Festive Christmas Cookies with Red & Green M&M’s

These festive Christmas cookies with red and green M&M’s are not only delicious but also a joy to make and share. Bake a batch (or two) and watch them disappear as family and friends gather around to celebrate the holiday season. Happy holidays!

Christmas is a magical time of year, filled with joy, twinkling lights, and plenty of sweet treats. One of the best ways to spread holiday cheer is by baking festive cookies for your loved ones. These Christmas cookies with red and green M&M’s are a delightful addition to any holiday gathering, Christmas cookie platter, or cookie party. Not only are they colorful and fun, but they also offer a perfect balance of soft, chewy texture and chocolatey goodness.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for an easy holiday recipe, there is a reason these cookies will become one of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes. They’re simple to make, require basic ingredients, and are a hit with kids and adults alike. Let’s dive into why these cookies deserve a spot on your Christmas baking list and how to make them step by step.

Why You’ll Love these M&M Christmas Cookies

• Festive and Fun: The red and green M&M’s bring a cheerful holiday vibe to your cookie platter.
• Easy to Make: No fancy techniques, rolling pin, or even a cookie cutter are required, making this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Kid-Friendly: Kids will love helping to add the colorful M&M’s or rolling the dough into balls.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are ideal for gifting or bringing to a holiday party.
• Soft and Chewy Cookies: Thanks to the applesauce and cornstarch, these cookies stay soft and delicious even after cooling.

A Breakdown of the Ingredients in this Easy Recipe

• Butter: Provides a rich flavor and helps achieve a soft, tender texture. Buttery cookies? Yes please!
• Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: The mix of sugars ensures a balanced sweetness and helps the cookies stay moist.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: A great alternative to eggs, adding moisture and a hint of natural sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor profile of the cookies.
• Flour: Forms the structure of the cookies. I used AP flour, but wheat flour will add some additional nutrients. 
• Cornstarch: Ensures a soft and chewy texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and prevents them from being too dense.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolatey goodness.
• Holiday M&M’s: The star of the recipe, providing festive color and a fun crunch.

How to Make Festive Christmas Cookies

1. Prep the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer or large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This step ensures your cookies have a consistent texture and flavor.
3. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: From a separate bowl, gradually add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix the flour mixture and wet ingredients  until everything is just combined; overmixing can lead to tougher cookies.
4. Add the Chocolate Chips and M&M’s: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and holiday M&M’s with a spatula or wooden spoon. Be careful not to crush the M&M’s.
5. Shape the Dough: Scoop out 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and roll it into a ball. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. The cookies may look slightly underbaked when you take them out, but they will continue to set as they cool.
2. Cool: Allow the baked cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

How to Store the Recipe these Drop Cookies

• Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help keep them soft.
• Freezer: These cookies freeze beautifully! Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Dough Storage: If you want to prepare the dough ahead of time or make a double batch to bake later, you can refrigerate it for up to 48 hours or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just let it come to room temperature before baking.

Tips for Making the a Delicious Cookie

• Use Room Temperature Butter: This helps the ingredients blend together more easily and creates a smoother dough.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can lead to dense cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Customize the Colors: Swap out the M&M colors for different holidays or occasions.
• Test Bake: If you’re unsure about your oven’s temperature, bake a test cookie first to ensure even baking.
• Make Them Extra Festive: Incorporate different colors of gel food coloring, and red and green sprinkles to enhance these festive cookies