For that irresistible, bakery-style look, gently press a few extra M&M’s onto the tops of your scooped cookie dough balls just before baking. This ensures plenty of colorful candies are visible on the surface of the finished cookies.
- Effective Cookie Storage: To keep these delightful chocolate chip M&M cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will retain their deliciousness for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them even softer, try placing a slice of plain bread in the container with the cookies; they’ll absorb the moisture from the bread.
- Freezing Dough for Future Treats: This cookie dough freezes exceptionally well, which is perfect for having fresh-baked cookies on demand without all the prep work! I like to scoop out the dough into individual balls first. Flash freeze these dough balls on a baking sheet for about 30-60 minutes until they are firm. Once solid, transfer the frozen balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, you can place them directly from frozen onto a baking sheet, adding an extra 2-4 minutes to the original baking time.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Irresistible Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
Creating these perfectly chewy and colorful jumbo M&M cookies is a fun and rewarding process. Follow these straightforward steps to achieve cookie perfection:
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pans: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures your cookies bake evenly and release easily.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer), cream together the softened unsalted butter, packed light brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about 1 minute. Beat until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This step incorporates air, which is vital for the cookies’ soft and chewy texture.
- Incorporate Eggs & Vanilla: Add the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until just combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk thoroughly to ensure the leavening agent is evenly distributed.
- Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in the large bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined. It’s crucial not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can develop gluten, leading to tough cookies. Stop as soon as no dry flour streaks remain.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s candies using a sturdy spatula. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop & Decorate Cookies: Using a large cookie scoop or an ice cream scoop (each scoop should be approximately 3 Tablespoons for our jumbo size), drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Ensure they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for proper spreading during baking. For an extra pop of color and a professional finish, gently press a few additional M&M’s onto the top of each cookie dough ball.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers still appear slightly soft and set. Keep in mind that oven temperatures can vary, so watch your cookies closely. They will continue to set as they cool.
- Cool & Enjoy: Allow the baked cookies to cool on the baking pan for 2 minutes. This brief resting period is important as it helps the cookies firm up and prevents them from breaking when transferred. After 2 minutes, carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. These cookies are delicious served warm, or at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Baking M&M Cookies
Here are answers to some common questions you might have when baking these delightful M&M cookies:
How do I prevent my M&M cookies from spreading too much and becoming flat?
Several factors can cause cookies to spread excessively. First, ensure your butter is softened, not melted or overly warm. Over-softened butter makes the dough too loose. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour) before baking can also significantly help firm it up. Make sure your oven is accurately preheated to the correct temperature; a too-cool oven can cause excessive spreading. Lastly, verify your baking soda is fresh and active, as expired leavening agents can affect cookie structure.
Can I make these cookies smaller than jumbo size?
Absolutely! If you prefer standard-sized cookies, use a smaller cookie scoop (typically 1.5-2 tablespoons per cookie). Remember to adjust the baking time accordingly. Smaller cookies will likely bake in 7-9 minutes, so keep a close eye on them until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are just set.
What’s the best way to store baked M&M cookies to keep them fresh and soft?
Once completely cooled, store your M&M cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. To maintain their softness, you can place a slice of plain bread (like white bread) in the container with the cookies; the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, keeping them wonderfully soft.
Can I use different types of chocolate or other mix-ins?
Yes, absolutely! While semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic choice, feel free to experiment. You can use milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, or even chopped chocolate bars for varied textures and flavors. For other mix-ins, consider adding chopped nuts, sprinkles, or white chocolate chips for a different twist.
What’s the ideal consistency for “softened butter”?
Softened butter is butter that has been left at room temperature until it’s pliable enough to easily make an indentation with your finger, but it still holds its shape and is not melted or greasy. It should be cool to the touch. Using butter that is too hard will result in a lumpy dough, while melted butter will drastically change the cookie’s texture, typically leading to flatter, crispier cookies. Softened butter is crucial for creaming with sugar, as this process incorporates air into the dough, which contributes to a lighter, chewier cookie.
Can I freeze the baked M&M cookies?
Yes, baked M&M cookies freeze very well! Once they are completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
More Irresistible Cookie Recipes to Try
If you’re a fan of these delightful Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies, you’ll love exploring some of our other cherished cookie and bar recipes. From classic chocolate chip delights to unique and creative bars, there’s something for every cookie enthusiast and every occasion:
- Big Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies: A classic for a reason, these are a go-to for many!
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: A delicious combination of flavors and textures.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars: Easy-to-make bars that pack a powerful flavor punch.
- Magic Bars (Seven Layer Bars): A rich, decadent classic that’s surprisingly simple.
- S’mores Cookies: All the joy of s’mores in a convenient cookie form.
- Doubletree Chocolate Chip Cookies: Recreate the famous hotel cookie experience at home.
Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
These classic Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies are wonderfully easy to make and perfect for customizing with different M&M colors for any holiday or special occasion!
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
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup M&M’s candies plus more for top of cookies
Things You’ll Need
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Stand mixer
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Ice cream scoop
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Insulated baking sheets
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Silicone baking mat
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Wire cooling racks
Before You Begin
- Check stores for M&M holiday specific colors. This is a great way to change things up for specific holidays!
- You can store these cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- This dough will freeze well. I like to scoop out the dough first, flash freeze the balls, then place the frozen balls into a freezer bag.
- Softened butter means you should take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before using it. You don’t want it too soft.
- For best baking results, bring the eggs out at the same time as the butter.
- We used a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop for jumbo-sized cookies.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugars for 1 minute until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each, then stir in the vanilla until just combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s.
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Using a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop (about 3 Tablespoons), scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Place extra M&M’s on the top of the cookies for aesthetic appeal.
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Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops are light golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
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Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
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.