Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite treat for Valentine’s Day—these delightful Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies! Every year, I look forward to baking these colorful gems, and they never fail to bring a smile to my face (and to everyone else’s too!). The moment I pull them out of the oven, the buttery aroma fills my kitchen, and I can hardly wait for them to cool before diving in. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with sweet, crunchy M&M goodness! Plus, they’re so simple to whip up—perfect for surprising your loved ones or even just treating yourself. Trust me, once you bake these cookies, they’ll become a beloved tradition in your home, filling hearts and tummies with joy. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients List
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easy mixing. This helps create that dreamy, creamy texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: This adds sweetness and a lovely crispness to the edges of your cookies.
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed: The molasses in brown sugar gives the cookies that rich flavor and chewiness we all love.
- 2 large eggs: These help bind everything together and add moisture. Make sure they’re at room temperature too!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the flavor beautifully—trust me, it makes a difference!
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base of your cookie dough. Make sure to spoon and level it for accuracy!
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This is your leavening agent, helping the cookies rise to perfection.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance all those delicious flavors.
- 1 cup M&M candies: Choose festive colors for Valentine’s Day! They add a pop of color and fun crunch to each bite.
How to Prepare Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies
Preheat the Oven
First things first—let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is super important because it ensures your cookies bake evenly and helps them rise beautifully. You want that perfect golden edge, right? So, don’t skip this step!
Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, grab your softened butter and combine it with both the granulated and brown sugars. I usually use a hand mixer for this, but you can totally use a wooden spoon if you’re feeling old-school! Mix them together until it’s light and fluffy—this can take about 2-3 minutes. The fluffiness is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture!
Combine Wet Ingredients
Next, it’s time to add in the eggs and vanilla extract. Crack those eggs in one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, pour in that lovely splash of vanilla. Oh, the smell! This step brings everything together and adds so much flavor.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agent is evenly distributed throughout your cookies. It’s like creating a little dry magic before we combine it with the wet ingredients!
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Now, gradually add your dry mixture to the wet mixture. I like to do this in three parts, mixing gently after each addition. You don’t want to overmix—just blend until everything is combined and those dry bits disappear. You’ll see a beautiful dough forming!
Fold in M&M Candies
Here comes the fun part! Carefully fold in the M&M candies, making sure to do this gently so they don’t break apart. You want those vibrant colors to shine in every cookie! It’s like adding little jewels to your dough.
Bake the Cookies
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each. Pop them into the preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are golden and the centers look just set but still soft. Trust me, they’ll firm up a bit as they cool!
Cooling Process
Once they’re out of the oven, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This step is crucial because it allows them to firm up while still being warm and gooey. And oh, the smell will keep you coming back for more!
Tips for Success
Okay, friends, let me share some of my tried-and-true tips to make sure your Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies turn out absolutely perfect! First off, if you want thicker cookies with a chewy center, don’t forget to chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. It’s a little trick that helps them hold their shape beautifully. Also, I highly recommend using festive M&M colors to really make these cookies pop—think pinks, reds, and whites for that Valentine’s vibe! And if you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing in some chocolate chips or nuts for an extra surprise in every bite. Lastly, when you’re baking, keep an eye on those edges; they should be golden, but the centers can look a tad soft. They’ll firm up while cooling, and trust me, you want that gooey goodness!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: These cookies come together in just about 30 minutes, making them perfect for a last-minute treat!
- Festive Appeal: The colorful M&M candies add a fun and vibrant touch, perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day.
- Delicious Flavor: With a buttery, chewy texture and sweet bursts of chocolate, every bite is pure joy.
- Customizable: Feel free to mix in your favorite add-ins, like chocolate chips or nuts, for a personal twist!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a fresh cookie, especially when it’s a delightful Valentine’s Day treat!
Nutritional Information Section
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for each delicious Valentine’s Day M&M Cookie. Keep in mind that these values can vary a bit depending on the specific ingredients and brands you use, but this should give you a good idea:
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 100mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 2g
These cookies are a delightful indulgence, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying yourself. Just remember, everything in moderation!
FAQ Section
Can I use different colors of M&M candies?
Absolutely! One of the best parts about making these Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies is the chance to get creative with the colors. You can use any M&M colors you like—just think of the festive vibes you want to create! For Valentine’s Day, I love using shades of red, pink, and white, but you can mix in whatever colors make you happy. It’s all about having fun with it!
How do I store leftover cookies?
To keep your cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay nice and soft for about a week. If you’re like me and can’t resist the temptation, they might not last that long! You can also layer them with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. Just make sure to keep that lid on tight!
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
You bet! Freezing the cookie dough is a fantastic option if you want to bake fresh cookies later. Simply scoop the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once they’re solid, pop them into a freezer bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, just take them out, let them thaw for about 10-15 minutes, and then bake as usual. You might need to add a minute or two to the baking time, but they’ll come out just as delicious!
What can I substitute for eggs?
If you need an egg substitute, I’ve got you covered! For each egg, you can use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a mashed banana. Another option is to mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. These alternatives work great and keep your cookies moist and tasty!
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Great question! You’ll know your cookies are done when the edges turn a lovely golden brown and the centers look set but still slightly soft. If you gently press the center with your finger, it should spring back a little—this means they’ll be perfectly chewy once cooled. Remember, they’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a tad underdone when they come out of the oven!
Print
Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies: 5 Steps to Pure Joy
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and colorful cookies perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup M&M candies
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Fold in M&M candies.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
- Let cookies cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use festive M&M colors for a Valentine’s theme.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies