Name: Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup butter (softened); ¾ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 egg; 2 cups flour; 1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces, dry); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 cup white chocolate chips; 1 cup red and green M&M candies

There’s something so joyful about biting into warm, soft cookies bursting with chocolate and colorful M&Ms — that's exactly why I’m excited to share this Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe. They’re like little bites of holiday magic you can enjoy any time of year.

A close-up view of soft, round cookies piled in a casual heap on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is golden brown with a slightly puffy texture, studded evenly with red, green, and white candy-coated pieces, as well as some dark chocolate chips. A red-and-white twisted string weaves through the bottom right corner, adding a festive touch. The overall scene shows many cookies overlapping, giving a sense of abundance and homemade charm. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Trust me, these cookies have become a staple at every holiday party and cozy night in. They blend rich chocolate, a fun crunch from M&Ms, and a soft, chewy texture that just can’t be beat. Once you try it, you’ll want to keep the dough chilled and ready all year.

A Perfect Soft & Chewy Texture: Thanks to adding instant vanilla pudding mix, these cookies stay tender and moist longer.
Double Chocolate Goodness: Semi-sweet and white chocolate chips create a delightful, rich contrast in every bite.
Festive & Fun: The red and green M&Ms add not just color but a satisfying snap and sweetness that stands out.
Easy to Make: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, this recipe is a winner for both beginners and seasoned bakers.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe plays a special role to balance flavor, texture, and ease of baking. I always keep tips handy to help you pick the right versions or substitutions.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with softened pale yellow butter, a small white bowl of light brown packed brown sugar, a small white bowl of fine white sugar, a single whole clean-shelled brown egg, a small white bowl of clear golden vanilla extract, a small white bowl of fine white flour, a small white bowl containing creamy off-white dry instant vanilla pudding mix powder, a small white bowl of fine white baking soda powder, a small white bowl of fine white salt, a simple white ceramic bowl with semi-sweet dark chocolate chips, a simple white ceramic bowl with creamy white chocolate chips, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright red and green M&M candies, all arranged in perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Use softened, not melted, for that perfect creamy base to blend the sugars and flavor.
Brown Sugar & Sugar: Combines moisture and sweetness, key for chewiness and texture.
Vanilla: Enhances the chocolate flavors and adds a lovely warm aroma.
Egg: Binds everything and gives richness to the cookies.
Flour: The structure of the cookie; measure carefully to avoid dry or cakey results.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: The secret to soft, tender cookies that stay fresh longer.
Baking Soda & Salt: Leavening and flavor balance to make sure cookies rise slightly and taste balanced.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic rich chocolate flavor that melts beautifully.
White Chocolate Chips: Adds a creamy, sweet contrast that lingers.
Red & Green M&M Candies: For that colorful pop and playful crunch everyone loves.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Sometimes, I swap out half the M&Ms for peanut butter ones for an extra nutty surprise. You can customize to suit your cravings or occasion!

Nutty Variation: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives a nice crunch and a richer flavor I’ve grown to adore.
Seasonal Twist: Use colorful M&Ms to match any holiday or event—pastels for Easter, orange and black for Halloween.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend and double-check your pudding mix for gluten content.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by beating softened butter, brown sugar, and regular sugar for 1-2 minutes. You want it light and fluffy—that airiness helps your cookies rise just right. I find using a hand mixer speeds this up, but a sturdy wooden spoon works fine too.

Step 2: Add Vanilla and Egg

Mix in the vanilla extract and the egg until the batter looks smooth and well combined. This ensures every bite is rich and flavorful.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

Whisk together your flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. This helps distribute the leavening evenly so your cookies bake up perfectly.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients and stir until fully incorporated. You want an even dough, but be careful not to overmix, or the cookies could turn out tough.

Step 5: Fold in Most Chocolate Chips and Chill

Stir in the majority of your chocolate chips, saving a handful along with some M&Ms to press on top later. Then cover the dough and chill for at least one hour. I find chilling is a game changer—it makes the cookies easier to shape and improves flavor.

Step 6: Shape and Add Toppings

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or prepare a baking sheet (I spray it lightly then wipe to avoid too much oil). Roll dough into balls about the size of a golf ball—around 3 tablespoons each. Place them on the sheet, then gently press the reserved chocolate chips and M&Ms on top. This way, they’re visible and invite a little extra crunch and color.

Step 7: Bake to Soft Perfection

Bake for about 9-12 minutes until the cookies are set but still look slightly underdone in the center. That’s the sweet spot for soft, chewy cookies. Let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

Top Tip

Through countless cookie batches, I’ve learned these small details make a huge difference in your Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe results. I’m sharing my favorite baking secrets so your cookies come out bakery-level fabulous every time.

Don’t Skip Chilling: The dough firms up, making it easier to shape and preventing too much spreading while baking.
Watch the Bake Time: Pull cookies out when edges are set but centers are still soft; they continue to bake on the hot sheet, ensuring softness inside.
Press Toppings on After Shaping: It keeps the M&Ms and chips visible and pretty instead of getting buried in the dough.
Use Instant Pudding Mix: It’s the magic ingredient for moisture and softness without changing flavor—trust me, it’s worth it.

How to Serve Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a few extra M&Ms or mini chocolate chips on top before serving for that extra pop of color and chewy texture. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a festive touch, especially during the holidays.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee. For holiday gatherings, I like to serve them alongside spiced hot chocolate or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert platter.

Creative Ways to Present

At holiday parties, I’ve arranged these cookies on festive platters lined with parchment paper and added a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly for that Christmas vibe. Layering them in clear jars with ribbons makes a beautiful homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft up to a week. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain moisture—trust me, it’s a little trick I swear by.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or freeze the baked cookies wrapped tightly. For dough, freeze on a sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Baked cookies freeze well up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temp.

Reheating

To warm leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or a few minutes in a low oven (around 300°F). This refreshes that just-baked softness and melty chocolate sensation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular pudding mix instead of instant?

Regular pudding mix requires cooking and moisture, which will change the dough consistency. The instant pudding mix is key because it keeps the dough moist and tender without additional liquid or heat.

Why do the cookies need to chill before baking?

Chilling helps the dough firm up, preventing cookies from spreading too thin while baking, and it also improves flavor as ingredients meld together. This step really makes a difference in texture.

Can I substitute different candy colors or types?

Absolutely! You can swap M&Ms for peanut butter ones, seasonal colors, or even chocolate chunks. Just keep in mind that some candies may melt differently and affect the cookie appearance.

How do I keep cookies soft for longer?

Storing cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread maintains moisture to keep them soft. Avoid refrigerating unless necessary, as it can dry out cookies.

Final Thoughts

This Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe has brought so much joy to my kitchen and gatherings, and I truly hope you get to experience the same. It’s a perfect balance of fun, flavor, and texture, making it a must-try treat you’ll come back to again and again. Ready to bake? Grab your bowl, and let’s make some memories.