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These chewy M&M cookies are loaded with crunchy M&M’s for a childhood classic! Make these with all-purpose flour or follow the alternative directions for a gluten-free version.
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There are some treats that are essential to childhood.
Classic rice krispie treats. No-bake cookies. Funfetti cupcakes. My favorite chocolate chip cookies.
And M&M cookies, of course.
With everyone getting into their fall routines and Halloween coming up next month, it seemed like the perfect time to remind you about this recipe from my friend Erin from Texanerin Baking.
Whether you’re making these as an after-school treat, a surprise for some hard-working teachers, or as a way to use up leftover Halloween candy, these chewy cookies are always a hit.
Not to mention that you can easily make them gluten-free by following the alternative directions! So they really are perfect for everybody.
PERFECT M&M COOKIES
M&M cookies were a favorite of mine growing up. My mother never made them or bought them, so whenever other parents brought them to school parties, I made a beeline for the cookie tray!
Since the days of elementary school class parties, I’ve made my fair share of M&M cookies. I always just mixed the M&M’s into the dough and baked them up.
One thing that nagged at me is that they never looked as pretty as the cookies from my childhood.
So this time, I experimented with the best way of incorporating the M&M’s. I made them every way imaginable and finally found the best method.
My not-so-secret method
So here’s what you do:
Add the M&M’s to the dough like you normally do. Roll the dough into balls and don’t worry about having a lot of M&M’s peeking out.
After baking, add more M&M’s on top!
I like my M&M cookies to be loaded with M&M’s and so my recipe calls for a lot more M&M’s than other recipes I’ve seen.
These cookies are actually 1/3 M&M’s by weight! And that’s before you press more on top of the cookies after baking.
You can absolutely use fewer M&M’s or toss in some other add-ins like chocolate chips or walnuts.
HOW TO MAKE THESE M&M COOKIES
The best thing about this recipe is that you can make it with all-purpose flour or you can make these cookies gluten-free by following a super easy alternative option.
Gluten-free option
If you choose to make gluten-free M&M cookies, you will want to replace the 3 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour with a mixture of:
I know that the mixture above only yields 3 cups of flour, but it works perfectly to replace the all-purpose flour!
If you’re making these gluten-free, make sure you check that all of your other ingredients are certified gluten-free as well. Original M&M’s in the US are gluten-free, but some of the other varieties are not.
Making this recipe
These cookies come together much like most of the cookie recipes you’re probably familiar with, such as paleo double chocolate chip cookies or cornflake cookies.
Start by creaming together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix to combine.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour or the gluten-free flour mix combined with the leavening and salt. Add in the M&M’s.
If you’re making these with all-purpose flour:
- Roll the dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet into the freeze for 2 hours, or until the dough balls are firm.
If you’re making the gluten-free version:
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Roll the dough into balls and place on lined baking sheets.
Once the dough has chilled, bake the cookies for 16-20 minutes. If you’re baking in batches, make sure you keep the dough you haven’t baked in the freezer or refrigerator until it’s ready to go in the oven.
When the cookies are done, press some extra M&M’s into the tops if you like. Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling.
STORAGE
Store these M&M cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
If you’d like to freeze them, store them in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag in the freezer for up to a month.
You can also freeze the dough so that you can enjoy these cookies warm from the oven any time! Follow my instructions for how to freeze cookie dough to do that.
M&M Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour or the gluten-free baking mix listed below*
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups M&Ms
- additional M&Ms to press on top optional
*For the gluten-free baking mix:
- 2 cups rice flour
- ⅔ cup potato starch
- ⅓ cup tapioca flour
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Set the bowl aside.
- In a large mixing bowl using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla at low speed until well combined.
- On low, gradually add the flour mixture and beat just until combined. Beat in the M&Ms on low.
- If making the all-purpose flour version, roll into 1 1/2″ balls (about 65 grams) – pushing any M&Ms that stick out back in. If your dough is too soft to roll into proper balls, refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until firm. Freeze dough balls on a lined baking sheet for 2 hours, or until firm.
- If making the gluten-free version, freezing is not necessary. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours. Then roll into balls.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F for the all-purpose flour version or 375° F for the gluten-free version.
- Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Place the dough balls 4″ apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 16-20 minutes or until lightly and evenly browned. Keep unused dough frozen or refrigerated until ready to bake if baking in batches.
- Remove from the oven and immediately press more M&Ms on top of each cookie, if desired. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What if i dont have cream of tartar?
Hi Keira – There’s really no good substitute for cream of tartar. It can be found in the spice aisle at the grocery store, though, in the smaller jars. Hope this helps!
Jamie
These came out amazing! I used the all purpose flour version, omitted the salt since salted butter was what I had and used. With the exception of the salt, I followed the recipe verbatim. I measured my dough balls out with an even 1/4 cup measuring cup. That to me looks like 1 1/2” diameter balls. My oven is older and not the greatest. I had to cook for 22 minutes. They are round, puffy, moist and chewy. They did not spread to be more than 3”. The candies inside stayed in tact also. So they are perfectly melted inside but the candy coating holds together without breaking. For those complaining about flat crunchy cookies or dry dough… freeze for a minimum of 2 hours. Don’t skip that! Also you want to sift and like she says measure your flour with a spoon to the cup. Don’t pack it down tight. Also, when mixing the ingredients before adding the M&M’s, slow down for the last cup of flour. You can tell when it’s the right consistency. I live in AZ where it is dry, I probably used about 1/4 cup less flour. This comes down to paying attention to consistency when adding the dry ingredient mixture one cup at a time.
Definitely make these!
So glad you enjoyed the cookies, Stormy! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking!
Hi Jamie!
Loved the cookies taste, but the edges were really hard, do you know why (w/gluten)?
Hmmm, I’m not really sure why that would have happened.
I love M&M cookies
Thanks so much for stopping by, Kimberly! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
I just made these today for a music party tonight. These are by far the BEST m&m cookies I have ever made. This is absolutely the best recipe. I did chill the dough for just a little bit but made no changes to the recipe. Thank you for sharing!!
So happy to hear you enjoyed the cookies, Margaret! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
I made these for my son’s soccer team this weekend. The cookies were a huge hit! I’ve only ever made MnM cookies from another food blogger’s recipe, which called for whole wheat. But these were even better — to make & to enjoy. I was slightly concerned by how crispy they turned out, but everyone loved them. I guess it’s because I expected MnM cookies to be soft and chewy. Works out because I prefer crisper cookies. I made a ton and only five are left for my husband.
So glad to hear you enjoyed them. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and leave feedback!
-Jamie