Name: Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-489931H3M12S
Total time: PT-489931H3M12S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup (114 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; ½ cup light brown sugar; ¼ cup white sugar; ¾ cup (180 grams) peanut butter; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup all purpose flour; ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats); ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup Christmas M&M’s, mini or regular (plus more for the top); ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini or regular (plus more for the top)

If you’re looking to add a little extra festive cheer to your cookie jar this season, you’re going to absolutely adore this Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe. I love this recipe because it combines the classic chewiness of monster cookies with those bright, colorful Christmas M&Ms that just scream holiday fun. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just sneaking a few treats on your own, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles all around. Keep reading, and I’ll share all my best tips to help you nail these festive beauties every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive and Fun: The Christmas M&Ms add a joyful pop of color that everyone instantly recognizes and loves.
Perfect Chewy Texture: With peanut butter and oats, these cookies balance chewy and soft into every bite.
Simple Ingredients: Nothing fancy here, just pantry staples you likely already have.
Great for Sharing: These cookies stay fresh, freeze well, and travel nicely for holiday gifting.

The image shows a stack of thick cookies on a black wire rack. The front cookie is large and round with a golden-brown rough texture, decorated with large, glossy red and green candy pieces and dark chocolate chunks spread unevenly on its surface. The stack of cookies fades into the blurred background, resting on a surface with a white marbled texture. Around the cookies are scattered dark chocolate chips, a few loose red and green candies, and a white bowl with some candies in it near the bottom left. A green ribbon and a small dark green decorative tree appear on the right side. The overall scene looks warm and festive, with soft natural lighting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas M&M Cookies, festive cookie recipes, holiday treat ideas, colorful Christmas cookies, easy Christmas cookie recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients in this Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe come together to create that nostalgic monster cookie you’ll want to make year after year. I always recommend using fresh, room-temperature butter and real vanilla extract for the best flavor.

Flat lay of a small square of unsalted butter softened to room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl of light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of white sugar, a small mound of smooth creamy peanut butter, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of old-fashioned rolled oats, a small white ceramic bowl containing fine baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful Christmas M&M's, and a small white ceramic bowl of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, all arranged with perfect symmetry in realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Christmas M&M Cookies, festive cookie recipes, holiday treat ideas, colorful Christmas cookies, easy Christmas cookie recipes

Unsalted butter: Softened butter helps your cookies stay tender while controlling salt level in the dough.
Light brown sugar: This adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that complements the peanut butter perfectly.
White sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create that slight crisp edge on your cookies.
Peanut butter: Choose creamy peanut butter for smooth dough; it’s the heart of these monster cookies.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla elevates every ingredient here.
All-purpose flour: Provides just enough structure without making the cookies tough.
Old-fashioned rolled oats: Not quick oats — these add texture and wholesome flavor.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread perfectly.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances peanut butter’s richness.
Christmas M&M’s: I love using minis or regular size; pressing extra on top really makes them pop!
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Mini or regular work great – they bring that melty chocolate goodness in every bite.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe is so flexible—you can adjust it to match whatever flavors or dietary needs you have. Over the years, I’ve played with a few variations to keep things interesting and cater to friends’ preferences.

Nut-free variation: I swap out peanut butter for sunflower seed butter, which still keeps the chewiness but without peanuts.
White chocolate twist: Try replacing semi-sweet chips with white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier bite.
Extra festive flavors: Add a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for a holiday warming note I discovered works beautifully.
Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and gluten-free oats to make these safe for everyone at the party.

How to Make Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Prep Like a Pro

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. I always line my pans because it prevents sticking and helps get that perfect golden bottom crust. Set the sheet aside; you’ll need it soon!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream your softened butter with the brown and white sugars on medium speed. I usually go about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy – don’t rush this step because well-creamed butter and sugar sets the stage for soft, tender cookies.

Step 3: Add the Flavor Players

Next, mix in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract on low speed until just combined. The dough will start looking glossy and smelling incredible — I totally get why these cookies disappear so quickly in my kitchen.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients and Fold in Goodies

Now add the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Beat just until you don’t see any dry flour — overmixing will make the cookies tough, so be gentle. Finally, fold in the Christmas M&M’s and chocolate chips with a spatula. This step is so satisfying because you can see all those festive colors and chocolate peeking through the dough already!

Step 5: Scoop and Add Extras

Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), drop dough balls spaced about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. I found that pressing a few extra chocolate chips and M&Ms on top before baking makes the cookies look irresistibly festive and inviting.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies for 10-13 minutes, or until the edges just start to brown. The centers might look slightly underdone, but trust me — that’s perfect. They continue baking as they cool, and this keeps them soft and chewy instead of dry. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Repeat and Enjoy!

Keep scooping and baking the rest of your dough in batches. I love how the kitchen smells during this process. When the cookies cool, you’ll notice they’re festive, chewy, and utterly addictive. Your family will go crazy for these—just like mine does every holiday season.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Using softened butter and room-temp egg helps everything blend smoothly, creating that perfect cookie texture.
Don’t Overmix: I learned the hard way—if you mix the flour too much, your cookies get tough instead of tender.
Extra Toppings on Top: Pushing a few extra M&Ms and chocolate chips on top before baking gives a gorgeous look and extra bursts of flavor.
Timing is Key: Removing cookies just as edges brown locks in that chewy center—watch the clock closely!

How to Serve Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe

Six round cookies with a golden brown base are placed on a black metal cooling rack. Each cookie has large melted dark chocolate chunks and bright red and green candy pieces scattered on top, adding a colorful contrast. The cookies look soft with a slight crackled texture and are evenly spaced on the rack. The rack sits on a white marbled surface with a few scattered oats near the top right corner, giving a fresh baking feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas M&M Cookies, festive cookie recipes, holiday treat ideas, colorful Christmas cookies, easy Christmas cookie recipes

Garnishes

When I serve these, I like to add a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt or a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra festive touch. Sometimes I top a few warm cookies with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream – trust me, it’s a game changer!

Side Dishes

Pair your Christmas M&M cookies with a glass of cold milk or a warm mug of cocoa for the ultimate holiday comfort combo. They’re also great alongside a festive fruit platter or even a small cheese board if you want to mix sweet and savory.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I love stacking these cookies with parchment paper in a pretty holiday tin or cellophane bag tied with a ribbon. At parties, arranging them on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine needles adds a gorgeous seasonal vibe that’s sure to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. I always find that storing them next to a slice of bread keeps them softer longer because of the moisture the bread releases. If you need them to last longer, refrigerate for up to a month, though the texture may firm up and lose a bit of that fresh-chewy magic.

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing both baked cookies and unbaked dough balls. For dough, scoop balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze until firm—about 1-2 hours—then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. These make for super easy last-minute cookie baking because you can thaw overnight and bake as usual. Baked cookies freeze well too; just wrap them tightly or layer them between parchment paper inside a freezer-safe bag.

Reheating

I like to warm leftover cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds—it revives that freshly-baked softness and melts any chocolate chips to gooey perfection. You can also pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes if you want a little crisp edge back.

FAQs

Can I use regular M&Ms instead of Christmas M&Ms in this recipe?

Absolutely! Regular M&Ms work just fine in this recipe and will still give you that wonderful candy crunch and chocolate hit. But if you want that extra festive flair, the Christmas M&Ms with their holiday colors add a fun seasonal touch.
What’s the secret to chewy monster cookies with this recipe?

The combination of peanut butter, brown sugar, and oats is key. Brown sugar adds moisture, oats provide texture, and peanut butter brings richness. Also, baking just until the edges brown and letting them cool on the tray locks in chewiness.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend and make sure to use certified gluten-free oats. This swap keeps the cookies just as delicious without gluten worries.
How many cookies does this recipe make?

This recipe yields about 18 medium-sized cookies, perfect for sharing or filling your holiday cookie jar!

Final Thoughts

This Christmas M&M Cookie Recipe has truly become one of my holiday staples, and I’m so excited to share it with you. It’s the kind of cookie that’ll make your kitchen smell heavenly and have everyone asking for seconds (and thirds!). What I love best is how approachable it is—even if you don’t bake often, these come together without fuss and taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. If you’re looking to add a little extra sparkle to your holiday baking, grab your ingredients and give this recipe a go. Trust me, you’ll want these cookies front and center at your celebrations!