These Chocolate M&M Cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream! Rich, decadent, and packed with colorful M&Ms and chocolate chips, they’re the perfect treat for satisfying your sweet tooth. This recipe is easy to follow and yields a batch of soft and chewy cookies that are sure to disappear quickly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Double Chocolate Delight: These cookies are double the chocolate, double the fun! The combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chips creates a rich and decadent chocolate flavor that’s irresistible.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly simple to follow, even for beginner bakers. With just a few basic ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can have a batch of freshly baked cookies ready to enjoy in no time.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: These cookies are perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight treats to special celebrations. They’re also great for packing in lunchboxes or taking on picnics.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to a crisp edge.
- Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture, and creates a chewy texture.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookies.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough, providing structure and a soft texture.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds a rich chocolate flavor. You can substitute 1/4 cup with Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor.
- Baking soda: The leavening agent that helps the cookies rise.
- Baking powder: Provides additional lift and helps create a tender crumb.
- Fine sea salt or table salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- M&Ms: Adds a colorful crunch and a burst of chocolate flavor.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Adds another layer of chocolatey goodness.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Chocolate M&M Cookies
Step 1: Cream Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 2: Combine Cookie Dough
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the M&Ms and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Step 3: Chill Dough
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 15-60 minutes (or up to 2 days) to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
Step 4: Prep and Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Using a large cookie scoop (or about 3 tablespoons), scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly crisp but the centers are still soft.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
- Remove from oven and use a spatula to shape the cookies while they’re still warm, if needed. Add more M&Ms on top of the cookies, if desired.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature for easier creaming and mixing.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can result in tough cookies. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and allows the flavors to meld.
- Even Baking: Use two baking sheets to ensure that the cookies bake evenly. If you only have one baking sheet, rotate it halfway through baking.
How to Serve
These Chocolate M&M Cookies are delicious served:
- Warm: Enjoy them fresh out of the oven for a soft and gooey treat.
- With milk: A classic pairing for cookies.
- With ice cream: Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.
- Packed in lunchboxes: A fun and satisfying treat for kids and adults alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container.
You can also freeze the cookie dough. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
You can reheat the cookies in the oven or toaster oven if desired.
FAQs
1. Can I use salted butter?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but you may want to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to compensate.
2. Can I use a different type of chocolate chips?
Yes, you can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips.
3. Can I add other mix-ins to the dough?
Absolutely! Feel free to add other mix-ins, such as chopped nuts, sprinkles, or different types of candies.
4. How can I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure to chill the dough for at least 15 minutes before baking. You can also use a higher protein flour, such as bread flour, to help prevent spreading.
PrintChocolate M&M Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20minutes
- Cook Time: 10minutes
- Total Time: 30minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate M&M Cookies are rich, chewy, and packed with colorful M&Ms. A chocolate lover’s dream, these cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (or table salt)
- 1 cup M&Ms, more for tops if desired
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in M&Ms and chocolate chips.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough for 15-60 minutes (or up to 2 days).
- Prep and Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are slightly crisp.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate flavor, substitute ¼ cup of the unsweetened cocoa powder with Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- If desired, add extra M&Ms to the tops of the cookies before baking or while they are still warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg