Easter is all about pastel colors, sweet treats, and spending time with loved ones. And what better way to celebrate than with a batch of Easter M&M Cookies? These soft, chewy, bakery-style cookies are loaded with festive pastel M&M’s, making them a fun and colorful addition to your holiday dessert table.
Whether you’re baking them for an Easter brunch, a school party, or simply to enjoy at home, these cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They have the perfect balance of crispy edges and soft, chewy centers, making each bite absolutely irresistible. Plus, they’re easy to make with just a handful of pantry staples, so you won’t have to stress about complicated baking techniques. Let’s dive into this delicious Easter cookie recipe!
Why You’ll Love These Easter M&M Cookies
- Soft and Chewy Texture – Crisp on the edges, soft and gooey in the middle.
- Festive and Fun – Perfect for Easter celebrations with pastel-colored M&M’s.
- Quick and Easy – No fancy techniques or chilling required!
- Perfectly Sweet – A rich vanilla cookie base with bursts of chocolate from M&M’s.
- Great for Gifting – Package them in cute Easter bags for a homemade treat.
Preparation Time and Yield
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 20-25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 180
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 15g
Ingredients for Easter M&M Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pastel Easter M&M’s
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Easter M&M Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is important for creating a soft, chewy cookie texture.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Mix in the eggs one at a time, ensuring they are fully incorporated. Then, add the vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Step 5: Fold in the M&M’s and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the pastel M&M’s and white chocolate chips (if using) with a spatula. Save a handful of M&M’s to press on top of the cookies before baking for a bakery-style look.
Step 6: Scoop and Arrange
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will still look soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm or store them for later!
Ingredient Background
The magic behind these Easter M&M Cookies comes from a combination of simple but well-balanced ingredients. The butter and sugar form the base of the cookie dough, creating that classic chewy texture. Brown sugar is especially important because it adds moisture and a subtle caramel-like flavor, while granulated sugar contributes to the crisp edges.
The all-purpose flour provides structure, ensuring the cookies hold their shape while remaining soft inside. Meanwhile, baking soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookies rise slightly and preventing them from becoming too dense. Eggs play a crucial role by binding everything together, giving the dough a smooth, pliable consistency.
The vanilla extract enhances the flavor, adding warmth and depth to the dough. But, of course, the star of the show is the pastel Easter M&M’s! These colorful chocolate candies not only add a pop of color but also provide a satisfying crunch and bursts of chocolate in every bite. For extra indulgence, white chocolate chips can be added to complement the sweetness of the M&M’s.
Technique Tips for Easter M&M Cookies
Baking the perfect M&M cookies is easy, but a few expert tips can take them to the next level. One of the most crucial steps is creaming the butter and sugars properly. Make sure your butter is softened, but not melted, before mixing. Beating the butter and sugars together for at least 2-3 minutes incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in cookies that are light and tender.
When adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stir gently and avoid overmixing. Overworking the dough can lead to tough cookies instead of soft, chewy ones. Mix just until the flour disappears, and then stop. If the dough feels too soft, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps control spreading and ensures the cookies bake evenly.
Another key trick is pressing extra M&M’s on top of the cookies right before baking. This makes them look more festive and bakery-style while also ensuring that every cookie has a good distribution of chocolatey goodness. If you like your cookies to be slightly gooey in the center, pull them out of the oven when they still look a little underbaked. They’ll continue to firm up on the baking sheet as they cool.
Alternative Presentation Ideas
Easter M&M Cookies are already adorable with their pastel colors, but there are plenty of ways to make them even more festive. For a fun Easter basket treat, wrap a few cookies in cellophane bags, tie them with a pastel ribbon, and add a cute gift tag. These make great party favors for kids and adults alike.
For a more elegant dessert table, arrange the cookies on a tiered serving platter alongside other Easter-themed treats like cupcakes or chocolate-covered strawberries. Adding a dusting of powdered sugar or drizzling melted white chocolate on top can elevate their appearance even further.
If you want to make a cookie sandwich, spread a layer of vanilla or cream cheese frosting between two cookies for an indulgent twist. These cookie sandwiches look extra special when placed in Easter-themed cupcake liners and served on a decorative plate.
Freezing and Storing Easter M&M Cookies
If you somehow manage not to eat the whole batch in one sitting, these cookies store beautifully. For short-term storage, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To maintain their soft texture, place a slice of bread inside the container—this helps regulate moisture and prevents the cookies from drying out.
For longer storage, you can refrigerate the cookies for up to a week. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving, as chilled cookies can become firm. To reheat and restore their freshness, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, and they’ll taste just as delicious as when they first came out of the oven.
If you want to freeze these cookies, you have two options. You can either freeze the fully baked cookies in an airtight bag for up to 3 months or freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls. To freeze the dough, scoop individual portions onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Healthier Twist Ideas
If you’d like to make a lighter version of these cookies, there are plenty of easy substitutions. Instead of all-purpose flour, try using whole wheat flour for added fiber and a slightly nuttier flavor. You can also swap out half of the butter for unsweetened applesauce or Greek yogurt to reduce the fat content while maintaining a soft texture.
To cut down on sugar, consider using coconut sugar instead of brown sugar or reducing the total amount of sugar in the recipe by ¼ cup. The natural sweetness of M&M’s will still ensure the cookies taste delicious. Another great swap is using dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for a less sweet but richer chocolatey flavor.
For a higher-protein cookie, add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the flour mixture. You can also include chopped nuts, like almonds or walnuts, for extra crunch and heart-healthy fats. If you’re looking for a dairy-free version, simply use dairy-free butter and chocolate chips, and opt for plant-based M&M alternatives.
Serving Suggestions for Events
Easter M&M Cookies are the ultimate treat for any spring gathering, and there are plenty of ways to serve them in a creative way. If you’re hosting an Easter brunch, arrange the cookies on a dessert platter alongside a pastel-colored fruit salad, lemon bars, and a light vanilla mousse for a well-balanced spread.
For kid-friendly Easter celebrations, turn cookie decorating into a fun activity. Bake the cookies ahead of time and set up a decorating station with melted chocolate, extra M&M’s, colorful sprinkles, and piping bags filled with frosting. Let kids (and adults) unleash their creativity and decorate their own cookies.
If you’re bringing these cookies to an Easter potluck or family gathering, consider stacking them inside a mason jar and tying a ribbon around the lid. This makes for a beautiful, mess-free way to transport them, and it doubles as a gift for the host.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use regular M&M’s instead of Easter M&M’s?
Yes! The only difference is the color, so feel free to use classic M&M’s or any seasonal variety.
2. Do I need to chill the dough?
No, but if your kitchen is warm or the dough feels too soft, chilling it for 15-20 minutes can help prevent spreading.
3. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version.
4. How do I make these cookies dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter and chocolate chips to make them completely dairy-free.
5. Can I substitute the M&M’s with another candy?
Absolutely! Try using chopped chocolate bars, Reese’s Pieces, or peanut butter chips for a fun twist.
6. How do I get my cookies to look more professional?
Press extra M&M’s on top before baking and use a cookie scoop for uniform size.
7. Why are my cookies too hard?
They may have been overbaked. Remove them from the oven when they look slightly underdone, as they’ll continue cooking on the baking sheet.
8. Can I make these cookies without eggs?
Yes! Substitute each egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
9. How long will these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly, they’ll stay soft for up to 5 days at room temperature.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Simply double all the ingredients, but bake in batches to ensure even baking.
Conclusion
Easter M&M Cookies are the perfect festive treat for springtime celebrations. They’re soft, chewy, colorful, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re baking them for an Easter brunch, gifting them to friends, or simply indulging in a sweet homemade treat, these cookies are sure to bring smiles all around. Try making a batch today—you won’t regret it!