Description
The Best M&M Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with colorful candy-coated chocolates. This easy cookie recipe combines buttery dough, brown sugar sweetness, and vibrant M&Ms for a bakery-style treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour – provides structure and balance
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder – helps the cookies rise slightly
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – ensures proper spread and chewiness
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt – enhances flavor
- 2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter, softened – adds rich flavor and moisture
- 1 3/4 cups packed dark brown sugar – creates a chewy texture and caramel flavor
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – balances sweetness and crispness
- 2 large eggs, room temperature – binds the ingredients and adds structure
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract – adds warm aroma
- 2 cups M&M’s (candy-coated chocolates) – colorful chocolate crunch in every bite
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy (about 4 minutes).
- Beat in the eggs one at a time until smooth, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture until combined.
- Reserve 1/4 cup of the M&M’s, then fold in the remaining 1 3/4 cups by hand.
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the dough’s surface and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until chilled.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough into 24 balls (about 3 tablespoons each) or use a #20 cookie scoop. Place 6 dough balls per sheet and top each with reserved M&M’s.
- Bake 15–18 minutes, rotating halfway through, until edges are golden and centers are soft.
- Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill dough for at least 1 hour for thicker, chewier cookies.
- Don’t overbake; cookies continue cooking as they cool.
- Press extra M&M’s on top before baking for a bakery-style appearance.
- Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness.
- Measure flour by spooning and leveling to avoid dry cookies.
- Prep Time: 1 hr 30 min (includes chilling time)
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: The Best M&M Cookies, chewy cookies, chocolate cookies, candy cookies, homemade cookies, dessert recipe, Food Network cookie recipe