These soft, chewy, mini M&M cookies can be made in one bowl with no mixer required! Inspired by the Great American Cookie recipe, these are sure to be a family favorite!
NEW! Turn these into cookie sandwiches with my cookie sandwich frosting!
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Why I love these chewy mini M&M cookies
- Soft & chewy: The melted butter makes these cookies ultra-soft & chewy!
- The perfect m&m crunch: There's something about biting into a super soft cookie with that little mini m&m crunch on top. I have to say, putting them on top vs. mixed-in really gives the cookies a different texture!
- One bowl, no mixer: Based off my popular cookie cake recipe that uses melted butter, these soft m&m cookies can be made in under 20 minutes without a mixer!
Tips for success
- Don't use margarine: Margarine will not bake up the same as real butter. On the flip side, if you use European-style butter, you may need to add a tiny bit more flour.
- Allow melted butter to cool: When using melted butter in cookies, it's important that it's not steaming hot or your cookies can turn out greasy. If your butter is steaming, give it a stir and let it cool down for a few minutes.
- Don't overbake: The key to the perfect soft & chewy texture is to use a light-colored metal pan (covered in parchment) and take them out of the oven before the edges turn brown. The cookies will continue to bake on the hot pan, allowing them to firm up without overbaking.
- Press on m&m's after they're baked: While you can technically press them into the dough beforehand, the colors of m&m's will tend to bleed in the oven. To prevent this, press on the m&m's immediately after they come out of the oven.
How to make the best m&m cookies:
This is just an overview showing step-by-step photos, click here to jump down to full recipe card with exact instructions.
Step 1: Mix Dough
Melt butter for 20-30 seconds until just melted. If your butter is steaming, allow it to cool for a few minutes. Using a spatula (don't use a mixer), stir in granulated sugar and brown sugar.
Stir in egg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add flour and mix until all the flour disappears into the dough.
Tip: While this is a "wet" dough, your dough shouldn't be runny like cake batter (some brands of butter can result in runnier dough). If it is runny, allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes to firm up. If it is still runny, add 1-2 tablespoons more flour and refrigerate until firm.
Step 2: Scoop & Bake
Line a light metal pan with parchment paper. Scoop dough into 3-tablespoon-sized scoops (I use this stainless steel cookie scoop!). Bake at 350°F for 9-10 minutes.
Tip: The key to the perfect soft & chewy texture is to take them out of the oven before the edges turn brown. The cookies will continue to bake on the hot pan, allowing them to firm up without overbaking.
Step 3: Press on mini m&m's
Immediately after removing from the oven, press on the mini m&m's. You want to work fast, as the m&m's won't stick once the cookie cools.
Once cooled, enjoy with a glass of milk or wrap them in plastic wrap then package them up for friends using my printable cookie pouches!
Storage & Freezing
Storing: These have the best texture when enjoyed within 3 days but they can be in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
Freezing: Freeze in an airtight container for 1-2 months. For ultimate freshness, wrap each cookie in plastic wrap then place in an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Since this mini m&m cookie recipe is based off my favorite cookie cake, you could totally try making these using my gluten-free cookie cake recipe but scoop them into cookies instead! They won't look the same but will be delicious, chewy cookies.
I wouldn't say they're exact but they're a DANG GOOD homemade option if you want a soft, chewy, mini m&m cookie! They also remind me a lot of the grocery store bakery cookies.
Wrong Pan: A light metal pan with parchment paper will allow the cookies to spread into the thin & chewy cookie you see here. Note that dark metal pans will bake the cookies faster and will likely result in a puffier, crispier cookie. If you do use a dark metal pan, I'd recommend baking at 325°F to help offset the added heat.
Oven too hot: To get flat cookies, you also need to be sure your oven is at 350° (most ovens run hot!). My oven runs 25° degrees hot and 375° will bake the cookies too quickly and be puffy.
Eggs: You also want to be sure to use a room temperature egg (you can place in a bowl of warm water), as a cold egg can result in puffier cookies.
Flour: Lastly, overmeasuring or overpacking your flour can result in a cookie that won't spread as much. Be sure to use the "spoon & level" method by scooping your flour into the measuring cup and then using a knife to scrape off the top.
Chewy Mini M&M Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) You will be melting this
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature (you can put in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Mini m&m's
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter (½ cup, i.e. 1 stick/) for 30-60 seconds or until fully melted.
- Add in granulated sugar (¼ cup) and light brown sugar (½ cup) and use a spatula to stir until combined (*do not use a mixer!). Add in egg (1 large) and vanilla extract (2 teaspoons), then mix. Next, add in baking soda (½ teaspoon), baking powder (¼ teaspoon), and salt (¼ teaspoon) and mix again. Add in all-purpose flour (1 ½ cups) and mix until all the flour disappears into the dough.
- Line a light metal pan with parchment paper. Scoop dough into 3-tablespoon-sized scoops (I use this stainless steel cookie scoop!).
- Bake at 350℉ for 9-10 minutes. The key to the perfect soft & chewy texture is to take them out of the oven before the edges turn brown. The cookies will continue to bake on the hot pan, allowing them to firm up without overbaking.*If your cookies puff up, immediately tap the pan on the counter a few times to help them deflate a bit. You want to do this immediately after removing from the oven. You can also flatten the tops of the next pan to help them spread.
- Immediately after removing from the oven, press on the mini m&m's. You want to work fast, as the m&m's won't stick once the cookie cools.
- Allow to cool, then enjoy!
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Lupe says
The m&ms didn’t stay on the cookies even though I started putting the m&ms on the cookies right away. I ended up putting the candy in the dough instead.
Latonya Nixon says
I love the recipe.
Bree says
My sister and I made these cookies, we put mini m&ms inside as well as on top… so yummy in our tummies!
Melissa says
Glad to hear you both loved the recipe, Bree! Thank you so much for leaving a review! :)
Destiny Deavila says
Perfect cookies thank you!
Lauri says
The best soft cookies!! Omgosh! This will be my new go-to recipe. I didn't use mini M n M's, I actually used Cookies n Creme reg sized M n M's. (what I had on hand). I also just added them into the batter. They were still perfect cookies! Bake 9 minutes! Also such an EASY recipe, kudos on that. Felt like it took 1/3 time for prep! Definitely need to try this. It's a keeper! Yay!!!❤️
Melissa says
So glad that you enjoyed the recipe and these cookies Lauri!
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, I appreciate it.
Taylor says
Love these!
Melissa says
So glad to read that you love this recipe Taylor!
Ari says
I did everything that you said but they definitely didn’t turn out as yours did there very pail super doughy i’m not sure what I did wrong I ever left then in for longer
Melissa says
Hi Ari - what brand and kind of butter did you use?
Hannah S says
10/10. My son loves Panera candy cookies. We drove through the other day after making these and he said I don’t want one of those the ones we made at home are better.
Melissa says
That is so sweet! I am glad that you and your son both loved these cookies Hannah. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and share this story!
Shannon says
These are amazing! I was definitely questioning if they were under baked or not until I came back to look at your photos! The M&Ms really are tricky to get quick. They scooped beautifully. I love making your recipes.
Melissa says
Thank you for the wonderful compliment Shannon, I am glad that you were able to enjoy these cookies too!
Kara says
I appreciate how simple this recipe was to make! I used regular M&Ms instead of mini. I tried the first batch doing the method of placing the M&Ms after coming out of the oven, but it is not my favorite. The remaining batches I placed on prior to baking- it worked well. The cookies came out great! Great texture and flavor - got lots of compliments from people that tried them.
Tomma Marcincuk says
These cookies are so nostalgic. They remind me of trips to the mall! They’re so soft and chewy and the candies are a perfect accompaniment.
Melissa says
I'm so glad that you enjoyed them Tomma!
Thank you for leaving a review, I appreciate it!