These homemade M&M Christmas Cookies are filled with festive green and red candies, and chocolate chips for an extra kick. These cookies come out of the oven deliciously soft and pillowy, and they’re so easy to make!

A plate of M&M Christmas cookies.

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  • Tender. Adding cornstarch to the dough is my secret for soft, thick cookies that don’t spread.
  • Festive. Red and green candies make these M&M cookies fun for the holidays.
  • Flavorful. Butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract add so much flavor to these cookies.

Variations on Christmas M&M Cookies

You can make these Christmas cookies even more festive by swapping out the chocolate chips for peppermint or Andes mint chocolate chips! You could also fold in some red and green sprinkles to really drive the holiday theme home.

cookies filled with M&Ms and chocolate chips, arranged on parchment paper.
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How to Store

Store leftover M&M Christmas cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator.

How to Freeze

Freeze Christmas M&M cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature before enjoying.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these candy-filled Christmas cookies with a glass of whole or oat milk for Santa Claus! Or enjoy them dipped in a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate. They also make great festive ice cream sandwiches with my favorite red velvet ice cream between them. Yum!

What kind of M&M’s should I use?

I like to use the Christmas M&M’s when they are available since it saves me from having to sort the colors. But you can really use any of the colors.

What does cornstarch do in cookies?

Cornstarch helps to make the cookies soft and tender. It also helps the cookies to spread less by thickening up the dough! 

Why do I need to chill cookie dough?

Chilling cookie dough before baking helps prevent the dough from spreading in the oven.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

These cookies don’t take long to bake, just 12-14 minutes, so keep your eye on them. Bake them just until the edges of the cookies start to set and are a little firmer to the touch. The edges should brown just ever so slightly. The cookies will continue to bake once they are removed from the oven and will harden as they cool.

A Christmas M&M cookie leaned up against a jar of milk, with M&Ms and chocolate chips scattered around it.
Recipe Card

M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe

4.43 from 14 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 14 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 29 minutes
Servings: 16
Author: Becky Hardin
A plate of cookies with m & m's on it.
Whip up these soft-baked cookies filled with M&Ms and chocolate chips for an easy Christmas treat!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients 

  • 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour 280 grams
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
  • teaspoons cornstarch 5 grams
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter 170 grams, melted (1½ sticks)
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar 160 grams
  • ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
  • 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
  • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips 85 grams
  • 10 tablespoons red and green M&M's 106 grams, divided (½ cup + 2 tablespoons for topping)

Instructions 

  • In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt with a whisk. Set aside.
    2⅓ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1½ teaspoons cornstarch, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    A bowl of flour, eggs, and other ingredients on a marble countertop.
  • In a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
    ¾ cup unsalted butter, ¾ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar
    A bowl of peanut butter cookie dough on a marble table.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined.
    2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
    A bowl of batter with ingredients on a marble table.
  • Add the dry mixture, and mix with a large spoon or rubber spatula until completely combined.
    A bowl of cookie dough with a wooden spoon next to it.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M's.
    ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips, 10 tablespoons red and green M&M's
    A bowl of cookie dough with chocolate chips and m&m's.
  • Cover and chill for at least 1 hour to prevent the cookies from spreading.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Use a cookie scoop to measure 3 tablespoons of dough. Roll into a smooth ball. Place 6 on each baking sheet.
    A baking sheet with cookies and candy on it.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
  • While the cookies are still warm, press in the remaining M&M's in (just for looks).
    Christmas cookies on a baking sheet with red and green candies.
  • Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.

Becky’s Tips

  • Take the eggs out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before making the cookie dough. Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the cookie dough.
  • Before serving or storing, let the cookies cool completely.
Storage: Store M&M Christmas cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. 
Serving: 1cookieCalories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 161mgPotassium: 77mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 323IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make M&M Christmas Cookies Step by Step

Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine 2⅓ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1½ teaspoons of cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt with a whisk. Set aside.

A bowl of flour, eggs, and other ingredients on a marble countertop.

Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat ¾ cup of room temperature unsalted butter, ¾ cup of light brown sugar, and ½ cup of granulated sugar.

A bowl of peanut butter cookie dough on a marble table.

Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add 2 large room temperature eggs and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Mix until combined.

A bowl of batter with ingredients on a marble table.

Make the Dough: Add the dry mixture, and mix with a large spoon or rubber spatula until completely combined.

A bowl of cookie dough with a wooden spoon next to it.

Chill the Dough: Fold in ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips and ½ cup of red and green M&M’s. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour to prevent the cookies from spreading.

A bowl of cookie dough with chocolate chips and m&m's.

Roll into Balls: Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a cookie scoop to measure 3 tablespoons of dough. Roll into a smooth ball. Place 6 on each baking sheet.

A baking sheet with cookies and candy on it.

Bake the Cookies: Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. While the cookies are still warm, press in the remaining 2 tablespoons of M&M’s in (just for looks). Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.

Christmas cookies on a baking sheet with red and green candies.

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.43 from 14 votes (13 ratings without comment)
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4 Comments
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Lori
Lori
December 16, 2023 8:54 pm

Bake at 325.. is that correct.. my cookies are in the oven now..5 stars

Samantha Marceau
December 18, 2023 8:33 am
Reply to  Lori

Hi Lori, yes, as stated in the recipe, 325°F is the temperature to bake these cookies at!

Sharzi
Sharzi
December 13, 2023 8:33 pm

How many does this recipe make?

Samantha Marceau
December 14, 2023 8:15 am
Reply to  Sharzi

Hi Sharzi, this recipe makes 16 cookies!