The Best Soft and Chewy M&M’S Cookies Recipe

These Soft and Chewy M&M’S Cookies are everything a cookie lover dreams about—crispy edges, gooey centers, and bursts of melty chocolate candy in every bite. They’re quick to make, wildly delicious, and hands down one of the easiest cookie recipes to pull off on a weeknight. Whether you’re baking for a party, a lunchbox treat, or just a cozy night in, these cookies never disappoint.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Easy: No need to chill the dough or bust out fancy equipment. Just mix, scoop, and bake.
• Perfect Texture: Think soft and chewy centers with lightly golden, crisp edges—the best of both worlds.
• Colorful and Fun: M&M’S add color and crunch, making these cookies just as fun to look at as they are to eat.
• Great for All Occasions: Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or a weekday pick-me-up. These cookies fit right in everywhere.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple pantry staples come together to create something magical. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie that holds everything together and gives that soft texture.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and keeps them from turning out flat.
• Salt: Balances out the sweetness and brings out the flavor in the chocolate and brown sugar.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps the cookies stay tender. Softened butter works best for proper creaming.
• Brown sugar: Adds moisture and gives the cookies their irresistible chewy texture and deep, caramel-like flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Helps create a lightly crisp exterior and balances the molasses flavor from the brown sugar.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add structure and richness.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds that classic bakery aroma.
• M&M’S candies: The star of the show! Use regular or mini M&M’S for a colorful, chocolatey crunch in every bite.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional but recommended): For extra chocolate pockets and added richness.

Variations

Switch it up and make these cookies your own with a few fun twists:

• Peanut M&M’S: Adds a nutty crunch—just coarsely chop them before mixing in.
• Seasonal M&M’S: Use holiday-themed M&M’S for festive flair (think red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter).
• Stuffed Cookies: Pop a square of chocolate or a dollop of Nutella in the center of each cookie for a surprise filling.
• Oatmeal M&M’S: Mix in some quick oats for a heartier texture and a slightly nutty flavor.
• Gluten-Free: Swap in a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these treats gluten-friendly.

How to Make the Best Soft and Chewy M&M’S Cookies

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to keep cookies from sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside—you’ll mix it into the wet ingredients later.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key for that soft, chewy texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Don’t overmix—this can make the cookies tough.

Step 6: Fold in M&M’S

Gently fold in the M&M’S and chocolate chips, if using. Save a handful to press onto the tops of the dough balls before baking for that picture-perfect finish.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Scoop out cookie dough balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and place them 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look a bit soft.

Step 8: Cool

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set up perfectly without overbaking.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overbake: The cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out—they’ll finish setting as they cool.
• Reserve Some M&M’S: Pressing extra candies on top before baking gives a bakery-style look and ensures even distribution.
• Use Room-Temperature Butter: Cold butter won’t cream properly and melted butter can make the dough too greasy.
• Chill the Dough (Optional): If you have time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes can enhance flavor and reduce spreading.

How to Serve

These cookies are fabulous straight from the oven with a cold glass of milk. They also pair beautifully with:

• Hot coffee or espresso: The bitterness of coffee balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Ice cream: Sandwich two cookies around a scoop of vanilla or chocolate for an indulgent dessert.
• Party platters: Arrange on a cookie tray with other treats for birthdays or celebrations.
• Lunchbox treat: These cookies hold up well and make lunchtime feel special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to keep them soft longer.

Freezing

Freeze baked cookies in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls—just bake straight from frozen and add a minute or two to the time.

Reheating

Warm cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds to bring back that just-baked softness.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without a mixer?
Yes! You can absolutely make these by hand using a sturdy spoon or spatula. Just make sure the butter is soft enough to cream with the sugars.

Why are my cookies flat?
This can happen if the butter is too warm or melted. Try chilling the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking next time.

Can I use mini M&M’S instead of regular?
Definitely! Mini M&M’S work great and give you more even distribution of chocolate in each bite.

How do I make the cookies extra chewy?
Use more brown sugar than white sugar, don’t overbake, and make sure you’re using real butter—not margarine.

Final Thoughts

These Soft and Chewy M&M’S Cookies are pure joy in cookie form—easy, fun, and packed with nostalgic charm. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with others, these cookies are bound to bring smiles. Give them a try, and don’t be surprised if they vanish in minutes!

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