Here’s something sort of weird about me (one of many): I love M&M’s in my Christmas cookies, but I’m not a big fan of them by themselves. It always kind of baffles me when people say their favorite candy is M&M’s. I mean, there are so many varieties of candies out there…why M&M’s?? To each his own, I guess. Now, when it comes to cookies, however, I love to bake with M&M’s (but only if they’re red and green, of course!). Whether it’s my Monster Cookies, chocolate chip cookies with M&M’s, or these yummy, simple drop cookies, they’re always delicious and they always make me feel a little “jollier” around Christmastime (it’s very important to feel jolly at Christmas! :-)). When my sister and I were little, we always left Santa M&M cookies on Christmas Eve, so naturally, this kind of cookie just screams Christmas for me.
Speaking of Christmas-y things, what color lights do you prefer on your Christmas tree?? Me, I love the colored lights – they’re much happier and cheery looking. Oddly enough, this year we have a white-lighted tree….just not the same… Anyway, back to business. I went searching for a good ‘ol drop cookie recipe and decided to check the King Arthur Flour site, which is quickly becoming my favorite online resource for baking recipes, and found this recipe. It’s totally simple, straight-forward and really, really tasty. The thing I loved most was that the cookie part wasn’t too buttery and sweet; it was nicely balanced and let the M&M’s be the star. These are just plain ‘ol, simple M&M cookies, but just seeing a plate full of them makes you feel warm and fuzzy…and of course, jolly! If you have kids, these are perfect cookies to make for Santa – they’re easy enough that the kids can help, and they end up looking very Christmas-y and fun! Enjoy!
M&M Christmas Cookies
–King Arthur Flour
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar, light or dark, packed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
2 tablespoons milk, optional
2 cups Holiday M&M’s
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease two baking sheets, or line with parchment. Beat together the butter, sugars, salt, vanilla, baking soda, and baking powder until well combined. Add the egg, beating until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl, and beat again until smooth.
Add the flour, mixing it in completely. Stir in the milk, then carefully stir in the M&M’s.
Drop the cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2″ apart. A cookie scoop works well here.
Bake the cookies for 14 to 16 minutes, until they’re a light golden brown, and a bit darker around the edges.
Remove them from the oven, and cool right on the baking sheets.
You can count me among those who love M&M’s 🙂 I’m not sure they’re my favorite candy, but definitely among the favorites! These cookies look soooo good and so festive. I am bookmarking them now. Thanks for sharing!
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Comment by Tracey — November 30, 2009 @ 4:39 PM
Cute cookies, A! 🙂
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Comment by Hornedfroggy of My Baking Heart — November 30, 2009 @ 4:50 PM
So cute! And for the record…M&Ms are my favorite candy!
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Comment by Kelsey — November 30, 2009 @ 5:13 PM
I can’t believe I just read this: “I love M&M’s in my Christmas cookies, but I’m not a big fan of them by themselves.” That is exactly how I feel about them! My husband can’t understand why I keep buying bags of M&Ms (I keep getting them free) because he knows I don’t like them as candy.
Good to know I’m not alone! 🙂
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Comment by Jennifer — November 30, 2009 @ 6:43 PM
Hey, thanks for your kind words about our site/recipes. And your cookies look absolutely scrumptious! Have you tried them with the dark chocolate M&Ms? MMMMMMM……. PJ Hamel, King Arthur Flour baker/blogger
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Comment by PJ Hamel — December 1, 2009 @ 6:17 AM
Oh, YUM! Do these cookies bring back memories for me? Well, goodness gracious me! More memories than you have space for here!
Love, Nana
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Comment by Nana & Grandaddy — December 1, 2009 @ 10:47 AM
Yummy cookies!
I love colored lights on the tree. It’s so happy looking that way 🙂
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Comment by Stephanie — December 1, 2009 @ 2:46 PM
Bought some M&M’s today & I’ll probably need to hide them from your father or there won’t be enough to put in the cookies!!
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Comment by Mother — December 3, 2009 @ 12:42 AM
Made these today and they are delicious!! Sharing them with our small group tonight at Bible Study!! Thanks for the recipe!
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Comment by Amy Graham — December 7, 2009 @ 1:27 PM
Hi! How many cookies does the recipe yield? I’m trying to decide if I should double the recipe..thanks!
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amy Reply:
December 11th, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Lorie – I got around 16, but depending on how big you make them, you could get around 20 or more. Hope you enjoy them!
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Comment by Lorie — December 11, 2009 @ 3:42 PM
Hi Amy, I made these over the w/e and they were delish but the cookies did not spread…ugh. I know its something I did (i’m a serious novice), any ideas? I brought the butter to room temp, was I not supposed to? I weighed the ingredients (well the flour) so that should have been accurate. I want to make them again this w/e but I want them to look pretty like yours 🙂
Thanks!
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Comment by Lorie — December 14, 2009 @ 4:03 PM
Lorie- sorry about your cookies not spreading! Did you chill the dough before baking? That’s the only thing I could think of that might keep them from spreading. Maybe next time you could sort of flatten each cookie out with a spoon right before baking. I’m sorry I’m not more help – I really hope they turn out better next time!
-Amy
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Comment by amy — December 14, 2009 @ 4:27 PM
I don’t think I chilled the dough but I will try it next time! Where did you find the recipe exactly, as I could not find it on the KAF site?
Thanks for your help.
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Comment by Lorie — December 14, 2009 @ 4:39 PM
Here you go, Lorie – http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/basic-drop-cookies-recipe
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Comment by amy — December 14, 2009 @ 5:35 PM
[…] them from the oven, and cool right on the baking sheets. Source: King Arthur Flour seen on Sing For Your Supper Posted in Cookies, […]
Pingback by Classic M&M Christmas Cookies » The Novice Chef Blog — April 28, 2010 @ 2:40 PM
Ohh, I have to say that, while I’m still waiting for them to cool down, they look like the best cookies I’ll ever have!!
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Comment by Inktrap — November 6, 2010 @ 5:01 PM
These were soooo yummy!! Will def be making these again, only thing I would change is to double the recipe. The original recipe makes only 17 small cookies, which is okay if your baking for yourself.. lol.. 🙂
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