The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe: Easy, Fun, and Irresistibly Delicious
Get ready to delight your taste buds with the ultimate treat: these incredibly Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies! This recipe delivers perfect cookies every time – soft and chewy on the inside with slightly crisp edges, packed with gooey chocolate chips and a delightful crunch from colorful M&Ms. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this easy-to-follow guide will help you create a batch of homemade cookies that are truly irresistible. If you’ve been searching for a fun and festive twist on classic chocolate chip cookies, your quest ends here!
These M&M chocolate chip cookies are not just a delicious dessert; they’re also incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt them to suit any occasion, from a casual family snack to a festive holiday gathering. Imagine making vibrant Christmas chocolate chip M&M cookies with red and green candies, or delightful mini M&M cookies perfect for tiny hands and quick bites. Let’s dive into all the secrets to baking these crowd-pleasing cookies!
*This post contains affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for details*.
For all you cookie enthusiasts out there, you’ve stumbled upon a real gem! Once you master these incredible chocolate chip cookies with M&Ms, don’t stop there. Be sure to explore some of my other favorite cookie creations, like my Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar for a classic with a twist, my aromatic Coffee Cookies, and the delightfully fruity Raspberry White Chocolate Cookies!
Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies with M&Ms: A Perfect Blend of Flavors and Textures
If you’re on the hunt for the absolute best Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies recipe, consider your search over! These aren’t just any cookies; they are a masterpiece of soft, chewy centers and perfectly crisp edges, generously studded with melted, gooey chocolate chips and bright, crunchy M&Ms in every single bite. This straightforward and easy recipe is perfect for anyone yearning for delicious homemade cookies that offer that extra layer of texture and sweetness only M&Ms can provide. If you’re a fan of my M&M Rice Krispie Treats, you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with these cookies!
Continue reading to uncover all the essential tricks and tips needed to ensure your cookies are a resounding success every single time. We’ll cover everything from ingredient selection to expert baking techniques. Plus, you’ll find simple variations to customize your batch and practical advice for storage and freezing, allowing you to savor your favorite Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies whenever a craving strikes.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Why You’ll Adore These Chewy Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
These M&M chocolate chip cookies aren’t just another cookie recipe; they’re a delightful experience waiting to happen! Here’s why you’ll absolutely love baking and enjoying them:
- Unbeatable Soft & Chewy Texture – Our recipe is meticulously crafted to deliver cookies that are wonderfully soft and tender in the center, gradually giving way to delightfully crisp, golden-brown edges. This perfect contrast in texture is achieved through a careful balance of ingredients, including melted butter for chewiness and a touch of cornstarch to keep them incredibly tender. Every bite is a harmonious blend of pillowy softness and a satisfying slight crispness.
- Generously Loaded with Double the Chocolate Fun – Prepare for a true chocolate lover’s dream! You get the best of both worlds with a generous helping of both mini chocolate chips and vibrant M&M candies. The chocolate chips melt into luscious pockets of rich, warm chocolate, while the M&Ms add a fantastic pop of color and a satisfying candy crunch. This dual chocolate experience creates the ultimate cookie sensation that’s far beyond your average chocolate chip cookie. And for more decadent chocolatey treats, don’t miss my Pinecone Brownie Recipe or my adorable Valentine’s Day Cake Pops!
- Versatile Perfection for Any Occasion – No matter the event, these M&M cookies are an ideal choice. They’re fantastic for a cozy family movie night, an impressive addition to any party spread, a thoughtful homemade gift, or simply a treat “just because.” Their vibrant appearance and universally loved flavor profile make them one of the best chocolate chip cookie recipes out there, guaranteed to bring smiles wherever they go.
Can You Use M&M’s Exclusively Instead of Chocolate Chips in Cookies?
Absolutely, you can certainly opt to use only M&Ms in your cookies, transforming them into pure M&M cookies! Swapping out chocolate chips for M&M’s introduces an exciting pop of vibrant color and a delightful, satisfying crunch, making your cookies even more engaging and fun to eat. The candy shell of M&Ms provides a unique textural element that sets them apart from traditional chocolate chips.
However, it’s important to note a key difference: M&M’s do not melt in the same way that chocolate chips do. While the chocolate inside an M&M will soften and become deliciously gooey, their candy coating largely helps them retain their shape during baking. This means you won’t get those classic, intensely gooey and melty chocolate pockets that are characteristic of traditional chocolate chip cookies. If that molten chocolate experience is what you’re truly after, you might want to try my Chocolate Chip and Marshmallow Cookies for an extra gooey treat!
For what we consider the optimal texture and flavor balance in these M&M chocolate chip cookies, we embrace a delightful combination of both M&M’s and chocolate chips. This thoughtful blend ensures you get the best of both worlds: the colorful, slightly crunchy burst from the M&M’s, alongside the classic, melt-in-your-mouth experience of semi-sweet chocolate chips. This harmonious pairing creates a cookie that’s both visually appealing and incredibly satisfying, especially when enjoyed with a tall, cold glass of milk!
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
This M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe is designed for ease, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels, even those just starting their baking journey. Every ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the soft, chewy texture and rich flavor profile we’re aiming for. You’ll find the full, precise measurements in the recipe card below, but here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather:
- Light Brown Sugar: This is a cornerstone ingredient for its deep, molasses-rich flavor and its ability to keep cookies wonderfully moist and chewy. Unlike granulated sugar, brown sugar introduces a subtle caramel note and helps retain moisture, contributing significantly to the desired soft texture of our M&M cookies. I recommend light brown sugar for the perfect balance.
- Unsalted Butter: We’ll be using melted unsalted butter in this recipe. Melting the butter before mixing helps to create a denser, chewier cookie by preventing too much air from being incorporated into the dough. This results in those delightfully thick and chewy cookies everyone loves. For an even richer, nuttier flavor, you can try using browned butter – check out my What is Browned Butter? post for a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this!
- Large Eggs: For optimal results, ensure your eggs are at room temperature. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the other ingredients, leading to a smoother, more uniform dough and a superior final texture in your cookies. If your eggs are cold, simply submerge them in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 15 minutes before cracking them.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is not just a flavor; it’s an enhancer that brings out the best in all the other ingredients, adding warmth and depth. For the most exquisite flavor, I highly recommend using pure vanilla extract. Feeling ambitious? You can even make your own for an unparalleled aroma and taste!
- All-Purpose Flour: Accurate measurement of flour is crucial for cookie success. Too much flour can lead to dry, crumbly cookies, while too little can make them spread too much. To ensure you add the perfect amount, always measure your all-purpose flour by weight using a reliable kitchen scale.
- Cornstarch: This is my secret weapon for achieving that coveted soft center with perfectly crispy edges! A small amount of cornstarch works wonders, making the cookies tender and preventing them from becoming too firm or cake-like. It’s a game-changer for texture.
- Baking Soda: As a primary leavening agent, baking soda reacts with the acidic brown sugar to create carbon dioxide gas, which helps the cookies rise slightly and contributes to their light, tender texture. It ensures our chocolate chip cookies with M&Ms are perfectly puffy and not flat.
- Salt: Don’t underestimate the power of salt in sweet baking! It’s essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the incredible flavors in the cookie dough, making every ingredient shine.
- Semisweet Mini Chocolate Chips: I prefer mini semi-sweet chocolate chips because their smaller size means you get a glorious burst of gooey, melted chocolate in virtually every bite. They distribute beautifully throughout the dough, ensuring a consistent chocolate experience. And for fellow chocolate aficionados, you’ll also adore my Hot Chocolate Mug Cake!
- M&M Chocolate Candies: The undeniable stars of this show! These colorful candy-coated chocolates add a unique crunch, a delightful burst of color, and that unmistakable M&M chocolate flavor. You can use standard M&Ms, or get creative with holiday-themed colors like Halloween (orange, black, purple) or Christmas (red and green) to make your M&M cookies extra festive. Remember to set aside a few extra M&Ms to press onto the tops of your cookie dough balls before baking for that perfect bakery-style finish!
Recommended Equipment for Baking Your Best M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
Having the right tools can make all the difference in achieving perfect, chewy M&M chocolate chip cookies every time. While you don’t need a professional kitchen, these few items will significantly enhance your baking experience and results:
- Digital Kitchen Scale: To guarantee the ideal chewy, gooey texture, precise flour measurement is critical. A kitchen scale allows you to measure your flour by weight, eliminating common inaccuracies that can occur when measuring by volume (cups). This ensures consistency and prevents your cookies from turning out dry or dense.
- Oven Thermometer: Ovens can often run hotter or colder than their display indicates. An oven thermometer helps you verify and correct any temperature discrepancies, ensuring your cookies bake evenly and perfectly, preventing over- or under-baking.
- Cookie Scoop: For consistently sized, beautifully shaped cookies, a cookie scoop is invaluable. I personally use a #20 cookie scoop, which holds approximately 3 tablespoons of dough, resulting in deliciously large and thick cookies. If you prefer slightly smaller cookies, a #30 scoop works well – just be sure to adjust your baking time by checking them a few minutes earlier.
- Large Baking Sheet: Space is important for proper air circulation around your cookies, promoting even baking. I recommend the spacious Nordicware Baker’s Big Sheet.
- Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper: To prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup, always line your baking sheets. A reusable Silpat ¾ sheet liner or quality parchment paper provides a non-stick surface and helps distribute heat evenly.
- Rubber Spatula: A sturdy rubber spatula is essential for gently folding in your dry ingredients and scraping down the sides of your large mixing bowl, ensuring all components are thoroughly combined without over-mixing the dough.
- Wire Cooling Rack: Once baked, transferring your cookies to a wire rack allows air to circulate around them, preventing the bottoms from getting soggy and helping them cool more quickly and evenly, retaining their perfect texture.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Irresistible M&M Cookies
Making these delicious chocolate chip and M&M cookies is a fun and straightforward process. The comprehensive recipe card below provides detailed step-by-step instructions, exact ingredient measurements, and even a helpful recipe video to guide you through each stage. But for a quick overview, here’s a glimpse into how you’ll bring this delightful M&M cookie recipe to life:
Step 1: Combine Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the melted brown sugar and butter until the mixture is well combined and smooth. This creates a rich, creamy base that’s crucial for the cookies’ chewy texture.
Step 2: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla. Add the room temperature eggs to the sugar-butter mixture, whisking until fully incorporated. Follow with the pure vanilla extract, mixing again until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. Ensure no streaks of egg remain.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients. Gently sift your all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt directly into your wet ingredient mixture. Sifting helps prevent lumps and aerates the dry ingredients for a better cookie texture.
Step 4: Form the Dough. Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix just until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough cookies.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolates and Candies. Add the mini chocolate chips and M&M candies to the dough. Gently fold them in until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Again, avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie texture and prevent the M&M colors from bleeding.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake. Use your cookie scoop to portion out uniform balls of cookie dough onto a prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. For an extra pop of color and a bakery-style look, gently press a few additional M&M candies onto the tops of the cookie dough balls before baking. Then, pop them into your preheated oven!
Hint: One of the best features of this M&M cookie dough is that no chill time is required, meaning you can enjoy fresh-baked cookies sooner! However, if you have a moment while your oven preheats, you can certainly place the baking sheet with the scooped cookie dough balls into the fridge for about 10-15 minutes. A slight chill can help prevent spreading and promote a thicker, chewier cookie.
Festive Christmas Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies and Holiday Variations
One of the absolute best aspects of this M&M cookie recipe is its incredible adaptability, allowing you to customize them for any celebration or season! It’s a fantastic canvas for your creative baking ideas. My personal favorite way to personalize them is by transforming them into cheerful Christmas chocolate chip M&M cookies. Simply swap out regular M&Ms for festive red and green M&Ms, and instantly you have a holiday-themed treat that’s perfect for cookie exchanges, Santa’s plate, or spreading holiday cheer!
But why stop at Christmas? This is an amazing base recipe to celebrate virtually any holiday throughout the year! Imagine the fun you could have:
- For Halloween, use spooky black, orange, and purple Halloween M&M’s to create a ghoulishly good treat.
- Brighten up Easter with pastel-colored Easter M&M’s, perfect for spring gatherings.
- Show your love on Valentine’s Day with pink, red, and white M&M’s.
- Celebrate the 4th of July with patriotic red, white, and blue Independence Day M&M candies.
The possibilities are endless, making these M&M cookies a year-round favorite for adding a special touch to your celebrations!
Creating Delightful Mini M&M Cookies
Looking for a bite-sized version of these irresistible treats? You can absolutely adapt this to be a mini M&M cookie recipe! By simply using mini M&M candies instead of the regular size, you’ll achieve a slightly different but equally delightful experience. The mini M&M candies will add an even more consistent texture and crunch throughout each cookie, ensuring every single bite is packed with lots of vibrant chocolatey goodness. This is especially fun for smaller hands or for when you want a lighter, yet still satisfying, sweet indulgence. Remember to adjust your baking time slightly if you also choose to make smaller cookie dough balls!
Storage and Freezing Tips for Your M&M Cookies
Ensuring your delicious M&M cookies stay fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible is key! Here’s how to properly store and even freeze your batch:
- Room Temperature Storage: Once completely cooled, these M&M cookies will keep beautifully at room temperature. Simply place them in an airtight container, and they’ll remain soft, chewy, and flavorful for up to 3 days. To maintain their best texture, you can even place a slice of bread in the container with them – the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, keeping them soft!
- Freezing Baked Cookies: If you’ve baked a large batch or want to save some for later, these cookies freeze exceptionally well. Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer bag or a freezer-safe airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
- Reheating Frozen Cookies: To enjoy frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two. For that “just-baked” warmth, you can pop them into a preheated oven (around 275°F/135°C) for 5-7 minutes, or microwave for 10-15 seconds until warm and slightly gooey.
Frequently Asked Questions About M&M Cookies
You absolutely can and should bake with regular M&M’s! They are perfectly suited for baking because their hard candy shell helps them maintain their appealing shape even as the chocolate inside softens and becomes deliciously melty. This unique characteristic means you get a satisfying, slightly crunchy exterior with a soft, warm chocolate center, adding both visual appeal and a delightful textural contrast to your cookies. It’s truly a win-win!
The magic behind M&M’s retaining their shape in cookies lies in their distinctive candy shell. This shell acts as a protective barrier, preventing the chocolate from fully melting and spreading like traditional chocolate chips. While the chocolate center of the M&M does get wonderfully soft and gooey from the oven’s heat, the outer coating ensures they keep their iconic round form. This makes M&M cookies an excellent way to use up leftover M&M chocolate candies, adding plenty of crunchy texture and a burst of chocolate flavor without losing their integrity!
Preventing M&M colors from bleeding into your cookie dough is easier than you think with a few simple tricks!
First, ensure you add your M&Ms as the very last ingredient, right before you begin scooping your cookies. This minimizes their contact time with the dough and prevents the colors from “rubbing off.”
Second, when incorporating them, fold them into the dough very gently using a rubber spatula. Avoid vigorous mixing or over-mixing, as excessive agitation can cause the candy coating to break down and release its dye into the dough.
Finally, my ultimate secret for bakery-quality, vibrant M&M cookies is a two-part approach:
- Gently press a few extra M&Ms onto the tops of each scooped dough ball just before they go into the oven. These M&Ms will be exposed and retain their color beautifully.
- As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, while they are still warm and pliable, immediately press a few more M&Ms onto their surface. This creates that perfectly studded, appealing look, making them truly the best M&M cookies you’ll ever bake!
Top Baking Tip for Perfect Chewy Cookies
For the ultimate cookie experience with an ideal soft, chewy texture and just the right amount of crispness around the edges, remember this crucial tip: do not overbake your cookies! It’s far better to slightly underbake them than to leave them in for too long. When you remove them from the oven, they should still look slightly underdone and soft in the very center, with only the edges beginning to turn a delicate golden brown. The residual heat from the baking sheet will continue to cook them as they cool, leading to that perfect balance. Keep a close eye on your oven and the suggested bake time!
More Delightful Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this recipe and are looking for other equally satisfying baked goods and desserts, be sure to try these fantastic recipes from my collection:
- Sour Cream Pumpkin Bread with Maple Brown Butter Glaze
- Pecan Pie Tart
- Chocolate Orange Cake
- Pie Crust Cookie Twists
Perfect Pairings for Your Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
While these cookies are a fantastic standalone treat, they also pair wonderfully with a variety of comforting dishes. Here are some of my favorite recipes that complement the sweetness and fun of M&M cookies, creating a delightful meal or snack combination:
- Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer
- Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit
- Baked Goat Cheese Pasta
- Ricotta Lemon Pasta
If you try this recipe, I would absolutely love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! Your feedback is so wonderful to hear and incredibly helpful to me and other bakers. And please don’t forget to share your delicious creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe: The Ultimate Chewy Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
Best Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe – Easy & Chewy
Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Save RecipeSaved!
Equipment you may need
-
baking sheet
-
silicone baking mat
-
parchment paper
-
#20 cookie scoop
-
mixing bowls
-
rubber spatula
-
whisk
-
food scale
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup (330 g) light brown sugar
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter – melted
- 2 large eggs – room temperature
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 2 ⅔ cups (333 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoon (20 ml) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda
- 1 ¼ teaspoon (6 ml) salt
- 1 cup (237 g) mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (208 g) M&M chocolate candies
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with either a silicone liner or parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
-
In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the melted unsalted butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is completely combined and smooth. This step ensures a chewy base. Next, add the room temperature eggs, whisking until fully incorporated. Finally, pour in the pure vanilla extract and whisk again until the mixture is light, fluffy, and free of any egg streaks.1 cup unsalted butter, 1 ½ cup light brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
-
Sift in the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt directly over the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the mixture together until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour, 4 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
-
Add the mini chocolate chips and M&M candies to the dough. Using your spatula, gently fold them in until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Avoid overmixing to prevent the M&M colors from bleeding.1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup M&M chocolate candies
-
Scoop uniform cookie dough balls using your #20 cookie scoop (or desired size) and place them 2 inches apart on your prepared cookie sheet. For a picture-perfect finish, gently press a few additional M&Ms onto the tops of each cookie dough ball before baking.
-
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft and not fully set. This ensures a wonderfully chewy interior. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Then, enjoy your perfectly baked M&M chocolate chip cookies!
Video Guide
Chef’s Notes & Tips
Top Tip for Perfect Texture: Prevent Overbaking! The secret to soft, chewy M&M chocolate chip cookies with just the right crispness around the edges is to avoid overbaking. When you remove them from the oven, the centers should still appear soft and not entirely set, and the edges should just be starting to turn a light golden brown. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, achieving that ideal, irresistible texture.
Storage Solutions: These delightful M&M cookies store well at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container, and they will remain fresh for up to 3 days. For longer enjoyment, baked cookies can be frozen in a freezer bag or an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Customizing for Christmas & Holidays: The versatility of this M&M cookie recipe is truly a highlight! To create charming Christmas chocolate chip M&M cookies, simply use festive red and green M&Ms. This simple swap instantly makes them perfect for holiday celebrations, gift-giving, or simply adding a festive touch to your baking.
You can apply this same principle to any holiday throughout the year! Get creative with themed M&Ms: consider Halloween M&Ms, pastel Easter M&Ms, or patriotic 4th of July M&M candies to match the celebratory spirit!
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Disclaimer
