If you want a soft, chewy cookie filled with chocolate, these Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies are perfect. Each bite is full of melty semi-sweet chocolate chips and colorful M&M candies, giving a tasty and fun crunch.
With crispy edges and soft centers, they are ideal for any occasion, from bake sales to after-school snacks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft & Chewy – Perfectly crisp around the edges with soft, gooey centers.
- Full of Chocolate – Packed with both semi-sweet chocolate chips and M&M candies for double the flavor.
- Kid-Friendly – Bright, colorful, and always a hit with little ones.
- Freezer-Friendly – Make a batch and freeze the dough balls for fresh cookies anytime.
- No Butter Needed – This recipe uses shortening for extra thick cookies with no chill time!
Ingredients in Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
- shortening
- granulated sugar
- light brown sugar
- large eggs
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- salt
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- M&M's
How to Make Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to easily release the cookies.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the shortening, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed until smooth.
- Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure everything is fully combined.
- On low speed, mix in the baking soda and salt, followed by the flour. Mix until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated with the wet ingredients, forming your cookie dough.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and M&M's. If desired, reserve a few extra for topping.
- Use a #30 cookie scoop or roll tablespoons of dough into 1-inch cookie dough balls and place them 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the bottoms are golden brown and the tops of the cookies look set.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and flatten them slightly with the back of a spoon. Press a few more M&M candies or chocolate chips on top of the freshly baked cookies.
- Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack or cooling rack to cool completely.
Helpful Tip
Once the cookies are out of the oven, take the back of a spoon or a drinking glass and press gently onto the top so the cookies flatten a bit. Top the cookies with additional chocolate chips and M&M's.
Storage Tips
These chewy cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for longer storage.
If you're planning ahead for a party or holiday, the cookie dough balls can be frozen and baked straight from the freezer—just add an additional minute or two to the bake time.
Customize for Holidays
One of the best parts of this chocolate m&m cookie recipe is how easy it is to customize for different holidays. Use green M&M's for St. Patrick's Day, pastels for Easter, or red and white for Christmas and Valentine's Day. It's a good reason to bake them all year round!
Quick Tips
- Don’t Overbake – Pull the cookies from the oven when the edges are just golden brown for soft centers.
- Use a Cookie Scoop – For evenly sized cookies and a consistent bake time.
- Flatten Lightly – Press the tops of the cookies gently after baking to get that classic bakery-style look.
- Add Extra Toppings – Press a few extra M&M's or chocolate chips on top right after baking for a more colorful cookie.
- Store Properly – Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer shelf life.
Tips for Soft and Chewy Cookies
- Spoon & level the flour - Spoon and level the flour by scooping the flour out of the container by the spoonful and then leveling off the top of the measuring cup. This method will reduce up to 50% extra flour that isn't in the recipe.
- Don't overbake—You want cookies to be soft and chewy, so don't overbake them. Let the cookies continue to bake as they rest on the cookie sheet. Look for golden brown edges, and then remove the cookies from the oven to rest.
- Keep the cookies uniform in size - Using a cookie scoop for the cookie dough will help the cookies bake evenly.
- Cream the ingredients - Cream the shortening (or butter in other cookie recipes) together with the sugars until the sugars are broken down and creamy. This will produce a softer cookie.
More Cookie Recipes
If you loved these chocolate chip M&M cookies, don’t miss these other chocolate chip cookie recipes:
- M&M Peanut Butter Cookies: Peanut butter cookies with peanut butter M&M's.
- Chocolate Chunk Marshmallow Cookies: Chocolate chunks and marshmallows are mixed into these chewy cookies.
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: Chewy oatmeal cookies with melty chocolate chips.
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup shortening
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup M&M's
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- In a large bowl combine shortening, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Add in eggs, one at a time.
- Add in salt and baking soda.
- Slowly add in flour, mixing until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips and M&M's.
- Roll into 1 inch balls or use a #30 cookie scoop to scoop the cookies onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake for about 9 minutes (until bottoms are slightly browned).
- Gently press the tops of the cookies down using the back of a spoon or the bottom of a drinking glass to flatten the cookies a bit.
- Top with additional chocolate chips and M&M's.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Don’t Overbake – Pull the cookies from the oven when the edges are just golden brown for soft centers.
- Use a Cookie Scoop – For evenly sized cookies and a consistent bake time.
- Flatten Lightly – Press the tops of the cookies gently after baking to get that classic bakery-style look.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Mama Needs Cake
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER CHRISTMAS RECIPES:
Chocolate Chunk Marshmallow Cookies
Hot Cocoa Cookies (Hot Chocolate Cookies with Mini Marshmallows)
Peppermint Patty Chocolate Cookies
Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes
Apple Spice Cupcakes with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
Carrie Ditton says
Simple and easy! I have a cookie swap at work and these would be a hit with my co-workers! Pinned!
Jagruti Dhanecha says
I can see my kids gorging on these delectable cookies, oh and BIG KID in me too ? perfect for a festive season right now.
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
These look so easy and delicious! Perfect for a holiday cookie tray or a plate at the office.
Jacque Hastert says
The perfect cookie to serve on holiday platters! I see these in my near future.
Natalie says
These cookies are super cute. So fun and so festive. My kiddo loves treats like this one. I can’t wait to make him these for Holidays.
Jagruti Dhanecha says
I can see my kids gorging on these delectable cookies, oh and BIG KID in me too ? perfect for a festive season right now.
Jyothi (Jo) says
I’m a cookie girl and so are my kids. Baking cookies with my kids is my favorite way to spend the holiday season. I’m saving this recipe, as my kids would love anything with m&m’s
Jacque Hastert says
The perfect cookie to serve on holiday platters! I see these in my near future.
Natalie says
These cookies are super cute. So fun and so festive. My kiddo loves treats like this one. I can’t wait to make him these for Holidays.
Jyothi (Jo) says
I’m a cookie girl and so are my kids. Baking cookies with my kids is my favorite way to spend the holiday season. I’m saving this recipe, as my kids would love anything with m&m’s