Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies: An Easy No-Chill Recipe
- kkottraba
- Apr 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 16
I have always loved M&M cookies, and I’m a complete sucker for a chewy sugar cookie. Creating a cookie that marries both of these things was near and dear to my little baking heart! These Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies are pillowy soft, yet crunchy from the delicious M&M candies, and packed with that home-baked flavor we all love. Let’s take a deep dive into this recipe!
Why You'll Love Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies
Classic:Â What's more timeless than a sugar cookie? Well, arguably a chocolate chip cookie, but... these cookies are very basic and easy to make, yet have such a classic and timeless taste. This will be a recipe you'll come back to time and time again!
Versatile:Â You can create so many fun variations of these sugar cookies. Try using festive-colored M&M's for the holidays. As you can see, I made these pastel for Easter or Spring. Trade the M&M's for Reese's Pieces, Andes Mint pieces, or Toffee Bits, or completely skip the candies and add cream cheese or buttercream frosting with sprinkles instead!
Texture:Â The texture of Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies is insane! They are actually very chewy and yet pillowy soft. When you bite into them, they also give you that crunch from the M&M's. They are truly bakery-worthy!
Easy: These cookies are so easy to make—there’s no refrigeration time, and they come together from dough to cookie in 40 minutes! These would make the perfect, easy, and festive Easter dessert. A no-fuss cookie that is also show-stopping? That's a no-brainer!
Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies Recipe
These chewy M&M sugar cookies are a fun and colorful twist on the classic sugar cookie. With a soft, buttery texture, a burst of vanilla flavor, and plenty of milk chocolate M&M's in every bite, this recipe is perfect for cookie lovers of all ages!
Ingredients
2 sticks (16 Tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent cookies from sticking.
Prepare the Butter: Softening the butter is key for the perfect texture. If the butter is at room temperature, microwave it for 20 seconds at 40% power. If it’s cold, microwave at 40% power for 30 seconds to 1 minute, checking every 15 seconds to prevent it from melting. The butter should be soft enough to press your finger into but not melted.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the softened butter and beat on medium speed with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, one egg, and egg yolk. Mix on medium speed until fully combined and fluffy. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, 1 cup at a time. Allow the dough to come together, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Add the M&M’s: Pour the M&M's into a small bowl. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough into balls and press the domed top of each dough ball into the M&M's, ensuring about 8 M&M's are on top. Gently press the candies into the dough to secure them.
Bake the Cookies: Place the M&M-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy your chewy M&M sugar cookies!
Tips for Perfect Cookies
Use Softened Butter:Â Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best texture in your cookies. You should be able to gently press the tip of your finger into the stick of butter.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined to keep your cookies chewy not rubbery.
Press M&M’s into Dough: You may need to use gentle pressure with your finger to push a few extra M&M's into the tops of dough balls. Try to keep the candies on the top. The dough balls will expand while baking and if there are M&M's on the side they will make the cookies less round.
Common Questions About Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies!
Can I make these cookies ahead and freeze them? Yes! Click HERE for more details!
Can I add food coloring to the dough to make them more colorful? Yes! Add the food coloring to the dough with the wet ingredients as you are adding the vanilla extract!
What should I store these cookies in? I would store the sugar cookies in an airtight container. These are my favorite containers!
How long will these cookies stay fresh? Cookies are best for us to 5 days, if they last that long :)
Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies Can You Freeze Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies?
Yes, this cookie dough is great for prepping ahead! You can freeze the batch of dough in a container or double-wrapped in plastic wrap. Just let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before scooping into balls and baking. Or, you can scoop the cookie dough into balls ahead of time and then freeze them. If you’re going to try this method, I would freeze the dough balls on a cookie sheet 1 inch apart so they don’t stick together. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a gallon-size ziplock bag or an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake them, let the frozen cookie dough balls sit at room temperature for an hour or so. You may need to add an extra minute to the bake time if they are still cold.
You can also freeze these sugar cookies after they are baked. I recommend letting them cool completely, then storing them in an airtight container with parchment between the layers to prevent sticking. This will also keep them from getting freezer burn. You can store them for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat them, it’s best to let them thaw in the container at room temperature.
Did You Make Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies?
If you made this recipe I would LOVE to hear from you! Tag me in a post or story on Facebook or Instagram, or find me on Pinterest! Please, don't forget to leave me a review on this recipe. Have questions? Leave them in the comments below.
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