Christmas M&M Cookies 🎄🍪 (2024)

Christmas M&M cookies are a holiday classic. Loaded inside and out with red and green M&M’s, they make a perfect addition to your cookie exchange!

This Christmas M&M cookie recipe is a favorite in our house. Make them mini (as pictured), traditional cookie size, or giant cookies! Enjoy after a yummy holiday meal of prime rib and homemade egg noodles.

M&M Christmas Cookies

M&M Christmas Cookie Ingredients

• Butter – Unsalted, softened.
• Sugar – Light brown and white granulated.
• Egg – Large.
• Vanilla – Real vanilla extract.
• Flour – All purpose flour.
• Salt – Skip this if you use salted butter.
• Baking powder – For leavening. Make sure you use baking powder and not baking soda.
• Add-ins – Red and green M&M’s (we used mini M&M’s), holiday mini chips, holiday sprinkles.

How do you make Christmas M&M Cookies? (step-by-step)

⭐ First, in a large bowl cream together the butter and both sugars until fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Add in the flour, baking powder and salt, and mix until just combined.

⭐ Next, stir half your add-ins into the dough. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop and roll 36 equal sized dough balls. Press remaining add-ins into the outside of the dough balls. Chill.

⭐ Then, bake cookies until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove from oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet.

⭐ Finally, remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Preparation

What kind of M&M’s for Christmas M&M cookies?

We used the mini M&M’s but full size would also work! You can also skip the holiday mini chips (sometimes they’re hard to find) and use more M&M’s.

How many cookies does this recipe make?

You can make 36 mini cookies, 12 traditionally sized cookies, or 6 giant cookies (like our sprinkle cookies) with this recipe.

Can you prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can get these ready to bake a day ahead and just pop them in the oven when you want fresh cookies!

Leftovers and storage

How long do M&M Christmas cookies last?

These will keep at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 5 days and as long as a week in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze M&M Christmas cookies?

To freeze before baking

Place prepared dough balls on your baking sheet and place in the freezer. When dough is frozen solid, transfer it to an air tight freezer safe container.

Bake from frozen by adding a few minutes to the cook time.

To freeze after baking

Allow cookies to cool completely then store in an air tight freezer safe container, separating layers with parchment or freezer paper. Thaw at room temperature.

Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions

🎄 Try making these as giant cookies like our chocolate chip covered cookies. This recipe will also make 6 huge M&M Christmas cookies!

🕎 Use blue M&M’s and white sprinkles for a beautiful Hanukkah cookie recipe.

🎄 Double the recipe and freeze half the dough for easy fresh cookies when you have surprise guests!

What to eat with M&M Christmas cookies (serving suggestions)

These cute red and green treats are perfect after a holiday meal of apricot glazed ham, mashed butternut squash, pumpkin biscuits, and air fryer roasted brussels sprouts.

More fun Christmas recipes

• Christmas tree cookies
• Christmas tree cupcakes
• Grinch brownies
• Rice Krispies coal treats
• Reindeer cookie cake

Other delicious cookies you’ll love

• Chocolate peppermint cookies
• Pumpkin crinkle cookies
• Chocolate shortbread cookies
• Red velvet cake mix cookies
• Classic chocolate chip cookies
• See all oureasy cookie recipes!

Try these desserts with M&M’s next

• Monster cookies
• Ice box cake
• Monster cookie bars
• White chocolate and peppermint cupcakes

Tools we love

• Bakers half sheet– It’s cool, we only have about six of these bakers half sheets because they’re good for absolutely everything!
• Silicone baking mats– Nothing sticks to these! Whaaaa?! Like magic.
• Electric mixer – My daily work horse is this handheld electric mixer!

How to Make M&M Christmas Cookies