Warm, festive cookies are the quickest way to bring holiday cheer into a kitchen.
These Christmas Green M&M Cookies are bright, chewy, and loaded with candy-coated crunch.
They bake up fast and make a cheerful platter for neighbors or a last-minute party.
No complicated techniques—just a few pantry staples and a pop of green.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe
- Bright, festive green color perfect for holiday trays.
- Chewy centers with slightly crisp edges for the ideal cookie bite.
- Fast to prepare and easy to scale for big batches.
- Kid-friendly mixing and decorating with M&Ms.
- Keeps well for gifting and cookie exchanges.
- Uses simple pantry ingredients you likely already have.
These cookies combine a soft, tender crumb with pockets of chocolate and candy crunch. The butter and sugar cream together to create lift while cornstarch keeps the texture pillowy. The M&Ms add bursts of chocolate and a satisfying snap that contrasts the chewy interior.
“Five stars — perfect holiday cookies! My kids loved the color and the texture was spot on: crispy edges and soft middle. Will make these every December.” — Hannah R.
Key Ingredients for Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe
Unsalted butter, softened – 1 cup
Butter is the backbone of flavor and texture. Use high-quality unsalted butter for predictable salt control; European-style butter gives an extra rich taste. If you swap for margarine or a butter substitute, expect less flavor and a different melt profile that can make cookies flatter.
Granulated sugar – 1 2/3 cup
Granulated sugar controls spread and provides crispness at the edges. For a slightly chewier cookie, you could substitute part of it with light brown sugar, which adds moisture and a hint of molasses. Replacing all with brown sugar will yield a softer, more cake-like cookie.
All-purpose flour – 3 cups
Flour gives structure and determines chew. Measure accurately by spooning into the cup and leveling off or weigh for consistency; scooping from the bag packs too much flour and makes dense cookies. Swapping to cake flour will soften the crumb and reduce chewiness; bread flour will produce a chewier, more elastic result.
Red and green M&Ms – 2 cups
M&Ms add festive color, a crunchy shell, and chocolate pockets. Buy fresh bags and use standard (not "mini" if you want noticeable bursts) for the best color and impact. Substituting chocolate chips changes the texture and color aesthetic but still tastes great.
Full Ingredient List for Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe
- Unsalted butter, softened – 1 cup
- Granulated sugar – 1 2/3 cup
- Large eggs – 2
- Vanilla extract – 1 tablespoon
- Green food coloring – 6 drops
- All-purpose flour – 3 cups
- Cornstarch – 1 teaspoon
- Baking powder – 1 teaspoon
- Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Red and green M&Ms – 2 cups
Step-by-Step Instructions for Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper so cookies bake evenly and release easily. Use a middle oven rack for the most consistent browning.
Pro Tip: The oven should be fully preheated; you should smell a faint warm, dry oven scent and the rack should be centered.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer for about 1 minute until the mixture is light and fluffy. This introduces air for structure and a tender crumb.
Pro Tip: The mixture should look pale and slightly aerated; the sugar won’t dissolve fully but the blend will be visibly lighter.
Step 3: Add Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate and prevent a batter that’s separated. Proper incorporation ensures even texture and avoids dense spots.
Pro Tip: The batter will be glossy and slightly loose; it should feel smooth to the touch and hold a slow ribbon when lifted.
Step 4: Flavor and Color
Mix in the vanilla extract and green food coloring, adding drops slowly until the hue you want is reached. Stir just until evenly distributed to avoid overmixing.
Pro Tip: The color should be an even festive green; if streaks remain, beat briefly until uniform.
Step 5: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even leavening and no lumps. Cornstarch gives tenderness and prevents a gritty texture.
Pro Tip: The dry mix should be free of clumps and appear light and uniformly speckled.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed until just combined. Scrape the bowl so there are no streaks of flour; stop as soon as the dough comes together to avoid developing gluten.
Pro Tip: The dough should be soft, slightly tacky, and cohesive, not powdery or overly sticky.
Step 7: Fold in M&Ms
Fold in 1 1/2 cups of the red and green M&Ms by hand, saving the remaining half cup to press on top after baking. Gentle folding keeps M&Ms intact and avoids crushing shells prematurely.
Pro Tip: You should see colorful speckles throughout the dough and intact candy shells visible on the surface.
Step 8: Scoop and Shape
Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoon portions of dough, roll into balls, and place on the lined tray about 2 inches apart. Uniform scoops ensure even bake times and consistent cookie sizes.
Pro Tip: Balls should be smooth with faint fingerprints and sit domed on the tray, not flattened.
Step 9: Bake and Top
Bake the cookies for 11–13 minutes. As soon as they come out, press the remaining M&Ms onto the warm tops so they nestle in and look decorative.
Pro Tip: Edges should be lightly golden while centers appear set but slightly soft; you should smell warm baked sugar and chocolate.
Step 10: Cool to Set
Cool the cookies completely on the cookie sheet to allow the centers to set before transferring to a rack. Cooling on the pan prevents the bottoms from sticking and helps retain chew.
Pro Tip: Cookies will firm up as they cool; they should release cleanly from parchment and feel slightly springy when done.
Expert Tips for Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe
- Chill dough briefly for thicker cookies; 15–30 minutes firms the fat for less spread.
- If cookies are too flat, reduce oven rack temperature by 10–15°F or chill dough longer.
- For chewier centers, replace 1/3 cup granulated sugar with light brown sugar.
- Use an accurate oven thermometer to ensure you’re actually baking at 350°F.
- A medium cookie scoop makes uniform sizes and consistent bake times.
- Avoid overmixing after adding flour; stop when streaks disappear to keep tenderness.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent bottom browning and sticking.
- Common mistake: using melted butter will make cookies spread excessively; always use softened, not melted, butter.
Storage & Freezing for Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe
For fridge storage, place fully cooled cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper and refrigerate for up to 7 days. The cold will firm them but may slightly reduce surface shine on the M&Ms.
For freezer storage, flash-freeze cookie dough balls on a tray for 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. You can also freeze baked cookies in a single layer in a rigid container with parchment between layers.
Thawing instructions: To thaw frozen dough, place scooped frozen balls on a sheet and let sit in the fridge overnight before baking. To thaw baked cookies, leave them at room temperature for 1–2 hours or reheat gently.
Reheating: Warm cookies in a 300°F oven for 3–5 minutes to refresh the edges and melt the chocolate slightly. Microwave reheating for 8–12 seconds works for single servings but may soften the shell of M&Ms.
Best containers: Use airtight, rigid containers for baked cookies and heavy-duty freezer bags or resealable tubs for dough. Label with dates to track freshness.
Variations & Substitutions for Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe
Peppermint Twist: Swap 1 teaspoon of vanilla for peppermint extract and use crushed candy canes sprinkled on top after baking. The result is a festive mint-chocolate cookie with extra crunch.
Double Chocolate: Replace 1/2 cup of flour with 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and add chocolate chips with the M&Ms. This yields a richer, fudgier cookie with deeper chocolate flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum; chill dough a bit longer to help with structure. Texture will be slightly different—more tender but still delicious.
Nutty Holiday: Fold in 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts with the M&Ms. The nuts add savory depth and a satisfying crunch that balances the sweet candy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe
Q: How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
A: Use softened (not melted) butter and chill the dough for 15–30 minutes before baking. Make sure your flour is measured correctly—too little flour causes excess spread. Also check your oven temperature with a thermometer; if it’s too low cookies will spread before setting.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead and freeze it?
A: Yes—scoop the dough into balls, freeze on a tray for an hour, then store in a freezer bag up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time, or thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as instructed.
Q: Why are my cookies cakey instead of chewy?
A: Overmixing after adding flour can develop gluten and create a cakey texture. Too much leavening (baking powder/soda) can also cause a cake-like rise. Try folding gently and ensure accurate leavener measurements for chewier results.
Q: Can I use different colors of M&Ms or other candies?
A: Yes—substituting other colors or candies changes the look but not the fundamental bake. For chocolate chips, reduce mixing and fold them in gently to avoid breaking the pieces.
Q: How do I get the green color without artificial dye?
A: Natural colorings like spirulina or matcha powder can tint the dough but may introduce flavors and alter texture slightly. Start with a small amount and adjust; matcha will add an earthy note, while spirulina is milder but greener.
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Final Thoughts on Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe
These Christmas Green M&M Cookies Recipe are an easy, crowd-pleasing holiday staple that bake up chewy, colorful, and festive. Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and pin this recipe to Pinterest to save it for your next cookie swap.
For more festive cookie ideas, check out Christmas Cookies {easy, delicious, make ahead} for make-ahead inspiration.
If you want a similar M&M cookie with different ratios and techniques, I recommend this take on Perfect Christmas M&M Cookies – What’s Gaby Cooking.
For a chewy-focused version with expert texture tips, see Chewy Christmas M&M Cookies – Handle the Heat.
Christmas Green M&M Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and green food coloring.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in 1 1/2 cups of M&Ms, saving the remaining to press on top after baking.
- Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoon portions of dough onto the lined tray, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies for 11-13 minutes, pressing remaining M&Ms onto warm tops.
- Cool the cookies completely on the cookie sheet.