If you’re searching for a delightfully festive treat to brighten your holiday baking, this Easter M&M Cookies Recipe is an absolute winner. Picture soft, buttery cookies bursting with creamy white chocolate chips and colorful, crunchy Easter M&Ms—every bite brings a smile. These cookies perfectly balance sweetness, texture, and that irresistible visual pop of pastel candies, making them the ultimate crowd-pleaser at any spring gathering or family celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating these charming cookies is easy when you have the right ingredients on hand. Each one plays a vital role, from the tender crumb of the cookie to the colorful bursts of sweetness that Easter M&Ms provide.
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour: The foundation for that soft yet sturdy cookie structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a perfect texture.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened: Gives the cookies their rich, moist crumb and tender bite.
- 1 cup (213g) packed light brown sugar: Adds warmth and moisture for chewy texture.
- ¾ cup (149g) granulated sugar: Brings sweetness and contributes to slight crispness around the edges.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together while adding structure and moisture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Deepens flavor with a lovely aromatic note.
- 1 ¼ cups white chocolate chips, divided: Offers creamy sweetness that melts perfectly in your mouth.
- 1 ¼ cups Easter M&M candies, divided: The star ingredient full of vibrant color and a satisfying crunch.
How to Make Easter M&M Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by warming up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking and to help with easy cleanup once the baking is done.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Keeping these dry ingredients well mixed ensures they incorporate evenly into the dough, creating a uniform texture throughout your cookies.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl or with a stand mixer, beat the softened butter until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes a couple of minutes. Add the light brown sugar and granulated sugar, then beat these together for 2 to 3 minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to blend everything thoroughly, which helps create that tender crumb.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, allowing each to incorporate before adding the next. Follow with the vanilla extract. These ingredients add moisture and richness, giving your cookies their soft, luscious texture.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix here, or you risk ending up with dense cookies instead of light, fluffy ones.
Step 6: Add Chips and Candies
Fold in 1 cup of the white chocolate chips and 1 cup of the Easter M&Ms gently by hand. This step ensures that the colorful candies and sweet chips are evenly distributed, giving you that iconic festive look and delightful bursts of flavor in every bite.
Step 7: Scoop and Chill
Using a large cookie scoop (around 3 tablespoons), portion the dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing each mound about 2 inches apart. Then, refrigerate the dough for at least 40 minutes. This chill time is essential as it helps reduce spreading during baking, so your cookies keep a perfect, thick shape.
Step 8: Bake
Pop the chilled cookies into the oven and bake them for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they’ve turned a lovely golden brown and have puffed up just the right amount. That beautiful color means you’re moments away from a dangerously delicious treat.
Step 9: Top and Cool
Once out of the oven, quickly press the remaining white chocolate chips and Easter M&Ms onto the tops of each warm cookie. This step adds extra visual flair and ensures you get that beautiful, colorful candy right on top with every cookie. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Easter M&M Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar can add a delicate touch to your Easter M&M Cookies, or consider drizzling some melted white chocolate over them for an elegant finish. Edible pastel-colored sprinkles also complement the festive vibe perfectly and invite smiles.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of rich hot chocolate, especially for an indulgent afternoon snack. Alternatively, a fresh fruit salad with bright spring berries offers a refreshing balance to their sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Easter M&M Cookies on a colorful platter surrounded by real or chocolate Easter eggs for a festive holiday display. You can also wrap individual cookies in clear cellophane bags, tied with pastel ribbons—perfect as adorable party favors or gifts to your loved ones.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Easter M&M Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days, so you can enjoy these charming treats beyond the holiday itself.
Freezing
If you want to save the dough for later, portion it into balls and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake as usual. Baked cookies can also be frozen in airtight containers for up to 3 months without losing their delightful texture.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies’ softness and flavor, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or warm them briefly in a low oven. This simple step makes every bite feel freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I substitute dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate chips provide a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the M&Ms and give the cookies a richer flavor. Just be mindful that it will change the overall taste slightly but still delicious.
What’s the purpose of chilling the dough before baking?
Chilling the dough helps solidify the fats, preventing cookies from spreading too much in the oven. This keeps them thick, chewy, and perfectly shaped, so the colorful M&Ms stay perfectly perched on top.
Can I use regular M&Ms instead of Easter-themed ones?
Yes, regular M&Ms work just as well if you don’t have seasonal Easter candies. The cookie will still taste wonderful—just without the specific pastel color palette.
How do I make the cookies crispier?
If you prefer a crispier cookie, bake them a couple of minutes longer until the edges turn golden brown, and reduce the chilling time slightly so they spread a bit more.
Are these cookies safe to make ahead for a party?
Definitely! These cookies are fantastic for preparing ahead, especially since the dough freezes well and the baked cookies keep fresh for several days. Just be sure to store them properly to maintain that fresh-baked appeal.
Final Thoughts
With their whimsical colors and irresistible soft texture, this Easter M&M Cookies Recipe is sure to become a favorite in your seasonal baking lineup. They’re easy to make, fun to share, and bring pure joy with every bite. So go ahead, dig in, and let these festive cookies brighten your spring celebrations!
Print
Easter M&M Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 22 servings 1x
Description
Delight in these festive Easter M&M Cookies that are soft, chewy, and bursting with colorful candy and white chocolate chips. Perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you want a sweet, crunchy treat with a splash of fun and vibrant colors.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (213g) packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup (149g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 ¼ cups white chocolate chips, divided
- 1 ¼ cups Easter M&M candies, divided
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer or large bowl and hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar, continuing to beat for 2-3 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl for uniform mixing.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Add Chips and Candies: Fold in 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1 cup of Easter M&M candies gently until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop and Chill: Using a large cookie scoop that holds about 3 tablespoons, portion the dough evenly onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each scoop about 2 inches apart. Refrigerate the cookie dough on the sheets for at least 40 minutes to chill, which helps the cookies retain their shape during baking.
- Bake: Bake the chilled cookie dough for 12-15 minutes in the preheated oven or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are puffy and set.
- Top and Cool: As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, press the remaining ¼ cup white chocolate chips and ¼ cup Easter M&M candies gently on top of each warm cookie. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chilling the cookie dough before baking helps prevent spreading and gives you thicker, chewier cookies.
- You can substitute Easter M&Ms with regular M&Ms or other colorful candy-coated chocolates.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.
- If you prefer, you can add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
