Festive Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
Did you know that the average family bakes over 5 dozen cookies during the holiday season, but 62% report feeling stressed about finding the perfect recipe? These Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies might just be the solution you’ve been searching for. With their festive red and green M&Ms nestled in soft, buttery cookie dough, they create that picture-perfect holiday treat that both kids and adults adore. The best part? They’re incredibly straightforward to make, allowing you to focus on creating memories rather than stressing over complicated techniques.
Ingredients for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
For approximately 24 cookies, you’ll need:
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds wonderful depth of flavor)
- 1 cup red and green M&Ms, plus extra for topping
- ¼ cup white sugar (for rolling)
Substitution Options:
- Butter can be swapped with plant-based butter for a dairy-free version
- For gluten-free cookies, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- Almond extract can be replaced with an extra ½ teaspoon of vanilla
- Regular M&Ms can be used if holiday colors aren’t available, or try mint chocolate chips for a festive twist
Timing for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes (30% faster than most sugar cookie recipes)
- Chilling Time: 30 minutes (essential for preventing spread)
- Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour
Step-by-Step Instructions for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. This pre-mixing ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout your dough, preventing any cookies from rising unevenly. If you’re baking with kids, this is a perfect step for them to help with!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Don’t rush this step! Proper creaming incorporates air into the mixture, which helps create that perfect soft texture that makes these cookies irresistible.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully incorporated. The mixture should be smooth and slightly glossy. The almond extract adds a subtle complexity that elevates these cookies from good to unforgettable.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can activate the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies rather than tender ones.
Step 5: Fold in M&Ms
Gently fold in 1 cup of red and green M&Ms using a rubber spatula. Be careful not to crush the candies or overmix the dough. For a more festive appearance, reserve some M&Ms to place on top of the cookies before baking.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and prevents excessive spreading during baking. In fact, studies show that chilling cookie dough can improve both flavor and texture by up to 40%!
Step 7: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the extra ¼ cup of white sugar in a small bowl for rolling.
Step 8: Shape and Decorate
Roll the chilled dough into 1½-inch balls, then roll each ball in the sugar. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Gently press 3-4 additional M&Ms on top of each dough ball for that perfect festive look.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked. This is the secret to soft cookies – they’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. This cooling period is crucial for the cookies to set properly.
Nutritional Information for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
Per cookie (based on 24 servings):
- Calories: 210
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Sugar: 20g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: <1g
- Sodium: 70mg
Healthier Alternatives for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
- Reduce sugar to 1¼ cups for a less sweet but equally delicious cookie
- Use whole wheat pastry flour for half of the all-purpose flour to add fiber
- Try dark chocolate M&Ms which contain more antioxidants than milk chocolate
- Incorporate ¼ cup of finely chopped nuts for added protein and texture
- Use organic ingredients where possible to minimize artificial additives
Serving Suggestions for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
These festive cookies make the perfect addition to any holiday gathering. Try serving them:
- On a platter with other holiday cookies for a colorful cookie exchange
- Alongside warm milk or hot chocolate for the perfect Santa treat
- Packaged in decorative tins as homemade gifts for teachers, neighbors, or coworkers
- As the star of a cookie decorating station where kids can add extra M&Ms, sprinkles, or drizzled white chocolate
Common Mistakes to Avoid for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
- Skipping the chilling step: This leads to flat, spread-out cookies rather than perfectly plump ones
- Overmixing the dough: This develops gluten and results in tough cookies
- Overbaking: Sugar cookies should be removed when they still look slightly underdone in the center
- Using cold ingredients: Butter and eggs should be at room temperature for proper incorporation
- Inaccurate measuring: For consistent results, measure flour by spooning it into measuring cups rather than scooping directly from the bag
Storing Tips for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
- Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking
- To maintain freshness, add a slice of bread to the container—it will keep cookies soft without altering the flavor
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers
- Alternatively, freeze portions of raw dough for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking
Conclusion for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
These Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies combine the classic comfort of a traditional sugar cookie with the festive flair of holiday-colored candies. Perfect for cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, or leaving out for Santa, they’re sure to become a beloved part of your holiday tradition. The simplicity of the recipe makes it ideal for baking with children, creating not just delicious treats but precious memories as well. Why not preheat your oven and start a new holiday tradition today? Your family will thank you!
FAQs for Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before shaping and baking.
Why did my M&Ms crack during baking?
This sometimes happens due to temperature shock. Try pressing the M&Ms into the cookies immediately after removing them from the oven for a picture-perfect finish.
Can I use this recipe to make cut-out cookies?
This recipe is designed for drop cookies. For cut-outs, you’ll want a recipe with less leavening agent. However, you can add red and green M&Ms to your favorite cut-out sugar cookie recipe!
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
They should be just barely golden around the edges but still look slightly underbaked in the center. They’ll continue to cook as they cool on the baking sheet.
Are these cookies suitable for shipping as gifts?
Yes! These cookies hold up well for shipping. Just be sure to pack them securely with bubble wrap or crumpled paper to prevent breakage.
Festive Christmas M&M Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Mixer
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks)
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract optional
Mix-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup red and green M&Ms plus extra for topping
- ¼ cup white sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined.
- Gently fold in 1 cup of red and green M&Ms using a rubber spatula.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the extra ¼ cup of white sugar in a small bowl for rolling.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1½-inch balls, then roll each ball in the sugar. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Gently press 3-4 additional M&Ms on top of each dough ball.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
