Enjoy the season with these merry cookies packed with green and red M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and a flurry of holiday sprinkles. Don’t forget to share the love with Santa and leave him a treat as sweet as the spirit of giving—because even the big guy deserves a taste of happiness on Christmas Eve.
Holidays without a steady cookie stash? That’s a no-go for me. When it’s cookie time for Santa, my top pick is always these M&M Pudding Cookies. They’re easy to whip up, with straightforward ingredients, and a hit with the kids every time.
Baking cookies is a solid holiday tradition I’ve never given up on. It’s the go-to for indoor coziness during the cold weather and a perfect gift for friends and family come Christmas.
Related: Christmas Italian Cookies
And these are not just any cookies, they’re Santa’s favorite- soft, chewy, and loaded with M&M goodness, making them the perfect snack to keep the big guy fueled. Get ready, Christmas and cookies are on the way.
Why You’ll Love Making Santa’s Favorite Cookie Recipe
- Quick and easy, simple recipe for hassle-free baking.
- Colorful M&M’s for a festive look.
- Kid-friendly with easy steps for little helpers.
- Santa’s pick -soft, chewy, and approved by the big man himself.
- Festive tradition, a must-have for holiday joy!
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure for the cookies.
- Baking Soda: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookies rise.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor profile of the cookies.
- Butter: Adds richness and a buttery flavor to the cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough, contributing to the overall taste.
- Instant White Chocolate Pudding Mix (or Vanilla flavor): Enhances the texture and flavor of the cookies.
- Eggs: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses a warm, aromatic flavor into the cookies.
- White Chocolate Chips: Introduces creamy pockets of sweetness.
- Favorite Christmas Sprinkles: Decorate and add a festive touch.
- Red/Green M&M’s: Bring in bursts of color and chocolatey goodness.
Substitutions
- All-Purpose Flour: Can be substituted with a gluten-free flour blend for dietary preferences.
- Butter: Unsalted butter can be substituted for regular butter, but you’ll also need to increase the salt in the recipe by a 1/4 teaspoon.
- Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar or coconut sugar for a slightly different sweetness. This will alter the texture.
- Instant White Chocolate Pudding Mix: Instant vanilla or cheesecake pudding mix is a suitable alternative.
- Large Eggs: Applesauce, mashed bananas, or yogurt can be used as egg replacements for a vegan option.
- Vanilla Extract: Almond or peppermint extract for a unique flavor twist.
- White Chocolate Chips: Dark or milk chocolate chips for a variation.
- Favorite Christmas Sprinkles: Customized sprinkles or crushed nuts for a personal touch.
- Red/Green M&M’s: Use other colorful candies or chocolate chunks for a diverse mix and depending on the holiday. Can also use any color M&M’s.
How to Make M&M Cookies
Expert Tips
- Use slightly softened butter for a tender, soft texture. Avoid melting it completely.
- Chill the dough for at least an hour before baking. This enhances the flavors, makes the dough easier to handle and prevents spreading in the oven.
- Use a small ice cream scoop for consistent cookie size. This helps with even baking and a polished appearance.
- Keep a close eye on the cookies in the oven. They’re done when the edges turn slightly golden. Remember, they may seem underdone, but they firm up as they cool.
- Feel free to mix and match add-ins like nuts, dried fruits, or different chocolate varieties to create your signature cookie.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I freeze the cookie dough? Yes. Portion the dough into balls and freeze. When ready to bake, no need to thaw—just add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
How long do the cookies stay fresh? Stored in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for about a week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies and thaw when needed.
Can I use different pudding flavors? Yes. Experiment with flavors like vanilla, cheesecake or even butterscotch for a unique twist.
Can I reduce the sugar for a less sweet version? Yes, you can adjust the sugar to suit your preference. Keep in mind that it might alter the texture and sweetness of the cookies.
Can I use different colored M&M’s for other occasions? Absolutely. Customize the M&M colors to match various themes or events throughout the year.
Can I make these cookies smaller or larger? Yes. Adjust the size based on preference, but be mindful of the baking time—smaller cookies will need less time, and larger ones will need more.
More Holiday Cookies to Make
- Chocolate Peppermint Crackles
- The Easiest Triple Chocolate KISS Cookies
- Kit-Kat Cookies
- Cashew Filled Sugar Cookies
- Butterscotch Cookies
- Cake Batter Cookies
- Monster Cookies
- Corn Lime Cookies
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M&M Christmas Cookies
Equipment
- Stand Mixer or hand mixer
- silicone baking mats for cookies or without markings or parchment paper
Ingredients
M&M Christmas Cookies Ingredients:
- 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp table salt
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (3.4 oz.) package instant white chocolate pudding mix or vanilla flavor
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsps. vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup red/green M&M's, divided or any color
- favorite holiday sprinkles
Instructions
How to Make M&M Cookies:
- In a mixing bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1/4 tsp table salt
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with paddle attachment (if available) cream together butter and Sugar until fluffy and creamy; 2 minutes. Add powdered pudding mix and blend again until incorporated. Add eggs and vanilla, and blend again.1 cup butter, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 (3.4 oz.) package instant white chocolate pudding mix, 2 large eggs, 2 tsps. vanilla extract
- With mixer set on low speed, gradually add in dry ingredient mixture and mix until combined. Add white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup M&M’s, and mix into the dough. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour.1 cup white chocolate chips, 1 cup red/green M&M's, divided
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Scoop dough out with a small ice cream scoop, or a spoon, and roll into balls, about one inch in diameter.
- Place dough balls on parchment paper (or Silpat mat) lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart. Place extra M&M’s and White Chocolate Chips on the top of each dough ball.
- Bake 10-12 minutes (start checking at 8 minutes). Cookies are done when they barely begin to turn a little golden brown on the edges. (Cookies will seem slightly underdone, but they will continue cooking on the trays and form up once they cool. Do not overbake.)
- Remove baked cookies from oven and let them continue cooking on the trays. Place additional white chocolate chips and M&M's on top if desired, and sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles. When the cookies have set, transfer then to a cooling rack.favorite holiday sprinkles
Notes
Nutrition
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