There’s something truly magical about biting into soft, colorful cookies that instantly scream holiday cheer. This Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe is exactly that kind of treat—soft, pillowy, and packed with festive M&Ms and sprinkles that make each bite feel like a celebration. Let me show you how easy and fun these are to make!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I have to confess, this isn’t just any cookie recipe. The brown sugar and instant pudding mix in the dough create a soft, chewy texture that stays perfectly tender even days after baking. Plus, those festive M&Ms add pops of color and little bursts of chocolate that make these cookies irresistible to everyone around.
- Soft, pillowy texture: Thanks to the pudding mix, these cookies stay soft and chewy longer than your average sugar cookie.
- Festive colors and fun: The red and green sprinkles paired with Christmas-colored M&Ms instantly brighten the cookie plate.
- Simple ingredients, big flavor: No complicated steps or weird ingredients, but the result tastes special enough for holiday gifting.
- Great for chilling: The dough needs chilling, which means you can prep ahead and bake fresh cookies anytime within a few days.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe plays a role in crafting that perfect holiday cookie—soft yet sturdy, sweet but balanced, and absolutely festive. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll want to look for when shopping.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter adds moisture and rich flavor without making the dough greasy.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the cookies chewy.
- Vanilla extract: Brings out all the other flavors with its warm aroma.
- Egg: Provides structure and binds everything together.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: Key to achieving that soft and pillowy texture—don't skip this!
- Baking soda: Gives a gentle lift to the dough, ensuring soft edges without spreading too thin.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, giving the cookies their form.
- Red and green sprinkles: For that festive sparkle and crunch.
- Christmas M&Ms: The star of the show—chocolatey, colorful, and fun.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Feel free to swap out colors, add nuts, or even try white chocolate chips if that’s your thing. I always love experimenting a little—holiday baking is the perfect excuse!
- Variation: I once swapped the festive M&Ms for peanut butter chips and tossed in some chopped pecans—delicious twist that's perfect if you want something a bit different.
- Dairy-free option: Use a plant-based butter substitute and a compatible pudding mix to keep this cookie soft without dairy.
- Extra festive: Mix in crushed candy canes with the sprinkles for a minty surprise.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar
Start by creaming together your softened unsalted butter and packed brown sugar. I use my stand mixer with a paddle attachment for about 2-3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. This step is key because it traps air that helps your cookies rise just right, making them soft and tender inside.
Step 2: Adding the Egg and Vanilla
Once your butter and sugar are perfectly creamed, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until it’s smooth and homogenous. This binds your dough beautifully. I like to scrape down the bowl at this point to make sure everything is well incorporated.
Step 3: Mixing Dry Ingredients and Pudding Mix
Next, add in the instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Blend everything together, then gradually mix in the flour until the dough just comes together. This is when your dough will start looking cookie-dough-like—soft but not sticky.
Step 4: Stir in Sprinkles and M&Ms
Now for the fun part! Fold in your red and green sprinkles and Christmas M&Ms gently. I find using a spatula works best to avoid breaking the candies.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Scoop the dough into 2-tablespoon balls and place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or a silpat mat. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. This step is essential—it helps the cookies hold their shape while baking, and intensifies the flavors.
Step 6: Baking to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place your chilled dough balls about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges just start turning a delicate golden brown. The centers may look a little underdone—that’s perfect for the soft texture you want!
Step 7: Cooling and Storing
Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking apart. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days—or freeze to enjoy later.
Top Tip
After making this Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe multiple times, a few simple tricks have made all the difference in getting consistent, delicious results.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough: I once tried baking straightaway, and my cookies spread too thin. Chilling helps them bake thicker and stay soft.
- Use instant pudding mix: I experimented with fresh pudding before and it didn’t give the same chewy texture. The instant mix is magic.
- Watch your oven temperature: My oven runs hot, so I tend to check at 9 minutes—the cookies finish firming up as they cool on the tray.
- Gentle folding: When adding M&Ms and sprinkles, fold carefully to keep colors bright and prevent the candy shells from cracking.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding an extra sprinkle of red and green sugar crystals on top right before baking for a little sparkle. Sometimes I drizzle a hint of white chocolate over the cooled cookies for an elegant touch. It’s all about those festive details!
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with classic holiday drinks like hot cocoa, peppermint mochas, or even a cinnamon-infused apple cider. For a party, I like to have them alongside a cheese board with seasonal nuts and fruits—sweet and savory is always a hit.
Creative Ways to Present
Gift wrapping these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon makes a perfect homemade gift. Or, arrange them on a tiered dessert stand surrounded by pine sprigs and fairy lights for a gorgeous holiday centerpiece that tastes as good as it looks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms in an airtight container at room temperature layered between sheets of parchment paper to keep them soft and prevent sticking. They’ll last a good 4 days this way—though usually, they don’t hang around that long!
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead, freezing the dough balls before baking works beautifully. Just scoop, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a zipper bag. Bake from frozen adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. This is a lifesaver when holiday schedule gets hectic.
Reheating
Leftover cookies warm up wonderfully in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back that soft-baked feeling. Alternatively, pop them in a low oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to refresh them without drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Instant pudding mix is crucial for the soft, chewy texture that sets this Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe apart. Regular pudding or no pudding will change the texture noticeably. If you must substitute, try using a pudding mix that closely matches vanilla flavor and includes the setting agents, but results may vary.
Chilling the dough is a key step in this recipe because it prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking, which helps them maintain a perfect, thick, chewy shape. It also allows the flavors to meld better, making the cookies taste even more delicious.
While this Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe relies on butter and egg, you can try vegan butter substitutes and an egg replacer like flax eggs. However, texture might differ from the original, so you may need to experiment to get your desired softness and flavor.
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freezing the baked cookies or dough is recommended to preserve freshness.
Final Thoughts
I hope you find this Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe as joyful and satisfying as I do. There’s something so heartwarming about biting into a soft, colorful cookie that immediately transports you to a cozy holiday setting. Whether you’re baking for your family, friends, or just because you deserve a festive treat, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and maybe even a little cookie magic to your kitchen.
Print
Christmas Sugar Cookie M&Ms Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Santa's Favorite Cookies are soft and pillowy brown sugar pudding cookies filled with festive Christmas candy. These easy-to-make cookies combine the richness of brown sugar and vanilla pudding mix to create a tender texture, finished with colorful sprinkles and M&Ms for a fun holiday treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 box 3.4 ounces Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix (not sugar free)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- ¼ cup red and green sprinkles (or any colors)
- ¾ cup Christmas M&Ms (or any color of M&M)
Instructions
- Cream Ingredients: Cream the softened butter and brown sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer, until smooth and fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Gradually add the flour and mix until the dough comes together.
- Mix in Candy and Sprinkles: Stir in the red and green sprinkles and Christmas M&Ms evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop and Chill: Scoop 2 tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat. There's no need to space them out at this stage. Cover the sheet and chill the dough balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silpat mats.
- Bake Cookies: Place the chilled cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 11 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to one month.
Notes
- Chilling the cookie dough is essential to maintain the shape of the cookies and achieve the perfect texture.
- You can substitute the red and green sprinkles with any festive colors to suit different occasions.
- For a different flavor, try swapping vanilla pudding mix with chocolate or butterscotch pudding mix.
- Store cookies in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to keep them fresh longer.
- Freezing the cookie dough balls before baking preserves freshness and allows baking fresh cookies on demand.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 127 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 57 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg
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