Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe

Nothing quite says festive like a burst of color and crunch in every bite. That’s exactly what the Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe delivers—chewy edges, melty chocolate, salty pretzels, and crunchy potato chips come together in a cookie that feels like a party in your mouth.

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Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Why They Work
• Make It Your Way
• Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe
• Top Tip
• How to Serve Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe
• Make Ahead and Storage
• Frequently Asked Questions:
• Final Thoughts
• Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe brings together classic cookie basics with an exciting twist in mix-ins that create surprising bursts of flavor and texture.

• Salted Butter: Using salted butter adds depth and just the right amount of saltiness to balance sweetness. Make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
• Light Brown Sugar: It adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that keeps the cookies chewy and rich.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps create the perfect cookie structure and sweetness.
• Egg Yolks: Using yolks instead of whole eggs contributes to a tender and chewy texture.
• Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Pure vanilla brings warmth and rounds out the overall flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure. Be sure to spoon and level or weigh it to avoid dense cookies.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These help the cookies rise perfectly—don’t skip or substitute!
• Salt: Enhances flavors and balances sweetness.
• Red and Green M&M's: These colorful candies add both crunch and festive cheer.
• White Chocolate Chips: Smooth sweetness that melts beautifully in every bite.
• Pretzel Pieces: For that salty crunch that contrasts the sweetness.
• Potato Chip Pieces: Adds an unexpected crisp salty note for texture.
• Red and Green Jimmies: Optional, but perfect for the finishing festive touch.

Make It Your Way

I love how adaptable this Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe is. Play around with your favorite mix-ins or tweaked baking times for chewy or crisp cookies—it’s all about making it your own holiday tradition.

• Variation: One year, I swapped the M&Ms for crushed peppermint candies—such a festive peppermint twist! The kids adored the mint flavor combined with the salty pretzels.
• Nut-Friendly: Feel free to toss in chopped walnuts or pecans instead of or in addition to pretzels for some extra crunch and nuttiness.
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and keep an eye on the texture since gluten-free doughs can behave differently.
• Make It Vegan: Replace butter with coconut oil and use flax eggs for a plant-based take.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by softening your salted butter until it’s easy to work with but not melted. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter with the brown and granulated sugars for about two minutes. You want it light, airy, and fluffy—this is the foundation for tender cookies. I always scrape down the sides of my bowl halfway through to make sure everything blends perfectly.

Step 2: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Next, add in two room-temperature egg yolks and your vanilla bean paste or extract. I never skip room temperature yolks—they mix in better and help the cookies keep a tender crumb. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about two more minutes. This step helps bring a bit of lightness to the dough.

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients

Whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Then, gradually mix these dry ingredients into your wet batter until just combined. Don’t overmix here or your cookies can turn out dense. I find mixing slowly and stopping as soon as the flour disappears gives the best texture.

Step 4: Fold in the M&Ms and Mix-Ins

This part is the fun stage—gently fold in the red and green M&M's, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and colorful sprinkles. Use a spatula and fold just enough to evenly distribute the mix-ins without breaking them up too much. I always save a few extra for sprinkling on top before baking—that way, your cookies look as festive as they taste.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Scoop the dough into 20 equal-sized balls, spacing them about two inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Pop them into your preheated 350°F oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. I bake closer to 10 minutes if I want a softer center, 12 if I crave crispier edges. When fresh out of the oven, try using a large circular cookie cutter to gently swirl each cookie into a perfect shape—you'll be amazed at how polished they look!

Step 6: Cool and Store

Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes so they firm up without breaking. Then transfer them to a wire rack for at least 10 more minutes. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them fresh for up to three days, which is a blessing considering how fast they disappear!

How to Serve Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe

Garnishes

I like to add a sprinkle of extra red and green jimmies right on top before baking—they make the cookies look super festive and give a little extra texture. Sometimes, I toast some chopped nuts and scatter them on top for a gourmet touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect alongside a warm cup of cocoa or a glass of cold milk. They’re also a great addition to a holiday dessert platter with fudge, truffles, and peppermint bark.

Creative Ways to Present

One time, I stacked these cookies tied with a red ribbon as a gift for friends—and it was a big hit! You can also use cookie tins with festive tissue paper or arrange them in a colorful holiday-themed box for a charming presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. I prefer to layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and to keep the mix-ins from getting crushed.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking! Just place them on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, bake them straight from frozen—just add a minute or two to the bake time. This trick saved me on busy holiday mornings.

Reheating

If you want that fresh-baked warmth, pop leftover cookies in the microwave for 10 seconds or a few minutes in a low oven (300°F). It revives the softness and brings back the melty goodness without overcooking.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms and Mix-Ins Recipe is one of those holiday sweets that never disappoints. It’s become my go-to for festive gatherings because it’s fun to make, fun to eat, and always brings smiles. Trust me, once you try this, it might just become the cookie you bake every year for Christmas. Give it a go—I can’t wait to hear how you make it your own!

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