M&M Cookies
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
24
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Course
Baked Goods
M&M Cookies
Description
M&M Cookies combine basic baking ingredients—flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla—with vibrant M&M candies folded through the dough. This recipe provides options for a traditional all-purpose flour variation or a gluten-free flour blend made of rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum. The dough is lightly chilled or frozen to maintain shape before baking at temperatures suited to the flour type. This process contributes to a cookie with a tender yet slightly chewy texture and a colorful, festive look. The cookies develop a pleasant balance of sweetness with the rich butter base and crunchy candy coating.
The method includes beating the butter and sugars to light and fluffy, then integrating eggs and vanilla, followed by gentle mixing of dry ingredients and M&Ms. Cookie dough balls are formed and chilled if needed, then baked until golden. These cookies can be pressed with extra M&Ms on top before baking for added visual appeal. They serve well as a sweet snack or dessert, suitable for gifting or sharing with children.
The recipe notes advise using certified gluten-free ingredients for the gluten-free version and mention that original U.S. M&Ms are gluten-free but some varieties are not. The gluten-free flour mix produces a slightly different dough that does not require freezing before shaping, enabling ease of preparation.
Ingredients
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour or the gluten-free baking mix listed below
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter softened, unsalted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons
- 2 egg room temperature, large
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract pure
- 2 ½ cups M&Ms
- M&M candy optional, additional, to press on top
*For the gluten-free baking mix:
- 2 cups rice flour
- ⅔ cup potato starch
- ⅓ cup tapioca flour
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Set the bowl aside.
- In a large mixing bowl using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla at low speed until well combined.
- On low, gradually add the flour mixture and beat just until combined. Beat in the M&Ms on low.
- If making the all-purpose flour version, roll into 1 1/2" balls (about 65 grams) - pushing any M&Ms that stick out back in. If your dough is too soft to roll into proper balls, refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until firm. Freeze dough balls on a lined baking sheet for 2 hours, or until firm.
- If making the gluten-free version, freezing is not necessary. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours. Then roll into balls.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F for the all-purpose flour version or 375° F for the gluten-free version.
- Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Place the dough balls 4" apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 16-20 minutes or until lightly and evenly browned. Keep unused dough frozen or refrigerated until ready to bake if baking in batches.
- Remove from the oven and immediately press more M&Ms on top of each cookie, if desired. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Use certified gluten-free ingredients if making the gluten-free version to avoid cross-contamination.
- Freeze cookie dough balls for at least 2 hours to help them hold their shape during baking if using all-purpose flour.
- Press additional M&Ms on top of each dough ball before baking for a colorful presentation.
- The gluten-free dough requires refrigeration for at least two hours but does not need to be frozen before shaping.
- The gluten-free flour mixture yields slightly less volume than all-purpose flour; measure carefully for best results.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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