Christmas Cookies with M&Ms and White Chocolate Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and utterly delicious treat this holiday season, I’ve got you covered. My Christmas Cookies with M&Ms and White Chocolate Recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser with a delightful mix of sweet, salty, and everything in between. These cookies are the perfect blend of chewy textures and festive colors that will make your kitchen smell like Christmas and your family begging for seconds.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to create cookies that are chewy, crispy, and packed with flavor. I like to use real unsalted butter and be sure to measure the flour precisely to get that perfect texture.

• All-purpose flour: Make sure to spoon and level it for accurate measurement to avoid dense cookies.
• Baking powder & baking soda: These help your cookies rise just right.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
• Unsalted butter: I melt it and let it cool to keep the right texture.
• Dark brown sugar & granulated sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while white sugar bumps the crisp edges.
• Eggs: Bring richness and help bind everything perfectly.
• Vanilla extract: Always a must for warmth and depth of flavor.
• M&Ms (red and green): The star of the show for color and chocolatey bites.
• White chocolate chips: Sweet pockets of creamy goodness that contrast perfectly with the M&Ms.
• Pretzels: Broken into small pieces for that salty crunch that makes these cookies irresistible.
• Potato chips (salted and crushed): A little secret weapon in these cookies for a surprising texture.
• Holiday sprinkles (jimmies): Adds just that little extra festive touch.

Variations

I love how versatile this Christmas Cookies with M&Ms and White Chocolate Recipe is! Feel free to play around with your favorite mix-ins or to cater to dietary needs—you’ll find that slight swaps can offer big flavor changes.

• Nutty Twist: Swap pretzels for chopped pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch we’ve grown to adore in my family.
• Vegan Version: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use egg replacer to go plant-based without sacrificing texture.
• Extra Chocolaty: Add dark chocolate chunks or drizzle melted chocolate on top after baking for a richer indulgence.
• Seasonal Mix-ins: Try dried cranberries or candied ginger for new holiday flavors that surprise and delight.

How to Make Christmas Cookies with M&Ms and White Chocolate Recipe

Step 1: Melt Butter and Prepare Dry Ingredients

Start by melting the unsalted butter; then let it cool completely for about 20 minutes. You want it at room temperature, not hot, to avoid scrambling the eggs later. While the butter cools, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl—this ensures your leaveners are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Mix Sugars, Eggs, and Vanilla

Whisk the melted, cooled butter with the dark brown sugar and white granulated sugar until everything’s combined smoothly. Next, add the eggs one at a time and the vanilla extract. I usually beat everything together by hand with a whisk or a sturdy spoon here to keep things light and fluffy.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold in the dry flour mixture using a rubber spatula. Be sure not to overmix; stop once you see no more streaks of flour. This keeps your cookies tender and soft.

Step 4: Fold in the Fun Stuff

This is where the magic happens. Stir in the M&Ms, white chocolate chips, broken pretzels, crushed potato chips, and holiday sprinkles. I love how these mix-ins give every bite a little surprise of sweet or salty. Be sure to save some M&Ms and white chocolate chips to press on top of the cookies after baking for the prettiest presentation.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Scoop the dough using a 1 ½ oz ice cream scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop the dough into the fridge for 1 hour – this step helps the cookies keep their shape and develop better flavor. If you’re in a rush, freezing for 30 minutes works, too, just remember you’ll need to add a couple more minutes to baking time.

Step 6: Bake and Shape

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange six cookie dough balls spaced apart on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake for 13–15 minutes, turning the pan halfway through baking to brown the cookies evenly. Once out of the oven, while the cookies are still warm, press them gently with a large cookie cutter to create perfect rounds. Add a few extra M&Ms, white chocolate chips, pretzel bits or sprinkles to the top – these little finishing touches make them look irresistible.

How to Serve Christmas Cookies with M&Ms and White Chocolate Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with a few extra holiday sprinkles or even a tiny dusting of powdered sugar to make them look like snow-kissed gems. For a little extra flair, a drizzle of melted white or dark chocolate adds a festive finish that’s sure to wow guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa, eggnog, or even a mild, creamy chai latte. I often serve them alongside a tray of mini sandwiches or cheese boards during holiday parties for a sweet and savory combo.

Creative Ways to Present

When gifting, I wrap these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons or stack them in a pretty tin with parchment layers. For entertaining, arrange them on a tiered dessert stand alongside other holiday sweets for a visually stunning display that invites indulgence.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep the pretzels crunchy and the chips crisp, I separate layers with parchment paper. They taste just as fresh as the first day, guaranteed.

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a sheet pan, then transfer them to a resealable bag for up to 3 months. Alternatively, freeze the scooped dough balls before baking, which makes for quick fresh batches anytime—just thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

To refresh leftovers, pop the cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds. This brings back the soft chewiness without compromising their texture. Just be careful not to overheat or they’ll dry out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Cookies with M&Ms and White Chocolate Recipe brings together all my favorite festive flavors and textures in one delicious cookie. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or a holiday party, these cookies never disappoint. They’re fun to make, full of surprises in every bite, and perfect for sharing. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it might just become your new holiday tradition — I’m already looking forward to baking them again next Christmas!

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