If you’re looking to add a festive twist to your holiday baking, this Christmas M&M Pudding Cookies Recipe is an absolute showstopper. These cookies blend the softness of pudding with the cheerful crunch and color of Christmas M&M’s and white chocolate chips, creating a delightful treat that’s both chewy and bursting with flavor. Perfect for sharing with family or gifting to friends, this recipe brings holiday joy right into your kitchen with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way each ingredient plays a crucial role. From the creamy butter that forms the base, to the instant vanilla pudding mix that keeps these cookies irresistibly soft, and the festive M&M’s adding that vibrant holiday flair, every component contributes to a perfect Christmas cookie experience.
- 1 cup salted butter (softened): Soft butter ensures your cookies will be tender and flavorful.
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that complements the vanilla pudding.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps to achieve a nice cookie texture.
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) Instant Vanilla pudding mix: This is the secret ingredient that keeps cookies soft and moist for days.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together while adding richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: The structure of your cookies comes from this essential base.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps your cookies rise just enough without spreading too thin.
- 1 cup white chocolate chips: Melts in pockets, creating luscious sweet bites.
- 1 cup plain Christmas M&M’s: Adds festive color and a satisfying crunch.
How to Make Christmas M&M Pudding Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F for that perfect baking temperature. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the softened butter together with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Whip them comfortably until the mixture turns light and fluffy—this is key for a soft cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
Step 2: Add the Pudding, Eggs, and Vanilla
Next, incorporate the instant vanilla pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla extract into your creamed butter and sugar mix. Beat on medium speed just until everything comes together smoothly. The pudding mix not only adds flavor but also keeps the cookies deliciously moist, making them stand out during the holiday season.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix-ins
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking soda to the wet base, using a low speed to avoid overworking the dough. When the flour is just combined, gently fold in the white chocolate chips and the colorful Christmas M&M’s. These mix-ins bring bursts of sweetness and a joyful holiday vibe that’s irresistible.
Step 4: Bake Your Cookies
Scoop the dough by rounded 2-tablespoon portions onto greased cookie sheets, giving each enough space to spread slightly. Bake your Christmas M&M Pudding Cookies Recipe at 375°F for just 9 to 10 minutes. Remember, they might look a touch underbaked but trust that the pudding keeps them soft inside. Avoid overbaking to keep that perfect chewy texture.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool right on the cookie sheets—no need to transfer to wire racks. This resting allows them to finish setting up without losing that tender bite. Then, dive in and enjoy a festive treat you’ll want all season long.
How to Serve Christmas M&M Pudding Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an eye-catching presentation, consider sprinkling a few extra Christmas M&M’s or white chocolate chips on top of the cookies right out of the oven. A light dusting of powdered sugar can add a snowy holiday touch that’s visually delightful and adds just a hint of extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of hot cocoa or your favorite holiday-spiced coffee. For a brunch or dessert table, serve them alongside peppermint bark or gingerbread for a festive assortment that will impress your guests.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap your Christmas M&M Pudding Cookies in cellophane and tie with a red or green ribbon for charming holiday gifts. You can also stack them in a decorative jar or create a cookie platter with assorted shapes and sizes for a colorful centerpiece at your holiday parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying some fresh from the oven, store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and chewy for up to 5 days, making them perfect for a treat throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, cookie dough balls can be frozen on a baking sheet and then transferred to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen by adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well if wrapped individually or layered with parchment paper.
Reheating
Warm your cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds to refresh their soft, gooey texture. For a crispier edge with a soft center, pop them in a preheated oven at 325°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I substitute the Christmas M&M’s with regular M&M’s?
Absolutely! Regular M&M’s will work just fine and still add delightful color and crunch, though the holiday-themed colors give that extra festive vibe.
What if I don’t have instant vanilla pudding mix?
Instant pudding mix is key for the moist, soft texture in these cookies. While you can omit it, the cookies won’t be quite as tender and fluffy, so it’s worth picking up a box for this recipe.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, but results may vary slightly. Make sure the pudding mix and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Why do the cookies seem underbaked when I take them out?
The pudding mix keeps these cookies extra moist, so they can look a little soft and slightly underdone. That’s exactly how they should be to maintain a chewy texture once cooled.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields about 30 cookies when dropped by 2 tablespoon portions, making it a great batch size to share or gift during the holidays.
Final Thoughts
I can’t encourage you enough to try this Christmas M&M Pudding Cookies Recipe this season. The combination of soft, flavorful dough with festive colors and melty white chocolate creates a cookie you’ll want to make year after year. It’s the kind of recipe that warms hearts and spreads smiles, perfect for creating those memorable holiday moments with loved ones.
Print
Christmas M&M Pudding Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas M&M Pudding Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with holiday cheer. Made with a creamy vanilla pudding mix for extra moistness and loaded with white chocolate chips and colorful Christmas M&M’s, they are the perfect sweet treat for holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges. Quick to prepare and easy to bake, these cookies will delight both kids and adults alike with their festive colors and irresistible texture.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup salted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) Instant Vanilla pudding mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup plain Christmas M&M’s
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets or prepare baking surfaces so the cookies don’t stick.
- Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, which usually takes a few minutes.
- Add Pudding and Eggs: Mix in the instant vanilla pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed just until everything is combined evenly, ensuring the batter is smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking soda to the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed just until they are combined — avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently stir in the white chocolate chips and the Christmas M&M’s with a spatula, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
- Form Cookies: Drop the batter by 2-tablespoon-sized scoops onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them adequately to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9 to 10 minutes. Though they may look slightly underbaked, this ensures they stay soft and chewy. Be careful not to overbake.
- Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the cookie sheets to cool completely. There’s no need to transfer them to wire racks. Once cooled, serve and enjoy your festive cookies!
Notes
- Do not overbake; cookies may appear slightly undercooked but they will set as they cool.
- Use softened butter for easier mixing and better cookie texture.
- You can substitute the Christmas M&M’s with regular M&M’s or other colorful candies if desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour.
