M&M cookies have a special place in the hearts of many, evoking fond memories and creating new ones with their delightful combination of classic cookie dough and colourful M&M candies.
The origin of this cookie is entwined with the history of M&M’s themselves, introduced in the United States in the early 1940s. The concept of adding these candies to cookies became popular over the years, leading to the creation of this iconic treat.
The beauty of M&M cookies lies in their simplicity and adaptability. They are not too tricky to make, making them a perfect choice for both novice and experienced bakers. Their ease of preparation is part of their charm; you don’t need advanced baking skills to create these delightful treats.
There are various ways to tweak the M&M cookie recipe to suit your tastes or dietary requirements. For instance, you can use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version or experiment with different types of M&M’s for varying flavours and colours.
Some bakers like to add nuts or chocolate chips to the mix for an extra layer of texture and flavour.
This particular recipe for M&M cookies is a classic version, balancing the sweetness of granulated and brown sugar with the creamy richness of unsalted butter.
The eggs and vanilla extract add depth to the flavour, while the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt create the perfect cookie base. The real stars are the M&M’s, which not only add a pop of colour but also an extra dimension of chocolatey sweetness.
In terms of difficulty, M&M cookies are quite straightforward. The process involves creaming together butter and sugars, adding eggs and vanilla for flavour, then combining with dry ingredients to form a dough.
The final, and perhaps most enjoyable step, is folding in the M&M’s before baking to perfection. The result is a batch of wonderfully soft, slightly chewy cookies with a delightful crunch from the M&M’s.
One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility. You can make slight adjustments to the baking time to achieve your desired cookie texture, whether you prefer them soft and chewy or a bit more crisp.
Additionally, you can play around with the size of the cookies, making them larger or smaller depending on your preference. M&M cookies are a canvas for creativity and a source of joy for bakers and eaters alike.
Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just as a treat for yourself, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and satisfaction. So, let’s get ready to bake some M&M cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Expert Tip: For chewier cookies, increase the brown sugar proportion slightly and reduce the granulated sugar. Brown sugar retains more moisture, giving the cookies a softer texture.
Before diving into each ingredient, it’s important to understand that every component in this M&M cookie recipe plays a unique role, contributing to the final flavour and texture of these delightful treats.
Unsalted Butter: The unsalted butter is crucial for creating a rich, creamy base for the cookies. It helps in achieving that perfect balance between crisp edges and a soft centre.
If you’re in a pinch, salted butter can be used, but remember to adjust the additional salt in the recipe accordingly. The butter’s role is to ensure that each bite melts in your mouth, enhancing the overall taste.
Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar is key for adding sweetness and also aids in getting that golden-brown colour. It contributes to the cookies’ structure, creating a crisp exterior.
If you wish to experiment, coconut sugar could be a healthier alternative, though it will slightly alter the flavour profile, adding a caramel-like taste.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar brings a deeper, caramel-like sweetness to the cookies. It’s responsible for the chewiness you experience with each bite. If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute it with more granulated sugar, but you’ll miss out on that rich molasses flavour and slightly softer texture that brown sugar offers.
Eggs: Eggs act as a binding agent, holding all the ingredients together. They also contribute to the cookies’ richness and structure. If you’re looking for a vegan option, a flax egg (a mix of ground flaxseed and water) can serve as a substitute, though it might slightly change the texture.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds a subtle but essential flavour that complements the cookie dough and M&M’s. It’s like a background note that enhances the overall taste. Almond extract could be used for a different flavour profile, but use it sparingly as it’s much stronger than vanilla.
All-Purpose Flour: The all-purpose flour forms the structure of the cookie. It’s the base that holds everything together. For a gluten-free version, a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can be used, but it may slightly affect the texture and flavour of the cookies.
Baking Soda: Baking soda helps the cookies rise and spread. It reacts with the acidic components (like brown sugar) to create a light, airy texture. There’s no direct substitute for baking soda in this recipe, as it’s essential for the cookies’ texture.
Salt: Salt is important to balance and bring out the flavours of the other ingredients. It contrasts the sweetness and prevents the cookies from tasting flat. If using salted butter, you can reduce the additional salt.
M&M’s: The M&M’s not only add a burst of chocolate flavour but also a delightful crunch and a pop of colour. You can experiment with different types of M&M’s or substitute them with chocolate chips or nuts for variation. The M&M’s are essential for adding that unique character to the cookies.
In summary, each ingredient in this M&M cookie recipe plays its part in creating the final, delightful product. Whether it’s the richness from the butter, the chewiness from the sugars, the structure from the flour, or the colourful fun from the M&M’s, all combine to make a cookie that’s a joy to bake and eat.
Expert Tip: Experiment with the size of your cookie dough scoops. Smaller scoops will give you crispier cookies, while larger scoops result in softer, chewier cookies.
Absolutely! You can easily make M&M cookies gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Do keep in mind that this might slightly change the texture of the cookies, but they’ll still be delicious!
To keep your M&M cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay good for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before freezing.
Yes, you can! Feel free to experiment with different varieties of M&M’s, like peanut, peanut butter, or even the mini versions. Each type will give a unique twist to the flavour and texture of the cookies.
If you’re out of brown sugar, you can use more granulated sugar as a substitute. However, keep in mind that brown sugar contributes to the chewiness and adds a rich, molasses-like flavour to the cookies, which you’ll miss with just granulated sugar.
Certainly! You can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Chilling the dough can also help in getting thicker cookies. If you choose to refrigerate it, just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping it onto your baking sheet.
The cookies are done when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centres are still soft. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes. They’ll continue to cook a bit more as they cool on the baking sheet, so it’s okay if they seem a bit underdone when you take them out of the oven.
Expert Tip: If you’re after a richer flavour, try browning the butter before adding it to the sugar. Browned butter adds a nutty, caramelised flavour that elevates the overall taste of the M&M cookies.
Here are some more recipes for you to enjoy! If you my recipes don’t forget to rate and leave a comment.
If you have any recipe suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask me. A great way to stay in contact with me is through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Don’t forget to tag me @CookwithNabeela in your recipe photos!
Subscribe now to receive my latest recipes directly in your inbox. Stay up-to-date and never miss out!
I love to cook! I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family-friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.
Add your first comment to this post