Introduction to Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies
Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies are the absolute highlight of any spring celebration, bringing a burst of color and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that everyone craves. When the flowers begin to bloom and the sun stays out a little longer, there is nothing quite like the smell of fresh cookies wafting through the kitchen. These treats are more than just a dessert; they are a festive tradition that combines the classic comfort of a sugar cookie with the rich, chocolatey crunch of holiday candies. Whether you are filling an Easter basket or hosting a family brunch, these cookies stand out as a crowd favorite.
Creating the perfect Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies requires a delicate balance of high-quality ingredients and specific baking techniques. We focus on achieving a center that remains tender and moist while the edges offer just a hint of golden crispness. This specific recipe has been tested and refined to ensure that your cookies don't spread too thin and that every bite is loaded with pastel M&Ms, white chocolate chunks, and festive sprinkles. If you enjoy holiday baking, you might also love The Most Heavenly Strawberry Shortcake Easter Egg Bombs to Brighten Your Holiday Soul for another vibrant seasonal option.
Why You’ll Love Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies
You will love these Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies because they are incredibly versatile and easy to make, even for beginner bakers. The dough comes together in just a few minutes, and the use of cold eggs and cool butter ensures a consistent result every time. The addition of white chocolate chips provides a creamy contrast to the milk chocolate M&Ms, making the flavor profile sophisticated yet nostalgic. These cookies are also a fantastic project for kids, as they will enjoy pressing the dough into the pastel sprinkles and seeing the bright colors emerge from the oven.
Furthermore, these Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies are the perfect addition to any dessert platter. If you have previously enjoyed making themed treats like The Most Magical Valentine M&M Cookies to Win Every Heart, you will find this Easter variation to be just as enchanting. The texture remains soft for days, making them excellent for gifting to neighbors or teachers. The combination of vanilla extract and a touch of salt enhances the sweetness, creating a balanced cookie that is hard to resist.
Ingredients for the Perfect Batch
To make these Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies, you will need a selection of pantry staples and some special holiday candies. The foundation of the cookie is all-purpose flour, which provides the necessary structure. Using fresh baking powder and baking soda is crucial for the perfect rise, ensuring your cookies are mounded high rather than flat and greasy. The butter must be softened but still cool to the touch; this is a critical detail that helps maintain the cookie's integrity during the initial stages of baking. Granulated sugar provides sweetness and crisp edges, while brown sugar adds moisture and that signature chewy texture.
Notes and Substitutions
If you find yourself missing an ingredient for your Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies, there are a few adjustments you can make. For the fats, while unsalted butter is preferred for flavor control, you can use salted butter and simply omit the extra salt in the recipe. If you need a gluten-free version, a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend usually works well, though it may slightly alter the spread. For the mix-ins, feel free to swap white chocolate chips for dark chocolate chunks if you prefer a deeper cocoa flavor. Ensure your M&Ms are the spring variety to maintain that beautiful pastel aesthetic.
Equipment Needed
Baking Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies doesn't require complex machinery. You will need a large mixing bowl for your dry ingredients and another for your wet ingredients. A hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment is ideal for the creaming method, which incorporates air into the butter and sugar. Additionally, have two large baking sheets, parchment paper, a wire cooling rack, and a cookie scoop ready to ensure uniform sizing.
Instructions for Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies
Follow these steps carefully to achieve the best Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies you have ever tasted.
- Preheat and Prep: Set your oven to 350°F and line your sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat the cool, softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
- Emulsify: Add the cold egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
- Combine: Slowly add the flour mixture on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add Mix-ins: Gently fold in the Easter M&Ms and white chocolate chips by hand.
- Scoop and Roll: Scoop dough into portions and press the tops into a bowl of pastel sprinkles.
- Bake: Bake for 8-11 minutes until the edges are set. The centers should still look slightly soft to ensure the cookies remain chewy.
- Cool: Allow them to rest on the sheet before moving to a wire rack.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
To elevate your Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies to bakery-style quality, always spoon and level your flour rather than dipping the cup directly into the bag. This prevents using too much flour, which can lead to dry, cakey cookies. Another secret is the 'dough mound' technique; keep your dough balls tall and narrow on the baking sheet to help them stay thick. Chilling the dough balls for 20 minutes before baking is highly recommended if you prefer a very thick cookie. Finally, always under-bake slightly; the cookies will continue to firm up on the hot baking sheet once removed from the oven.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Serve your Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies with a cold glass of milk or alongside a festive fruit salad. For storage, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. For a fun variation, try adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolate-base cookie, or swap the white chocolate for peanut butter chips for an extra layer of richness.
Nutrition Information
Understanding the nutritional content of your Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies is helpful for balanced indulgence. Below are the estimated facts per serving.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Fat | 9g |
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate based on standard ingredient calculations.
Conclusion
In summary, these Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies are the ultimate spring treat, combining a perfect texture with vibrant holiday colors. By following our specific tips on ingredient temperature and baking times, you can ensure a successful batch every time. These cookies bring joy to any table and are sure to be requested year after year. Happy Easter and happy baking!
FAQs
How do I keep my Easter M&M cookies soft for several days?
The key to maintaining softness is using a high ratio of brown sugar and ensuring you do not overbake the cookies. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container with a small slice of white bread to help retain moisture.
Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?
Yes! You can scoop the dough into balls and flash-freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer by adding 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
Why does the recipe call for a cold egg?
Using a cold egg straight from the fridge helps keep the dough temperature lower, which prevents the cookies from spreading too quickly in the oven. This results in a thicker, chewier texture.
Can I substitute the white chocolate chips?
Absolutely. You can use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or even dark chocolate chips if you prefer a less sweet cookie. The pastel Easter theme is mainly carried by the M&Ms and sprinkles.
Soft and Chewy Easter M&M Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive, ultra-soft cookie packed with pastel Easter M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and spring sprinkles.
Ingredients
1½ cups plus one tablespoon all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened but still cool
½ cup granulated sugar
â…“ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1 large egg, cold
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¾ cup Easter M&M's
½ cup white chocolate chips
¼ cup pastel sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
Step 3: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened but cool butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add the cold egg and the vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
Step 6: Gently fold in the Easter M&Ms and white chocolate chips by hand using a spatula.
Step 7: Scoop the dough into balls (about 2 tablespoons each). Roll the top of each dough ball in the pastel sprinkles.
Step 8: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 11 minutes.
Step 9: Remove from the oven when the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For thicker cookies, chill the scooped dough balls in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
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