The holiday season brings with it the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cookies, and Christmas M&M cookies recipes are a delightful way to spread festive cheer. These colorful treats combine the classic appeal of chocolate chip cookies with the festive flair of red and green M&Ms, making them a hit at holiday gatherings. With simple ingredients like brown sugar, vanilla extract, and of course, M&Ms, these cookies are easy to make and sure to please both kids and adults alike.
For those looking to bake up some holiday magic, this article provides a comprehensive guide to creating perfect Christmas M&M cookies. It covers the essential ingredients needed, including baking soda and cornstarch for the ideal texture. Readers will learn the step-by-step mixing process, tips for shaping and baking the cookies to perfection, and creative variations to add a unique twist to their holiday baking repertoire. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will help you whip up a batch of festive cookies that are sure to become a new holiday tradition.
Essential Ingredients for M&M Christmas Cookies
Creating delicious Christmas M&M cookies requires a careful selection of high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture, flavor, and festive appearance. Let’s explore the essential ingredients needed for these holiday treats.
High-quality butter
The foundation of any great cookie recipe is butter. For Christmas M&M cookies, unsalted butter is the preferred choice. It allows bakers to control the salt content in the recipe. The butter should be at room temperature, softened but still cool to the touch. This consistency ensures proper incorporation into the dough, resulting in a tender and flavorful cookie.
Types of sugar
A combination of white granulated sugar and brown sugar is key to achieving the ideal texture and flavor in Christmas M&M cookies. Brown sugar adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor, contributing to a chewy center. White sugar, on the other hand, helps create crisp edges. The ratio of these sugars can be adjusted to personal preference, but a common combination is 3/4 cup of each type.
Flour and leavening agents
All-purpose flour forms the structure of the cookies. It’s important to measure the flour correctly by scooping it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife. This method ensures accuracy and prevents overly dense cookies.
Baking soda and baking powder are the leavening agents that give the cookies their perfect rise. While the amounts may seem small, these ingredients are crucial for achieving the right texture. Some recipes also include a small amount of cornstarch, which helps create a softer, more tender cookie.
M&Ms and mix-ins
The star ingredient in Christmas M&M cookies is, of course, the M&Ms themselves. Red and green M&Ms are popular choices for their festive colors, but bakers can use any variety they prefer. Some recipes call for up to 2 cups of M&Ms, ensuring plenty of chocolatey goodness in every bite.
In addition to M&Ms, many recipes incorporate chocolate chips for extra richness. Dark, milk, or white chocolate chips can be used, depending on personal preference. Some bakers even add nuts, such as macadamias, for added texture and flavor.
Other essential ingredients include:
- Vanilla extract: This adds depth to the flavor profile of the cookies.
- Eggs: They bind the ingredients together and contribute to the structure of the cookies.
- Salt: A small amount enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
When gathering ingredients for Christmas M&M cookies, it’s important to use high-quality components. Fresh, soft brown sugar and room temperature eggs will yield the best results. Some bakers also recommend using kosher salt for a more refined flavor.
By carefully selecting and measuring these essential ingredients, bakers can create Christmas M&M cookies that are sure to delight friends and family during the holiday season. The combination of butter, sugars, flour, leavening agents, and festive M&Ms results in a cookie that’s both visually appealing and irresistibly delicious.
Step-by-Step Mixing Process
The process of mixing Christmas M&M cookies is crucial for achieving the perfect texture and flavor. By following these steps carefully, bakers can create delicious treats that are sure to delight during the holiday season.
Creaming butter and sugar
The first step in making Christmas M&M cookies is creaming the butter and sugar together. This process is essential for creating a light and fluffy texture in the finished cookies. To begin, place softened butter in a large mixing bowl. Add both granulated sugar and brown sugar to the bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and creamy. This step incorporates air into the dough, which helps the cookies rise during baking.
Adding eggs and vanilla
Once the butter and sugar are well-combined, it’s time to add the eggs and vanilla extract. Crack the eggs into the bowl one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This ensures that the eggs are fully incorporated into the batter. Next, add the vanilla extract. It’s important to note that adding vanilla to the butter mixture enhances its flavor, as vanilla is fat-soluble. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined, but be careful not to overmix at this stage.
Incorporating dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, including flour, baking soda, and salt. Some recipes also call for cornstarch, which can help create a softer texture in the cookies. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. It’s crucial not to overmix at this stage, as doing so can lead to tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as the flour is about 50% incorporated.
Folding in M&Ms
The final step in the mixing process is adding the M&Ms. For Christmas M&M cookies, use red and green M&Ms to give them a festive appearance. Gently fold the M&Ms into the dough using a spatula or wooden spoon. This method prevents the candies from breaking and ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Some bakers prefer to reserve a portion of the M&Ms to press onto the tops of the cookies just before baking, which creates an attractive appearance.
For an extra chocolatey twist, some recipes suggest adding chocolate chips along with the M&Ms. This addition can enhance the overall flavor and texture of the cookies.
After completing the mixing process, many bakers recommend chilling the dough for about two hours before baking. This step allows the butter to firm up and the flavors to meld, resulting in cookies with better texture and taste. However, if time is limited, the cookies can be baked immediately.
By following this step-by-step mixing process, bakers can create delicious Christmas M&M cookies that are perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting to friends and family. The key is to pay attention to each stage of the process, from creaming the butter and sugar to gently folding in the M&Ms, to ensure the best possible results.
Shaping and Baking Techniques
The shaping and baking process is crucial for creating perfect Christmas M&M cookies. By following these techniques, bakers can ensure their cookies turn out beautifully every time.
Using a cookie scoop
A cookie scoop is an essential tool for creating uniform cookies. It helps ensure that each cookie is the same size, which leads to even baking. For Christmas M&M cookies, a large cookie scoop that holds about 3 tablespoons of dough is ideal. This size creates cookies that are substantial enough to hold plenty of M&Ms while still baking evenly. When using the scoop, it’s important to mound the dough slightly higher rather than wider, as this will help the cookies maintain a good thickness as they spread during baking.
Spacing on baking sheets
Proper spacing is crucial when baking Christmas M&M cookies. These cookies tend to spread quite a bit during baking, so it’s important to leave ample room between each dough ball. A good rule of thumb is to space the cookies about 3 inches apart on the baking sheet. This typically allows for about 8 cookies per standard baking sheet, rather than the usual dozen. By giving the cookies more space, they can spread without running into each other, resulting in perfectly round cookies with crisp edges.
Baking time and temperature
The key to achieving the perfect texture for Christmas M&M cookies lies in the baking time and temperature. Most recipes recommend baking the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for about 11 to 13 minutes. However, it’s important to note that the cookies should be removed from the oven when they are lightly golden around the edges but still slightly underdone in the center. This approach ensures that the cookies will have crisp edges and soft, chewy centers once they’ve cooled.
It’s crucial not to overbake these cookies. When they first come out of the oven, they may look slightly gooey in the center, but this is exactly what you want. The residual heat from the baking sheet will continue to cook the cookies as they cool, resulting in the perfect texture. If you wait until the cookies look completely done before removing them from the oven, they may end up overcooked and crispy throughout.
Adding extra M&Ms on top
To make Christmas M&M cookies visually appealing and extra festive, many bakers choose to add additional M&Ms to the tops of the cookies just before baking. This technique ensures that the colorful candies are visible on the surface of the cookies, creating a more attractive appearance.
To do this, gently press about 5 to 7 M&Ms onto the top of each dough ball before placing the cookies in the oven. It’s important not to press too hard, as you want to maintain the domed shape of the dough ball. The cookies will spread as they bake, distributing the M&Ms across the surface.
For an even more festive touch, some bakers prefer to use red and green M&Ms specifically for Christmas cookies. This color combination adds to the holiday theme and makes the cookies perfect for Christmas gatherings or gift-giving.
After baking, while the cookies are still warm and on the baking sheet, you can further enhance their appearance by gently pushing any stray M&Ms closer together. This can be done using the back of a spoon or by carefully reshaping the edges of the cookies to create a more uniform, round shape.
By following these shaping and baking techniques, bakers can create Christmas M&M cookies that are not only delicious but also visually appealing. The combination of proper spacing, careful timing, and strategic placement of M&Ms results in cookies that are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
Creative M&M Cookie Variations for the Holidays
The holiday season is the perfect time to experiment with festive twists on classic Christmas M&M cookies recipes. By incorporating seasonal flavors and ingredients, bakers can create unique and delicious treats that capture the spirit of the holidays. Here are some creative variations to try:
Mint chocolate M&M cookies
For those who love the combination of mint and chocolate, mint chocolate M&M cookies are a delightful treat. These cookies feature a rich, dark chocolate base that pairs perfectly with the refreshing taste of mint. To create this variation, bakers can use mint-flavored M&Ms or add peppermint extract to the dough. The result is a cookie that’s both indulgent and refreshing, perfect for holiday gatherings.
To enhance the mint flavor, some recipes suggest incorporating mint-flavored chocolate chips or chopped mint chocolate bars into the dough. For an extra festive touch, bakers can roll the cookies in green sanding sugar before baking, giving them a sparkly appearance that’s perfect for Christmas or Saint Patrick’s Day.
Cranberry white chocolate M&M cookies
Cranberry white chocolate M&M cookies offer a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors that embody the essence of the holiday season. These cookies combine the classic appeal of M&M cookies with the festive flavors of cranberries and white chocolate. The chewy texture of dried cranberries adds a pleasant contrast to the creamy white chocolate chips and crunchy M&Ms.
To make these cookies, bakers can use regular M&Ms or opt for holiday-themed colors to make them even more festive. The combination of red cranberries, white chocolate chips, and colorful M&Ms creates a visually appealing cookie that’s perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or as a homemade gift.
Gingerbread M&M cookies
For a unique twist on traditional gingerbread, bakers can create gingerbread M&M cookies. These cookies combine the warm, spicy flavors of gingerbread with the sweet crunch of M&Ms. The result is a soft, chewy cookie with a delightful blend of flavors that captures the essence of the holiday season.
To make gingerbread M&M cookies, bakers can start with a classic gingerbread cookie recipe and add M&Ms to the dough. Some recipes suggest using brown sugar and molasses to achieve the characteristic gingerbread flavor, along with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. For an extra festive touch, bakers can use red and green M&Ms or even create cute gingerbread men shapes that “hug” the M&Ms.
These creative variations on Christmas M&M cookies recipes offer bakers the opportunity to experiment with different flavors and textures while still maintaining the beloved characteristics of classic M&M cookies. Whether it’s the refreshing mint chocolate, the sweet and tart cranberry white chocolate, or the spicy gingerbread version, these cookies are sure to be a hit at holiday gatherings and make wonderful gifts for friends and family.
When making these variations, it’s important to remember that chilling the dough can help improve both the taste and texture of the cookies. Some recipes recommend chilling the dough for at least 24 hours before baking, allowing the flavors to meld and resulting in a better overall cookie.
Bakers can also get creative with the presentation of these cookies. For example, they can add extra M&Ms on top of the cookies just before baking or immediately after they come out of the oven for a more colorful appearance. Using holiday-themed M&M colors can further enhance the festive look of the cookies.
By exploring these creative variations, bakers can add excitement and variety to their holiday baking repertoire while still enjoying the beloved taste of M&M cookies. Whether making them for a cookie exchange, a holiday party, or simply to enjoy at home, these festive twists on classic M&M cookies are sure to spread holiday cheer.