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M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe & Baking Guide


  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 24-30 cookies 1x

Description

Soft, chewy M&M chocolate chip cookies bursting with colorful M&Ms and melty chocolate chips. A perfect, sweet, and classic treat!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups M&M’s candies (regular size), divided
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
  2. Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Don’t overmix.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears.
  5. Fold in the M&M’s and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 1 ½ cups of the M&M’s and the chocolate chips. Reserve the remaining ½ cup of M&M’s for pressing onto the cookies before baking.
  6. Chill the Dough (Important!): Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. If chilling for longer than 2 hours, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before scooping.
  7. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  8. Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
  9. Press Extra M&M’s on Top (Optional but Recommended): Gently press a few extra M&M’s onto the top of each cookie before baking.
  10. Bake the Cookies: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
  11. Cool on Baking Sheets: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter for proper creaming.
  • Don’t overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies.
  • Chilling the dough is essential for preventing spreading.
  • Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.
  • Don’t overbake the cookies.
  • Vary the M&M’s with different colors or flavors.
  • Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra flavor.
  • Make them Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
  • Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the cookie dough for up to 2 months. Scoop the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months.
  • Troubleshooting:
    • Cookies Spreading Too Thin: Use softened butter, chill the dough, and measure ingredients accurately.
    • Cookies Too Dry: Bake until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
    • Cookies Too Tough: Mix until just combined.
    • Cookies Not Spreading Enough: Measure ingredients accurately.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 9-11 minutes