M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep M&Ms from cracking in the oven? ›

If your M&Ms keep cracking or losing their shape while baking, try using mini M&Ms. These are smaller and less likely to melt, which is why they're my favorite for this recipe. You can also try freezing your M&Ms before adding them to the dough which will also help them to retain their shape while baking.

Sugar dissolved in baking forms a syrup as the dough heats up. Different types of sugars affect the texture because they absorb different amounts of water. Remember moisture is the key! White sugar creates crispier cookies and brown sugar creates chewier cookies.

You'll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from a month to six months before the 25th of December. (Consult this handy how-to guide to the matter.) Generally, most recipes will be best if baked and then frozen.

Recipe overview

Add the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in M&M's and chocolate chips. Scoop the cookie dough into balls (big or small, see more on that below). Press some additional M&M's on the dough balls and bake!

Press the chocolate chips and/or M&Ms into the top of the ball of dough closer together than you think, as they'll spread apart as the cookie bakes and spreads. If refrigerating or freezing your dough, wait to dot each ball until right before baking as the M&M colors can bleed into your cookie.

M&Ms: You can use regular-size, mini, or a mix of both. I like to crush some of them, too, to sprinkle on the top before baking.

“To keep cookies soft, store them in an airtight container and not in a cookie jar,” Amanda recommends. “While cookie jars are cute, they usually don't have airtight lids.

Keep those cookies crisp by storing them in an airtight container. Some people toss a piece of bread in with the cookies to help absorb any excess moisture. You could also re-crisp them by baking on a wire rack in a 300 degree F oven for a few minutes.

Curious how long cookies last at room temperature? Most homemade cookies will maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 days. If you leave them out for too long, the cookies begin to harden or dry out. To prevent cookies from becoming stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container.

What Christmas cookies stay fresh the longest? ›

Shortbread and spritz cookies are longer-lasting cookies, which means they are perfect for holidays when there is some competition on the table. After all, Christmas in many homes is celebrated with a variety of dishes and sweet treats.

Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, which makes them difficult to enjoy.

The Problem: Your Oven Is Too Hot

If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure.

“We've actually changed the recipe of M&M's as America and the world knows it,” said Ryan Bowling, a spokesman for Mars Snackfood U.S. “This is a whole new recipe, both visually and to its taste as well.” The candies themselves are fatter and less uniform than traditional M&M's.

Mix and match the colors of the M&Ms to match different holidays and celebrations for a versatile and festive dessert. And don't worry, it's completely safe to eat!

For the candy pieces that have remained intact, microwaved M&M's can be enjoyed as is or tossed onto plates of served brownies, scooped ice cream, or thrown into bowls of freshly made popcorn.

M&M's retain their quality best when stored in a cool, dry place such as a pantry or cupboard. It's crucial to keep them away from any heat sources and to avoid drastic temperature changes that can compromise their quality. Ideally, the temperature should be maintained between 60-75°F (15-24°C).

However, do not refrigerate your M&M'S candies. Instead, store them at room temperature out of direct sunlight.

According to The Spruce Eats, the most common reason the chocolate coating cracks is because cold truffles, which have been firmed up in the fridge or freezer, are being dipped in warm chocolate that's been tempered or melted. As the cold truffles warm up after dipping, their size expands, and the shells often crack.