Oh my gosh, Valentine’s Day just isn’t complete without a batch of these soft, chewy M&M cookies, is it? I’ve been making these every February since I was a kid – they’re the perfect way to spread some love (and sugar!) to friends and family. The best part? They’re seriously foolproof. Even if you’re the type who burns toast, you can handle these. That gorgeous mix of red and pink M&Ms peeking out from golden cookie dough? Pure magic. And trust me, that first bite of warm cookie with melty chocolate bits? You’ll be making these every year too.
Ingredients for Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies
Okay, let’s gather our goodies! The secret to these cookies is using real butter – softened, but not melted – and packed brown sugar (press it into your measuring cup like you mean it!). Here’s everything you’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes!)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar (dark brown adds extra richness)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature blends better)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (the good stuff – no imitation!)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (spoon & level it – don’t scoop!)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups Valentine’s Day M&M candies (plus extra for pressing on top!)
Pro tip: If your butter’s too cold? Microwave it for 5-second bursts – you want it soft enough to leave a fingerprint, not a puddle!
Print1 Perfect Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies Recipe – Sweet & Chewy
Delicious and colorful M&M cookies perfect for Valentine’s Day. These soft and chewy cookies are packed with M&M candies for a festive treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups Valentine’s Day M&M candies
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the M&M candies.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For extra color, press a few additional M&M candies onto the tops of the cookies right after baking.
- You can use any seasonal M&M variety for different holidays.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
How to Make Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies
Alright, let’s get baking! These cookies come together so easily, just follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of soft, chewy, colorful delights in no time. Trust me, your kitchen will smell like a bakery, and your Valentine will be swooning!
Mixing the Dough
First, grab your trusty mixer (or a big bowl and some elbow grease). Cream together that softened butter with both sugars until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 minutes should do it. Now, crack in those eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Splash in the vanilla and give it another quick stir. Oh, that smell? Heavenly.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to your wet ingredients, mixing just until combined, don’t overdo it! Now, the fun part: gently fold in those festive M&Ms. I like to save a handful to press on top later for extra color.
Baking and Cooling
Preheat that oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper, trust me, it’s a lifesaver. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart (these babies spread a little!). Bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges are just golden, the centers might look soft, but they’ll firm up. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack. Resist the urge to eat them immediately (okay, maybe sneak one warm, I won’t tell).
Tips for Perfect Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies
Want bakery-worthy cookies every time? Here are my tried-and-true tricks! First, don’t overmix the dough, stop as soon as the flour disappears. Overworked dough = tough cookies. And that parchment paper? Non-negotiable for easy cleanup and perfect browning. My favorite trick? Right when the cookies come out of the oven, press a few extra M&Ms on top, they’ll stay vibrant instead of fading in the oven. Oh, and if your dough feels sticky? Pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes, cold dough spreads less. Last tip: underbake slightly for that dreamy chewy center!
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
Ran out of unsalted butter? No sweat, just use salted butter and reduce the added salt by half. Gluten-free friends, swap in your favorite 1:1 flour blend (I’ve had great results with Bob’s Red Mill). Out of brown sugar? White sugar works in a pinch, though you’ll miss that caramel depth. And here’s my favorite trick, swap those Valentine’s M&Ms for pastel Easter ones, green/red Christmas colors, or even classic rainbow for year-round fun. The dough’s your canvas!
Storing and Freezing Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies
Let’s be real, these cookies never last long in my house! But if you’ve got leftovers (miraculously), stash them in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days. Pro tip: toss in a slice of bread to keep them soft, the cookies steal the moisture! Want to prep ahead? Freeze baked cookies between parchment layers for 3 months (thaw at room temp), or roll dough into balls and freeze raw, just add 1-2 minutes to bake time straight from the freezer. Easy-peasy!
Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies FAQs
Can I use mini M&Ms instead of regular ones?
Absolutely! Mini M&Ms work great, just use the same amount by volume. The cookies will have more chocolate in every bite, and the colors stay super vibrant. I’ve even mixed mini and regular for fun texture contrast. Just don’t use those giant Valentine’s M&Ms, they’ll make your cookies spread weirdly.
Why did my cookies turn out flat?
Oh no, been there! Usually, it’s one of three things: butter too soft/melted (fingerprint test it!), old baking soda (check the expiration date), or overcrowded baking sheets. If your dough feels greasy, chill it for 20 minutes before baking. And always measure flour correctly, too little makes cookies spread like pancakes!
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes! This dough actually gets better after chilling overnight (flavors meld beautifully). Just wrap it tightly and refrigerate up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temp for 15 minutes before scooping, it’ll be firmer but still bake up perfectly.
How do I keep the M&Ms from bleeding color?
Toss them in 1 tablespoon of flour before folding in! This little trick creates a barrier so the colors stay crisp. Also, avoid overmixing once they’re added, gentle folds keep those reds and pinks picture-perfect.
Nutritional Information
Just a quick heads up, these nutritional values are estimates since cookies can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. I always say life’s too short to stress over cookie math, but if you’re tracking, bake with love and enjoy every bite!
I’d love to see your cookie creations! Snap a photo of those gorgeous red-and-pink studded beauties and tag me, nothing makes me happier than seeing these Valentine’s Day M&M cookies spreading joy in your kitchen. Did you add a special twist? Leave a review below and let’s swap cookie secrets!
For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, check out Family Tastes.