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If you’re dreaming of a dessert that strikes the perfect balance between tender softness and delightful chewiness, let me introduce you to the ultimate Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies Recipe. These cookies are a nostalgic treat that combine rich buttery dough with colorful bursts of M&M’s and pockets of melty chocolate chips, making every bite a joyful experience. Whether it’s for a cozy afternoon snack or a festive gathering, these cookies never fail to bring smiles and satisfy cookie cravings like no other.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass measuring cup sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a mix of ingredients. Inside, there are several small blocks of light yellow butter nestled on top of a pile of golden brown sugar, with a smaller amount of white granulated sugar resting beside the brown sugar. The measuring cup has visible volume markings on the side, and the handle is to the right. The overall colors are soft and warm, with the transparent cup allowing full view of the textured sugars and butter. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to baking these scrumptious Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies Recipe. Each ingredient plays a key role, from giving structure and flavor to adding bursts of color and texture that make these cookies so irresistibly good.

All purpose flour (1½ cups / 188g): This is the backbone of your cookies, providing just the right texture without weighing them down.
Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps create a gentle rise, keeping your cookies soft and airy.
Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Adds a tender crumb by balancing acidity and browning your cookies beautifully.
Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the richness.
Unsalted butter (½ cup / 113g, softened but cool): The star of the show that delivers richness and chewiness.
Granulated sugar (½ cup / 100g): Adds sweetness and helps cookies spread just right.
Brown sugar (⅓ cup / 70g, lightly packed): Gives moisture, chewiness, and a delicious caramel undertone.
Large egg (1): Binds everything together while adding moisture and tenderness.
Pure vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Infuses warmth and depth to every bite.
M&M’s and chocolate chips (1½ cups total): Colorful candy-coated chocolates mixed with melty chips to make these cookies festive and fun.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy clean-up. Next, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. This simple step ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed, helping your cookies bake beautifully every time.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, usually 1 to 2 minutes. This creaming process is key to making your cookies tender and soft, as it incorporates air into the butter.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the large egg and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined, scraping the bowl sides so no buttery pockets remain. These ingredients bring moisture and rich flavor to the dough, ensuring your cookies are anything but dry.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

On low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here; you want to keep the dough tender for that perfect soft and chewy bite.

Step 5: Fold in M&M’s and Chocolate Chips

Gently stir in about one cup of the M&M’s and chocolate chips so they’re evenly dispersed throughout the dough. This combination of colorful candy and melty chips guarantees fun flavor surprises in every mouthful.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Scoop out two-tablespoon portions of dough and place the balls on a plate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to one hour. Chilling firms up the fat in the dough, helping your cookies keep their shape while baking and enhancing thickness and chewiness. If you’re short on time, chilling for at least 30 minutes still works wonders.

Step 7: Add Topping M&M’s and Bake

Press a few remaining M&M’s and chocolate chips on top of each chilled dough ball to create a picture-perfect cookie crown. Place on prepared baking sheets with a couple inches of space for spreading. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the center still looks slightly underdone—this ensures supreme softness.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Transfer baking sheets to wire racks and let cookies cool fully so they firm up just right. Patience here pays off as you’ll get the chewy, soft texture that makes this Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies Recipe so beloved.

How to Serve Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies Recipe

The image shows close-up of round, soft cookie dough balls placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie ball is light beige in color with colorful candy-coated chocolates in red, blue, yellow, green, and orange embedded on top, alongside small dark brown chocolate chips scattered within the dough. The dough has a smooth but slightly grainy texture, with the candies and chips sitting mostly on the upper half, giving a playful and colorful look. The cookie balls are arranged loosely with some partially visible in the background, showing an inviting and fresh appearance. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle a few extra mini M&M’s or edible glitter on top of cooled cookies for festive flair. You can also lightly dust with powdered sugar for a whimsical touch that contrasts beautifully with the candy colors.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies with a cold glass of milk or your favorite dairy-free alternative to create a classic treat moment. They also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert upgrade.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your cookies on a colorful serving platter with small bowls of M&M’s and chocolate chips for a fun DIY cookie bar at parties. Or package them in cellophane bags tied with ribbons for delightful homemade gifts that everyone will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for up to five days, perfect for enjoying throughout the week or sharing with friends.

Freezing

To freeze for longer storage, place baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature for a few hours, preserving that delicious softness.

Reheating

Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for about 10 seconds to revive their fresh-baked softness and melty chocolate goodness. Alternatively, pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes for a just-out-of-the-oven taste sensation.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use a trusted all-purpose gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour, and you’ll still get those soft and chewy textures with the colorful M&M’s bringing all the fun.

Do I have to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain a thicker, chewier texture and aids in flavor development. However, if you’re in a rush, you can bake immediately; just expect thinner cookies.

Can I substitute M&M’s with other candy?

Yes! Feel free to swap M&M’s for other candy-coated chocolates or even chopped chocolate bars for different textures and flavors, making the recipe your own.

How do I get perfectly round cookies?

For a neat, round shape, mound the dough balls high rather than wide and gently press extra M&M’s on top. This helps keep the cookies thick and evenly shaped as they bake.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce added salt slightly to keep the flavor balanced. Unsalted butter gives you more precise control over the seasoning.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend the Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies Recipe enough for anyone who loves classic cookies with a colorful, nostalgic twist. The combination of rich butter, melty chocolate, and sweet crunch of M&M’s is pure magic. Once you try these, I’m confident they’ll become a favorite in your baking rotation — perfect for sharing or indulging all by yourself!

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