If you are looking for an amazing cookie recipe for the holidays you are in the right place! This is the best M&M cookies recipe! Easy and straightforward to make, pretty to look at and a joy to eat! These giant cookies take less than 30 minutes to make.

 M&M Cookies on a white surface

Holiday season means cookie exchanges and sweet treats and these cookies are so festive! This is such a great recipe, even if I do say so myself!

How to Make The Best M&M Cookies Recipe

  • Heat oven to 350°F and adjust baking rack to middle position. Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, add granulated sugar and brown sugar. Turn mixer to low and mix just to combine.
  • Add shortening and softened butter, turn mixer to medium and beat 3 minutes or until lighter in color and smooth.
  • Add vanilla and beat on medium 30 seconds.
  • Add eggs one-at-a-time, mixing just until incorporated after each addition. Turn off the mixer.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and coarse salt and kosher salt.
  • Add flour mixture to the sugar/butter mixture and turn mixer to low speed. Mix just until flour mixture is incorporated.
  • Fold in 1¾ cup M&M candies.
  • If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
  • Drop the dough, using a 2” scoop (about 1½ tablespoons), onto the baking sheets about 2-inches apart (12 cookies to a baking sheet).
  • Press 3-4 additional candies into each cookie.
  • Bake cookies at 350°F for 9 minutes or just until the edges of the cookies start to set and are a little firmer to the touch.
  • Place baking sheets with cookies on a cooling rack for 2 minutes, then transfer cookies directly to the cooling rack.
  • Enjoy the best M&M Cookies!

 M&M Cookies just out of the oven

Close up of a M&M Cookie

How do you know when the cookies are done baking?

These cookies don’t take long to bake, just 9 minutes, so keep your eye on them. Bake them just until the edges of the cookies start to set and are a little firmer to the touch. The edges should brown just ever so slightly. The cookies will continue to bake once they are removed from the oven and will harden as they cool.

  • This recipe makes a batch of 30 cookies, so it’s a great recipe for a cookie exchange – lots to go around!
  • Brown sugar is used in the cookies for a richer and deeper flavor.
  • The dough doesn’t need to be rested if you are short on time.
  • They are ready in less than 30 minutes.

 M&M Cookies stacked on top of eachother

A stack of cookies

The Best M&M cookies are perfect for all of your holiday needs!

If you are like me, during the festive period there are always cookies out for people! I like to have at least a couple of batches on the go at all times! Once these coolies have cooled to room temperature, store them in an airtight container and the will be good for about 3 days. You can also freeze the cookies and then thaw them at room temperature.

If you want a more chocolatey version of this, try these M&M Brownie Cookies.

Close up of cookies

Top Tips to Make The Best M&M Cookies Recipe

  • If coarse sea salt isn’t available, use 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
  • If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
  • Let the cookies cool slightly before moving them to the cooling rack.

cookies on a work top

Recipe Card

M&M Cookies Recipe

4.49 from 75 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 30 cookies
Author: Becky Hardin
top shot of several freshly baked m&m cookies
If you are looking for an amazing cookie recipe for the holidays you are in the right place! This is the best M&M cookies recipe! Easy and straightforward to make, pretty to look at and a joy to eat! These giant cookies take less than 30minutes to make.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar 213 grams
  • cup vegetable shortening 123 grams (⅔ stick)
  • cup unsalted butter 151 grams, room temperature (1⅓ stick)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
  • 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
  • cup all-purpose flour 330 grams
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
  • ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt (SEE NOTE)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • cups M&M's candies 425 grams, divided

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and adjust baking rack to middle position. Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the granulated sugar and brown sugar together on low until just combined.
    1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • Add the shortening and butter, turn mixer to medium speed, and beat until lighter in color and smooth, about 3 minutes.
    ⅔ cup vegetable shortening, ⅔ cup unsalted butter
  • Add the vanilla and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds.
    2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated after each addition. Turn off the mixer.
    2 large eggs
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, coarse salt, and kosher salt together.
    2¾ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Add the flour mixture to the sugar/butter mixture and turn the mixer to low speed. Mix just until flour mixture is incorporated.
  • Fold in 1¾ cup M&M candies.
    2½ cups M&M's candies
  • If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
  • Drop the dough, using a 2-inch cookie scoop (about 1½ tablespoons), onto the baking sheets about 2 inches apart (12 cookies to a baking sheet).
  • Press 3-4 additional candies into each cookie.
  • Bake cookies at 350°F for 9 minutes, or just until the edges of the cookies start to set and are a little firmer to the touch.
  • Place baking sheets with cookies on a cooling rack for 2 minutes, then transfer cookies directly to the cooling rack.

Video

Becky's Tips

  • NOTE: If coarse sea salt isn’t available, use 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
  • If time allows, cover, refrigerate and let the dough rest 1-24 hours. If time doesn’t allow, the cookies can be baked immediately and are still terrific without the rest time.
  • Let the cookies cool slightly before moving them to the cooling rack.
Storage: Store M&M cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. 
Serving: 1cookieCalories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 134mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 183IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.49 from 75 votes (64 ratings without comment)
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21 Comments
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Sharon Lamar
Sharon Lamar
December 31, 2021 3:46 pm

I’m messed these up bc I didn’t have shortening. I looked up a substitute for shortening and read that butter could be substituted 1:1 for shortening. WRONG! it was runny, buttery river of M&Ms. I’m a novice baker – Most bakers would have known better. Saving the recipe for another time! I’ll do it right next time.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 5, 2022 11:12 am
Reply to  Sharon Lamar

Let the dough chill in the fridge for a while before baking!

Donna
Donna
December 23, 2021 2:48 pm

I only gave regular table salt. How much would I substitute for the other salts??4 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 29, 2021 10:38 am
Reply to  Donna

Half the amount!

Neva
Neva
June 25, 2021 10:39 pm

How many cookies does the recipe make?5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
June 30, 2021 10:47 am
Reply to  Neva

30 cookies!

Angela T.
Angela T.
March 13, 2021 3:58 pm

These cookies were absolutely fantastic! My go-to recipe from now on!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 17, 2021 1:48 pm
Reply to  Angela T.

Thanks for sharing!!

Natalie
Natalie
October 25, 2019 11:50 am

Love that these are loaded with m&m’s & big! One of the best cookies!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 2, 2019 6:25 pm
Reply to  Natalie

I’m happy to hear you loved these!

Rachael Yerkes
Rachael Yerkes
October 25, 2019 11:47 am

these cookies are so great5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 3, 2019 12:17 pm
Reply to  Rachael Yerkes

Thank you, Rachael!

Nicki
Nicki
October 25, 2019 11:42 am

Have you ever made this in bar pan form rather than individual cookies?

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 2, 2019 6:26 pm
Reply to  Nicki

I haven’t yet, but that’s a great idea!

Sara
Sara
October 25, 2019 10:36 am

My kids love these cookies – and pretty much everything M&M!5 stars

katerina @ diethood.com
katerina @ diethood.com
October 25, 2019 10:16 am

My kids are going to LOVE these!! Perfect for the holidays!5 stars

Ashley F
Ashley F
October 25, 2019 10:09 am

These came out so good! My kids helped me make them so we didn’t refrigerate the dough first but still a hit!5 stars