Christmas Peanut Butter M&M Cookies are a festive and delicious treat perfect for the holiday season. These cookies are soft and chewy with a rich peanut butter flavor and are studded with colorful red, green, and blue M&M candies. They’re a fun and festive addition to any holiday cookie platter and are sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love these Christmas Peanut Butter M&M Cookies for their soft, chewy texture and the combination of rich peanut butter and crunchy, colorful M&Ms. These cookies are easy to make and perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as a delightful treat to share with loved ones.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use creamy peanut butter: For the best texture, use creamy peanut butter rather than natural or chunky peanut butter.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Do not overmix: Mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cookies soft and tender.
- Evenly distribute M&Ms: Save some M&Ms to press on top of the cookies before baking for a more festive look.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Different M&Ms: Use mini M&Ms or peanut M&Ms for a different texture and flavor.
- Nut-free option: Substitute the peanut butter with a nut-free alternative like sunflower seed butter.
- Add-ins: Stir in some chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
- Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve Christmas Peanut Butter M&M Cookies with a glass of cold milk, a cup of hot cocoa, or coffee. These cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a sweet snack any time of day.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Room temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigeration: Keep in the refrigerator for up to a week to extend freshness.
- Freezing: Freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Reheating: Enjoy the cookies at room temperature or slightly warmed in the microwave for a few seconds.
Recipe FAQs
What if my dough is too sticky? Chill the dough longer or add a tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough is easier to handle.
Can I use chunky peanut butter? Yes, but creamy peanut butter provides a smoother texture.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much? Chill the dough before baking and avoid overmixing.
Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can easily double the ingredients to make a larger batch.
Christmas Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
Celebrate the festive season with Peanut Butter M&M Cookies! Experience the delightful crunch of Christmas-colored M&Ms blended perfectly with creamy peanut butter in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup green and red M&Ms
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth and well combined.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mix to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Gently fold in the green and red M&Ms and chocolate chips.
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Flatten each cookie slightly with the back of a spoon or your palm.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 171Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 94mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 3g
