Bacon Mac & Cheese
Make rich, creamy Bacon Mac & Cheese with crispy bacon, a silky cheese sauce, and easy tips for baki...
22
total time
24
servings
150 kcal
calories
Introduction
Celebrate the holidays with a batch of warm, colorful M&M Christmas Cookiesâsoft-centered, slightly crisp at the edges, and studded with festive red and green M&Ms for a cheerful treat everyone will love. This recipe keeps things simple: classic cookie dough made with butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and a touch of baking soda to give a light rise. The secret to that tender chew is a balance of white and brown sugar and not overbaking. These cookies are ideal for cookie exchanges, school parties, or a cozy night in with cocoa. They hold up well for decorating, gifting, or stacking in cookie tins. This article gives clear, tested instructions, plus tips for achieving consistent size and color retention for the M&Ms. Whether youâre an experienced baker or someone making cookies for the first time, youâll find practical guidance on ingredient substitutions, allergy-friendly swaps, and ways to scale the recipe for larger crowds. We also cover storage methods to keep cookies fresh for days, freezing instructions for make-ahead convenience, and creative serving ideas that make the cookies feel extra special at your holiday table. Read on for ingredients, equipment, step-by-step mixing and baking instructions, troubleshooting frequently asked questions, and festive variations to personalize these M&M Christmas Cookies. By the end, youâll be ready to bake a perfect batch that looks as joyful as it tastes.
Holiday Appeal & Flavor Profile
M&M Christmas Cookies pair familiar chocolate candies with a classic buttery cookie base, creating a textural contrast between a tender interior and a faintly crisp edge. The flavor profile is approachable: sweet with gentle caramel notes from brown sugar, warm vanilla, and a rich chocolate pop from the M&Ms. Red and green candies add a festive colorway without changing the overall taste, which is why these cookies are so widely loved across ages. Their visual appeal makes them a natural centerpiece for holiday dessert trays or a playful treat for family baking days. From a baking science perspective, the ratio of white to brown sugar influences chewiness; brown sugar contributes moisture and chew, while white sugar helps the cookies spread and crisp slightly. Butter temperature also matters: softened butter creams with sugar to trap air, which helps leavening agents create lift; however, melted butter yields chewier cookies with less rise. We recommend room-temperature butter for a balanced texture unless you deliberately want chewier results. This section explores taste variationsâlike swapping plain M&Ms for peanut M&Ms, or stirring in a handful of mini chocolate chipsâand how each change alters texture and sweetness. It also suggests complementary flavors (a pinch of cinnamon, orange zest, or a touch of sea salt) to elevate the cookie while keeping the festive spirit intact. Read on for exact measurements, mixing instructions, and tips to keep M&Ms colorful and intact during baking.
Gathering Ingredients
Before you begin, assemble all ingredients and measure them accurately. This reduces stress and speeds the process, especially when baking multiple batches for holiday gatherings. For a standard 24-cookie batch youâll need: 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter softened, 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar, 1/2 cup (110g) packed brown sugar, 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 to 1 1/2 cups of red and green M&Ms (or about 180â225g). If you plan to add extras like mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or orange zest, measure those ahead as well. Using a digital scale ensures more consistent results than volume measures. For holiday color, pick seasonal M&Ms or separate the plain ones and add red and green candies by hand. If you need a nut-free option for school events, choose nut-free M&Ms and omit any nuts or swap with toasted sunflower seeds for crunch. Consider high-quality unsalted butter for better flavor control; if only salted butter is available, reduce added salt by half to avoid oversalting. Room-temperature butter blends more efficiently with sugarâleave it on the counter for 30 to 60 minutes before creaming. Having ingredients prepped in small bowls (mise en place) helps when following timed steps. Place baking sheets, parchment paper, and cooling racks within reach before starting. With everything measured and set, the actual mixing, shaping, and baking will feel smooth and repeatable, producing consistent cookies every time.
Equipment & Setup
Having the right equipment and a tidy workspace makes baking holiday cookies faster and more consistent. For M&M Christmas Cookies, gather a stand mixer or hand mixer, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a digital scale (recommended), rubber spatula, cookie scoop (1.5 tablespoons or 30 ml for medium cookies), sheet pans, parchment paper or silicone baking mats, and cooling racks. A flat-edged bench scraper or offset spatula helps to portion or move dough if it gets sticky. If you prefer perfectly uniform cookies for gifts, a kitchen scale lets you weigh each portion for identical results. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and to allow even browning. Avoid dark, nonstick pans when possible; they brown cookies faster and can lead to overbaked bottoms. If you only have dark pans, lower the oven temperature by 10â15°F (5â10°C) and watch the first batch closely to adjust time. Preheat your oven fully before baking; an oven thermometer can verify it reaches and holds the correct temperature. Keep a clean tray for finished cookies so they donât sit on a hot pan and continue baking after removal from the oven. If youâre baking many batches, rotate pans between racks midway through the bake to promote even color and texture. Finally, set out cooling racks in advanceâcookies reach ideal texture as they cool and rest, so patience yields the best chew and crisp edge.
Step-by-Step Mixing & Shaping
Follow precise mixing steps to develop the desired cookie texture. Start by creaming softened unsalted butter with both granulated and packed brown sugar until pale and fluffyâabout 2 to 4 minutes using a stand mixer on medium speed or slightly longer with a hand mixer. Scrape the bowl to ensure even mixing. Add the egg and extra yolk one at a time, mixing until each is incorporated, then add vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender. Fold in the M&Ms gently with a spatula; if you mix too vigorously the candies can crush and release color. Reserve a handful of M&Ms to press on top of each cookie dough ball before baking for a polished look. Use a cookie scoop or kitchen scale to portion the doughâuniform sizes bake evenly. On a parchment-lined sheet, space scooped dough about 2 inches (5 cm) apart to allow for spreading. For thicker cookies, chill scoops of dough on the sheet for 15â30 minutes before baking; for thinner, spread cookies slightly before baking or bake at a slightly higher temperature for a shorter time. If you want extra glossy candies on top, place the reserved M&Ms on warm cookies immediately after they come out of the oven; gentle pressing helps them adhere without melting for a neat presentation.
Baking Process
Proper baking is where cookies transform from dough to delightful treats. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) unless otherwise adjusted for dark pans. Place the parchment-lined sheet with evenly spaced scoops in the center of the oven. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes depending on cookie size and oven performance; smaller cookies may finish closer to 9 minutes, while larger or chilled dough may take 11â12 minutes. Look for edges that are set and lightly golden while the center remains slightly softâcarryover baking on the hot sheet tightens the centers as cookies cool. Rotate pans halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots. Avoid opening the oven door frequently, which drops temperature and can affect rise and texture. If the tops brown too quickly, lower oven temperature by 10°F (5°C) and increase baking time slightly to allow an even bake. After removing cookies from the oven, allow them to sit on the warm baking sheet for 2 to 4 minutes; this period lets the structure set so cookies move cleanly to cooling racks without breaking. If you pressed reserved M&Ms on top prior to baking, they should remain colorful; if not, press them on immediately after baking for best appearance. For large batches, cool sheets between uses to avoid placing new dough on a hot tray, which can change spread. Keeping oven racks centered and avoiding overcrowding help cookies bake evenly and release consistently from the parchment.
Decorating Tips & Variations
Decorating M&M Christmas Cookies is where you can add personality and seasonal flair. For a simple finish, press a few extra red and green M&Ms on top of each warm cookie immediately after baking; theyâll adhere and create a polished, colorful surface. If you prefer more decoration, pipe small dots or swirls of royal icing or a simple powdered sugar glaze across the cooled cookies and add sprinkles before the icing sets. To create holiday shapes or patterns, use colored icing to draw stripes, stars, or tiny wreaths around the candies. Consider flavor variations that keep the cookies familiar while changing depth. Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the dough for a bright citrus lift that pairs beautifully with chocolate. Stir in a half cup of mini chocolate chips with the M&Ms for double chocolate texture. To make the cookies chewier, replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cornstarch and slightly increase the brown sugar by 1â2 tablespoons. For a nutty twist, fold in finely chopped toasted pecans or walnutsâserve these separately if any guests have nut allergies. If baking with kids, set up a decorating station with pre-portioned candies and icings so little hands can customize their own cookies. For gifting, layer cookies in a clear cello bag with parchment separators and tie with ribbon, or arrange them in a decorative tin with tissue paper for a traditional presentation.
Final Presentation & Serving
Final presentation turns homemade cookies into memorable holiday treats. Arrange cooled M&M Christmas Cookies on a large platter or tiered stand, alternating colors and spacing to create visual interest. For a rustic display, place cookies on a wooden cutting board with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine and scattered M&Ms for color. For an elegant look, use a white or metallic platter and tuck small folded doilies under stacks of cookies to create a layered effect. If serving at a party, label cookies with a small card noting ingredients and potential allergens. Consider pairing beverages that complement the cookie: classic hot chocolate or coffee balances sweetness, while a lightly spiced chai or mulled cider adds seasonal warmth. For a kid-friendly station, offer small cups of milk alongside plates of cookies and paper napkins. If you plan to gift cookies, cool them completely and then stack with parchment paper between layers in a decorative tin. Tie the tin with ribbon and add a festive tag. For longer storage during holiday travel, pack cookies snugly but with a layer of padding to prevent crushing. When serving, keep texture in mind: recently baked cookies are best within the first 48 hours, while properly stored cookies maintain acceptable texture for up to 5 days. If presents or travel require longer keep times, freeze cookies in an airtight container and defrost at room temperature for about one hour before serving to regain tenderness and flavor.
M&M Christmas Cookies
Easy M&M Christmas Cookies: soft, chewy holiday cookies studded with red and green M&Ms. Includes ingredient tips, baking steps, decorating ideas, and storage.
total time
22
servings
24
calories
150 kcal
ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour đŸ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda đ„
- 1/2 teaspoon salt đ§
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened đ§
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar đ
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar đŻ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract đŠ
- 2 large eggs đ„
- 1 1/2 cups M&M's (red & green for Christmas) đŹ
instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Gently fold in most of the M&M's, saving some to press on top of each cookie for a festive look.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Press the reserved M&M's on top of each cookie dough ball for a colorful finish.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown but the centers remain soft.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy these soft, chewy M&M Christmas cookies as a delightful holiday treat!
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