Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe

Quick & Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe: A Sweet Treat

Crafting delightful soft chocolate m&m cookies can transport you straight to childhood memories of sweet indulgence.

Sweet morsels of colorful candy nestled within rich chocolate dough create an irresistible treat.

Chocolate lovers will absolutely adore this simple yet magical recipe.

Homemade cookies always feel like a warm hug from the kitchen.

Each bite promises a perfect balance between chewy texture and intense chocolate flavor.

Mixing these ingredients becomes an effortless journey into delectable happiness.

Come explore this delicious adventure that guarantees smiles with every crisp, soft cookie.

Why Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies Are So Fun And Colorful

  • Kiddo-Approved Treat: Colorful M&M candies make these cookies a guaranteed hit with children, transforming an ordinary dessert into a fun and exciting snack that sparks joy and brings smiles.
  • Stress-Free Preparation: Minimal ingredients and straightforward mixing technique ensure even baking novices can successfully create these delectable chocolate cookies without complicated steps or specialized skills.
  • Customizable Chocolate Indulgence: Easily adjust candy colors for seasonal celebrations or personal preferences, making these cookies perfect for birthday parties, school events, or spontaneous sweet cravings.

Ingredients List For Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental base that provides structure and texture to the cookies.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cookie dough.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the cookies.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides richness, moisture, and contributes to the cookie's tender crumb.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create sweetness and help with cookie caramelization and softness.
  • Eggs: Act as a binding agent and contribute to the cookie's structure and moisture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the cookie's flavor profile.
Mix-Ins:
  • Chocolate Chips, M&M Candies: Add extra chocolate flavor, color, and delightful texture to the soft chocolate cookies.

How To Make Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies At Home

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Heat your oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even browning of your cookies.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, combine:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Whisk these ingredients together until well blended and free of lumps.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat together:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar

Whip until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and transforms into a pale, creamy texture.

Step 4: Add Moisture and Flavor

Crack eggs into the butter-sugar mixture one at a time. Mix thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and blend until smooth and consistent.

Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Slowly fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix gently until a rich chocolate dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender.

Step 6: Incorporate Chocolate Chips

Gently fold chocolate chips into the dough, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout.

Step 7: Add Colorful M&Ms

Carefully mix in M&M candies. Stir minimally to prevent color bleeding and maintain the candies’ vibrant appearance.

Step 8: Shape Cookie Dough

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Space cookies about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Step 9: Decorate Cookies

Press additional M&M candies on top of each cookie dough mound. This adds visual appeal and concentrates more candy goodness.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Place cookies in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges look set but the centers remain slightly soft and gooey.

Step 11: Cool and Enjoy

Remove cookies from the oven. Let them rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your delicious homemade chocolate M&M cookies!

Helpful Tips For Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies

  • Select High-Quality Ingredients: Choose premium cocoa powder and fresh M&M candies to enhance the cookie's rich chocolate flavor and colorful appearance.
  • Prevent Color Bleeding: Minimize stirring when adding M&Ms to maintain their vibrant colors and prevent color transfer into the dough.
  • Master Precise Baking Time: Watch cookies closely during the 10-12 minute baking window, removing them when edges are set but centers remain soft for ultimate chewiness.
  • Chill Dough for Intense Flavor: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to intensify chocolate notes and prevent excessive spreading.
  • Store Smartly for Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain texture.

Tasty Mix-Ins For Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies

  • Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Replace M&Ms with chopped pecans or walnuts for a rich, toasted flavor and added texture.
  • Salted Caramel Chocolate: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over cooled cookies and sprinkle sea salt flakes for a sophisticated sweet-salty profile.
  • Peppermint Chocolate Blast: Mix crushed candy canes into the dough and top with mint chocolate chips for a festive winter-inspired cookie.
  • White Chocolate Raspberry: Swap standard chocolate chips with white chocolate chips and fold in dried raspberry pieces for a fruity, creamy combination.

Best Matches For Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies

  • Pair Chocolate Milk for Nostalgic Comfort: Classic chocolate milk perfectly complements these soft chocolate M&M cookies, echoing the rich cocoa flavors and creating a childhood-inspired treat that feels warm and comforting.
  • Serve Cold Vanilla Almond Milk for Balanced Sweetness: Creamy vanilla almond milk provides a smooth, light counterpoint to the dense chocolate cookies, cutting through the richness while adding a subtle nutty undertone.
  • Match with Espresso for Sophisticated Contrast: A shot of bold espresso creates an elegant flavor pairing, with its intense coffee notes dramatically enhancing the sweet chocolate and colorful M&M elements of the cookies.

Keeping Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies Fresh And Chewy

  • Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and soft texture.
  • Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, storing for up to 3 months for long-term enjoyment.
  • Store completely cooled cookies in a sealed container at room temperature, keeping them away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve their soft, chewy consistency for 3-4 days.
  • Add a slice of bread to the storage container to help maintain moisture and prevent cookies from becoming dry or crisp during short-term storage.

Quick Answers For Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies

  • Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to prevent oversalting the cookies.

  • Why do I need to sift the dry ingredients?

Sifting breaks up lumps, ensures even distribution of cocoa and flour, and helps create a smoother, more consistent cookie texture.

  • How do I prevent M&Ms from cracking during baking?

Press M&Ms gently on top of the cookie dough right before baking to minimize color bleeding and prevent candies from breaking.

  • Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months before baking.

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Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe

Soft Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Irresistible chocolate m&m cookies blend rich cocoa with colorful candy pieces for a playful dessert. Sweet chocolate chips and crunchy m&m candies create a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix-In Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups M&M candies
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie release and even baking.
  2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl to eliminate lumps and ensure uniform dry ingredient distribution.
  3. Cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  4. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, consistent texture.
  5. Blend vanilla extract into the wet ingredients, stirring until completely integrated.
  6. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until a cohesive chocolate dough forms without overmixing.
  7. Gently fold in chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
  8. Carefully incorporate M&M candies, stirring minimally to prevent color bleeding and maintain candy integrity.
  9. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies approximately 2 inches apart.
  10. Press additional M&M candies on top of each cookie dough mound for visual appeal and extra candy concentration.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until edges appear set but centers remain slightly soft.
  12. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create a thicker, chewier cookie texture.
  • Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals, maintaining the same measurement ratios.
  • Use dairy-free butter alternatives and vegan chocolate chips to transform this recipe into a plant-based friendly version that doesn’t compromise on taste.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, placing a piece of bread inside to help maintain softness and prevent hardening.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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