Hey there! 🎄 ‘Tis the season for all things sweet, festive, and totally irresistible. Today, we’re baking up a batch of Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies with Red and Green M&Ms. They’re soft and chewy with a pop of color that’s guaranteed to make your holiday cookie platter shine. Bonus? They’re just as fun to make as they are to eat. Let’s dive into the magic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Holiday-Ready: The red and green M&Ms make these cookies perfect for Christmas vibes.
- Easy-to-Make: No fancy equipment or complicated techniques required – just a mixing bowl, your favorite holiday tunes, and a cozy kitchen.
- Customizable: Want to add crushed candy canes or white chocolate chips? Go for it!
Ingredients Breakdown
- Butter: Use unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. It’s the key to that perfect texture.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A combo for that soft chewiness and just the right amount of sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds richness that really elevates the flavor—don’t skimp here!
- Flour: All-purpose is perfect. Measure it correctly for the best results (spoon and level it!).
- Baking Soda & Salt: The power duo for giving cookies the perfect lift and balance.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet for a classic flavor, but feel free to use milk or dark chocolate chips.
- Red & Green M&Ms: These are the stars of the show! The festive touch your cookie tray needs.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender!
- Fold in the chocolate chips and 1 cup of the red and green M&Ms, reserving some for topping.
- Scoop dough onto your prepared baking sheets, about 2 tablespoons per cookie. Press a few extra M&Ms on top of each for extra holiday cheer.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked—that’s okay! They’ll set as they cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Chef’s Tips and Tricks
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temp for easier mixing and better texture.
- Chill the Dough: If your kitchen is warm, chill the dough for 20-30 minutes to prevent spreading.
- Cookie Size Matters: For uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop for portioning the dough.
Recipe Variations and Serving Suggestions
- Add Some Crunch: Stir in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra texture.
- Peppermint Twist: Add crushed candy canes to the mix for a minty holiday flavor.
- Double the Chocolate: Swap half the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips.
- Pairing: These cookies go wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or a glass of cold milk!
FAQs
- Can I freeze the dough? Absolutely! Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer to a zip-top freezer bag and bake straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time.
- How do I store these cookies? Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days—or freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
- What if I can’t find holiday M&Ms? Regular M&Ms work too! Or use colored sprinkles for festive flair.
Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies with Red and Green M&Ms
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups red and green M&Ms, divided
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and eggs.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in chocolate chips and 1 cup of M&Ms. Scoop dough onto baking sheets, pressing extra M&Ms on top.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
I hope these festive cookies bring as much joy to your kitchen as they do to mine. Let me know how they turn out in the comments, or share your creations on Instagram with #TheKitchensAid. Happy holiday baking! 🎅🍪
