Name: Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup butter (softened); ¾ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 egg; 2 cups flour; 1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces, dry, instant); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips; 1 cup white chocolate chips; 1 cup red and green M&M candies

There's just something magical about biting into rich chocolatey goodness dotted with colorful M&Ms that immediately brightens your day. This Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe brings together soft, chewy texture and festive charm all in one bite—perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself!

A pile of round cookies is shown on a white marbled surface, each cookie golden brown with a soft, slightly wrinkled texture. The cookies are studded with colorful candy pieces: red, green, and white small round candies along with some dark brown chocolate chips scattered unevenly on the top and through the cookies. A red and white twisted string is partially visible at the corner, adding a festive touch. The cookies are stacked and overlapping randomly, covering most of the surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely enthusiastic about this Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and fun. Every time I bake these, the aroma fills the kitchen with warmth, and the cookies disappear faster than I can count!

Rich Flavor: Combines semi-sweet and white chocolate chips with M&Ms for a multilayered chocolate experience.
Chewy Texture: Thanks to the instant vanilla pudding mix, these cookies stay soft and irresistible for days.
Festive Appearance: The bright red and green M&Ms make these perfect for holiday gatherings or any fun occasion.
Easy to Make: Simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and no complicated baking skills needed!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe plays an important part—creating that perfect chew, flavor contrast, and festive look you’ll adore. Here are some insights and tips to help you shop and prepare confidently.

Flat lay of a few tablespoons of softened butter shaped into a square, a small mound of light brown sugar, a small mound of white granulated sugar, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing fine dry instant vanilla pudding powder, a small white bowl with baking soda powder, a small white bowl with fine salt, a small white bowl of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl of white chocolate chips, and a small white bowl filled with red and green M&M candies arranged symmetrically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Use softened (not melted) butter to achieve a tender, chewy crumb—room temperature is key!
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and depth of flavor, helping the cookies stay soft longer.
Sugar: Balances sweetness without overpowering other flavors.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall chocolate flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
Egg: Binds everything and adds richness.
Flour: The base for structure; all-purpose flour works perfectly.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: This is the secret weapon for softness and moisture—make sure it’s instant, not cook-and-serve.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough and keeps them fluffy.
Salt: Brightens sweetness and balances flavors.
Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic rich bursts of chocolate throughout.
White Chocolate Chips: Adds a contrasting creamy sweetness and lighter color against the dark dough.
Red and Green M&M Candies: The festive pops of color and crunchy texture that make these cookies truly special.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe depending on the mood or occasion, so don’t hesitate to swap in your favorites or try a new twist. That’s part of the fun in baking!

Variation: Sometimes I swap the white chocolate chips for peanut butter chips for a richer, nutty flavor—totally delicious and different.
Diet-Friendly: For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup for cup. The pudding mix sometimes has gluten, so check the label.
Seasonal Switch: Swap red and green M&Ms for pastels around Easter or classic rainbow M&Ms year-round to suit the season.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by beating the softened butter with both brown and white sugar for about 1-2 minutes. You want it light and fluffy—that extra air will make the cookies wonderfully tender. Don’t rush here; this step is key to lovely texture.

Step 2: Add Vanilla and Egg

Mix in the vanilla extract and then the egg, fully incorporating them. The batter will look creamy and smooth—if you see streaks of egg white, keep mixing until fully blended.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

Whisk together the flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these ahead helps keep everything evenly distributed in your cookie dough.

Step 4: Blend Dry Ingredients into Wet

Gradually add the dry mix to your wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing here to keep cookies tender.

Step 5: Stir in Chocolate Chips and Chill

Fold in most of the chocolate chips, reserving some along with M&Ms to press on top later. Cover the dough and chill it for at least one hour; this step helps develop flavor and prevents spreading.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease your baking sheet by misting and then wiping with a paper towel—just enough to prevent sticking but keeping the bottom crisp. Roll about 3 tablespoons of dough (golf ball size) into balls. Place on the sheet, then gently press reserved chocolate chips and M&Ms on top so they stay visible and festive after baking.

Bake 9-12 minutes—aim for just set edges but slightly underdone centers for ultimate chewiness. Cool on the sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack to fully cool.

Top Tip

From my experience, the chilling step transforms these cookies from just good to absolutely irresistible. I’ve skipped this once in a rush and regretted it—the dough spread too much, and the texture wasn’t as chewy.

Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the hour or more in the fridge—it keeps cookies from flattening and mellows the flavors.
Gentle Greasing: Lightly mist and wipe the pan so cookies brown nicely without sticking.
Pressing Toppings: Adding a few chocolate chips and M&Ms on top right before baking keeps them vibrant and photo-worthy.
Watch Baking Time: Pull them out when edges are set but centers still look soft for melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

How to Serve Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe

Double Chocolate M&M Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually skip fancy garnishes with these cookies because the red and green M&Ms provide enough festive color and charm on their own. But if I’m making them for a party, I might dust lightly with powdered sugar or add a drizzle of white chocolate for extra flair.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk (classic!), a cup of hot cocoa, or even a bold coffee for a cozy afternoon treat. They also make a sweet ending to holiday meals or casual get-togethers.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe cookies on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine. It instantly gives a beautiful rustic look and makes the cookies irresistible. Another fun idea is stacking them in clear jars tied with colorful ribbon for gifting!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and chewy for up to 5 days. If you find they’re starting to get a little dry on day three or four, a slice of bread in the container works wonders to restore moisture.

Freezing

You can freeze the dough balls ahead of time, placing them on a tray to freeze individually before transferring to a sealed bag. When ready to bake, pop them straight into the oven (adding a couple extra minutes to bake time). I’ve done this many times for last-minute treats!

Reheating

Reheat leftovers briefly in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave a cookie for around 15 seconds to revive that just-baked softness—warm chocolate chips and melty M&Ms are always a win.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular pudding mix instead of instant?

Using instant vanilla pudding mix is essential because it adds moisture without cooking. Regular pudding mix requires preparation and will alter cookie texture and consistency. Stick with instant for best results.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least one hour before baking is key to preventing spreading. Also, lightly greasing the baking sheet and shaping the dough into tight balls helps maintain shape as they bake.

Can I substitute M&Ms with other candies?

Absolutely! While the red and green M&Ms add holiday charm, you can swap them with peanut butter M&Ms, chocolate chunks, or other festive candies—just make sure they’re sturdy enough to hold up in the oven.

Why do I fold in most chips but reserve some for topping?

Reserving some chocolate chips and M&Ms to press on top ensures they stay visible and colorful after baking, giving the cookies that eye-catching, festive look everyone loves.

Final Thoughts

This Double Chocolate M&M Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen, especially around the holidays when those festive colors and cozy smells feel extra meaningful. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do—it’s like delivering little bites of happiness. Give it a try, and you’ll have a new favorite cookie that’s easy to make and impossible to resist!