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Home » Holiday Recipes » Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookies

Published: Nov 30, 2020 · Modified: Feb 4, 2021 by Allison · 14 Comments

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Our favorite Christmas Cookie recipes, including our go-to recipe for soft and chewy cookies that are filled with M&M’s and sprinkles. 

Christmas cookies on a plate with red and green sprinkles and candiesGet excited! It’s time for holiday baking… eeekk! I have a brand new cookie recipe for you, as well as a list of our other favorite cookies that are perfect for the season. Let’s get to it!

Cookies filled with red and green M&M's and Christmas sprinkles

Reader Favorites

  • Holiday M&M Cookies (pictured above, recipe below) – These soft and chewy cookies are filled with red and green M&M’s and topped with festive sprinkles. You can also try my M&M Cookie Cake. 
  • Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies – Big soft cookies filled with Andes Mints, mint chips, and chocolate chips.
  • Sprinkle Cookies – Use Christmas sprinkles in these soft and chewy sugar cookies.
  • Peanut Butter Butterscotch Cookies – A delicious twist on peanut butter cookies! You’ll love the pairing of peanut butter and butterscotch chips. 
  • Kitchen Sink Cookies – Use up your leftover “mix-ins” for these tasty cookies. Fill them with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, coconut, dried fruit, nuts, toffee bits, and more!

Collage of cookies

Classics

  • Cut Out Sugar Cookies – A Christmas classic! These soft-baked cut out cookies hold their shape and bake up beautifully!
  • Brown Sugar Molasses Cookies – Super soft and chewy cookies packed with brown sugar and molasses and topped with a creamy molasses frosting. 
  • Ginger Molasses Cookies – These cookies are perfectly spiced and they stay chewy for days. 
  • Chocolate Peppermint Cookies –  Chocolate peppermint cookies dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes. 

Collage of cookies

  • Easy Sugar Cookies – The easiest sugar cookies ever! These drop cookies taste like they came from a bakery. 
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle – Crispy, crunchy, buttery cookie brittle loaded with chocolate chips and pecans.
  • White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies – Soft centers, crisp edges, white chocolate chips, and macadamia nuts.
  • Chocolate M&M Cookies – These cookies are loaded with three kinds of chocolate, including holiday M&M’s!
  • Snickerdoodle Cookies – Two special ingredients make this recipe a family favorite.

Collage of cookies

Freezing Christmas Cookies

  • Freeze baked cookies: Scoop-and-drop cookies and shortbread cookies usually freeze well. Something super delicate or topped with frosting is probably best consumed right away. Store baked cookies in the freezer for up to 3 months. TIP: Double wrap the cookies so they stay fresh. I place the cookies in a zip top bag and then place the bag in a freezer safe food storage container. 
  • Freeze cookie dough: This is my favorite make-ahead method because it allows you to have freshly baked cookies in a short period of time. Freeze cookie dough balls and bring them to cool room temp before baking (or thaw in the fridge overnight). Depending on how cool the dough is you might need to add a minute or two to the bake time. Store cookie dough in the freezer for up to 2 months. TIP: To freeze cookie dough, place the dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then place the dough balls into a zip top bag (I often double bag them).

Packaging Christmas Cookies

Want to mail cookies to friends or family? It is best to choose a sturdy cookie, preferably nothing too delicate. Wrap the cookies really well so they stay fresh. I like to double wrap the cookies by placing them in zip top bags and then placing them in a reusable plastic storage container. If possible, mail the cookies using an expedited method so they get there when they are still fresh.

Christmas cookie dough with M&M's and red and green sprinkles.

Our Favorite Basic Cookie Recipe

The recipe below is based off of our popular M&M Cookies. This version uses red and green sprinkles and M&M’s to make them extra festive. Here’s how to make them:

  • Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
  • Add egg and vanilla.
  • Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  • Beat until fully combined.
  • Stir in M&M’s and chocolate chips.
  • Scoop the dough into balls. Roll the dough balls in sprinkles and top with a few extra M&M’s.
  • Bake!

Why these M&M Christmas Cookies are the best

Soft and chewy – Crisp edges and soft centers. Perfection!
Ease – This recipe comes together quickly and easily. 
No chill time – Ready in minutes!
Freezer friendly – Freeze the baked cookies (up to 3 months) or the dough balls (up to 2 months).

Christmas cookies on a plate with red and green sprinkles and candies

M&M Christmas Cookies

Our go-to Christmas Cookie recipe! Soft and chewy cookies that are filled with M&M's and sprinkles.
5 from 20 votes
Print Pin
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Servings: 15 - 20 (recipe can be doubled)
Calories: 200kcal
Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups all purpose flour, see note
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened but still cool
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar, lightly packed, make sure it's fresh and soft
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups M&M's or a mixture of M&M's and chocolate chips, divided
  • ¼ cup holiday sprinkles

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and both sugars for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. On low speed, add in flour mixture and mix until just combined.
  • Gently stir in M&M's and chocolate chips. I usually add about 1 generous cup into the batter, and the rest get pressed on top of the cookies before baking.
  • Place the sprinkles in a shallow bowl.
  • Scoop balls of cookie dough, between 1½ and 2½ tablespoon portions (a little smaller or a little larger than a golf ball). Gently press the top of the dough balls into the bowl of sprinkles, then press some of the remaining M&M's onto the top of each mound of dough. Place dough onto prepared baking sheets leaving an inch or two for spreading.
  • Bake for 8-11 minutes (see note), until the edges of the cookies are set but the center is still slightly underdone; this will create a soft cookie.
  • Place the baking sheets on wire racks and allow the cookies to cool completely. They will firm up as they cool. Optional: for a slightly thicker cookie, you can gently press the edges of each cookie inward with the back of a spoon (just a bit!) while they are still warm.

Video

Notes

TO PROPERLY MEASURE FLOUR: Fluff the flour with your measuring cup, scoop a heaping portion, and level it off with the back of a knife.
BAKING TIME: Adjust according to the size of dough balls. 
CHILLING DOUGH: If you like thicker cookies, or you accidentally over-softened your butter (it's no longer cool to the touch), you can chill the dough for one hour before baking. 

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
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Comments

  1. Noelle

    November 30, 2020 at 2:44 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! I love cookies that use m&m’s! Great recipe!

    Reply
  2. Katie

    November 30, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    5 stars
    So good.

    Reply
  3. Colby

    December 08, 2020 at 4:06 am

    5 stars
    Delicious

    Reply
  4. Ruby

    December 28, 2020 at 9:13 pm

    5 stars
    The best M& M cookies ever! Everyone loved them when I brought these over for Christmas. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Allison

      January 04, 2021 at 11:57 am

      You’re welcome. I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jessa

    February 17, 2021 at 8:20 pm

    5 stars
    These cookies are so good! They are soft and chewy with the perfect amount of chocolate.

    Reply
    • Allison

      February 19, 2021 at 11:44 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lisa Lizardi

    November 15, 2021 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    I love learning more about making new recipes for cookies

    Reply
  7. Liza

    December 13, 2021 at 6:13 pm

    5 stars
    These were delicious! My kids really enjoying making and eating them! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 15, 2021 at 10:06 am

      I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Anthony

    December 16, 2021 at 1:12 am

    5 stars
    Delicious. I made 5 times the recipe to get my dad some to bring for his work potluck and gave some to the neighbors which they loved. They asked for more a few hours later lol, and I gave them like 2 dozen. Of course kept some for us. Will be making again. So delicious.

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 16, 2021 at 8:25 am

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Ki Davis

    December 24, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Hi can these be made without brown sugar

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 29, 2021 at 6:41 am

      I wouldn’t recommend it. The texture won’t be as soft and chewy.

      Reply

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aboutHi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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