Easter M&M Cookies: A Colorful Holiday Treat for the Whole Family
These festive Easter M&M Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate spring with a burst of color and flavor. Soft, chewy, and loaded with pastel M&Ms, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite during the holiday season. The combination of rich butter, vanilla, and chocolate creates a delightful treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
What makes these Easter cookies special is their vibrant appearance and crowd-pleasing taste. The pastel-colored M&Ms add a festive touch that kids adore, while the buttery cookie base satisfies everyone’s sweet tooth. Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch, preparing treats for a school party, or just want to add some seasonal cheer to your dessert table, these cookies deliver on both flavor and presentation.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: A perfect balance of sweet vanilla and rich chocolate, with a buttery base that complements the candy-coated M&Ms.
- Texture: Soft and chewy centers with slightly crisp edges, loaded with colorful M&Ms that add a satisfying crunch.
- Aroma: The warm scent of vanilla and butter fills your kitchen as these cookies bake, creating an irresistible holiday atmosphere.
- Visual Appeal: The pastel M&Ms create a beautiful Easter color palette that makes these cookies as pretty as they are delicious.
- Skill Level Needed: Beginner-friendly recipe that’s perfect for baking with kids or making last-minute holiday treats.
- Special Equipment: Just basic baking tools – no fancy equipment required for these simple yet impressive cookies.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: These Easter M&M cookies are rated easy because they use simple techniques and common ingredients. Even novice bakers can achieve perfect results with this straightforward recipe.
- Category: Holiday desserts, cookie recipes, Easter treats, family-friendly baking.
- Cuisine: American-style cookies with universal appeal, perfect for Easter celebrations and spring gatherings.
- Cost: Budget-friendly ingredients make this an affordable way to create festive holiday treats.
- Season: Perfect for spring, especially around Easter, but delicious year-round with different colored M&Ms.
- Occasion: Ideal for Easter parties, spring gatherings, bake sales, or as edible gifts in colorful cookie tins.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The taste and texture of these Easter M&M cookies are simply irresistible. The soft, chewy texture pairs perfectly with the slight crunch of the candy shells, while the buttery dough provides the ideal canvas for the sweet chocolate M&Ms. Each bite delivers a burst of color and flavor that makes these cookies as fun to eat as they are to look at.
From a convenience standpoint, this recipe couldn’t be easier. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, you can whip up a batch of these festive cookies in no time. The dough comes together quickly and bakes in just 10 minutes, making this the perfect last-minute holiday treat.
While these are certainly a treat, you can feel good about serving them because they use real ingredients like butter, eggs, and flour rather than artificial mixes. The M&Ms add a playful element that encourages portion control – one or two of these colorful cookies satisfies a sweet craving perfectly.
For social gatherings, these cookies are a guaranteed hit. Their vibrant colors make them a conversation starter, and their familiar flavors appeal to all ages. Package them in clear cellophane bags with ribbon for adorable edible favors, or arrange them on a platter as the centerpiece of your dessert table.
Cost-wise, this recipe delivers big on value. A single batch makes two dozen cookies, and the ingredients are all pantry staples except for the seasonal M&Ms. Compared to store-bought Easter treats, these homemade cookies offer superior flavor and freshness at a fraction of the price.
The Recipe
Easter M&M Cookies
Serves: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cookie scoop (optional)
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups Easter M&Ms (plus extra for topping)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in 1 cup of M&Ms (reserve remaining 1/2 cup for topping).
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Press additional M&Ms onto the tops of each cookie for extra color.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers are still soft.
- Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Recipe Notes
- For extra soft cookies, slightly underbake and let them finish setting on the hot baking sheet.
- Dough can be chilled for 30 minutes if it seems too soft to handle.
- Substitute regular M&Ms or other candy-coated chocolates for different holidays.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.