Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&M’s and Pretzels Recipe

If you love a cookie that’s bursting with colorful, crunchy, and sweet surprises, then you’re in for a treat with this Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&M’s and Pretzels Recipe. It’s the ultimate holiday cookie that feels like a festive party in every bite. I absolutely love how these cookies mix sweet, salty, and a touch of chocolatey goodness all together. Plus, there’s a satisfying crunch from pretzels and even potato chips! Trust me, once you make these, they’ll quickly become a holiday staple at your house.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how this recipe combines basic cookie ingredients with unexpected mix-ins that take it to the next level. When shopping, keep an eye out for festive M&M’s and crunchy pretzels that aren’t too salty or thick—they should blend nicely into the cookie bites.

• All purpose flour: Spoon and level so you don’t accidentally pack in too much flour; this helps keep cookies tender, not dense.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Both work together to give a perfect rise and light texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Unsalted butter: Melted, but make sure it’s cooled to room temp to avoid scrambling the eggs or creating greasy dough.
• Dark brown sugar: Adds depth with a molasses note that makes cookies taste extra rich.
• White granulated sugar: For that crisp sweetness and balance to the brown sugar.
• Eggs: Room temperature helps everything come together smoothly.
• Vanilla extract: Boosts all the flavors and adds warmth.
• M&M’s (red and green): The star of the show—adds vibrant color and a sweet chocolate crunch.
• White chocolate chips: Creamy bursts of sweetness throughout the cookie.
• Pretzels: Broken into small pieces for that irresistible salty crunch.
• Potato chips: Trust me on this surprise ingredient—it adds an unmatchable salty crisp texture.
• Holiday sprinkles: I use jimmies because they hold up well during baking and add festive charm.

Variations

This recipe is flexible and super forgiving, which I love. I often tweak things based on what I have or to accommodate guests’ preferences. You can definitely make it your own!

• Nut-Free Variation: I’ve made these without nuts successfully, just omit any nuts if you want to keep them allergy-safe without losing texture.
• Chocolate Lovers’ Version: Swap white chocolate chips for semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips for a richer chocolate flavor — my kids are obsessed with this version.
• Gluten-Free Version: Try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I had great success with this substitution, just be sure to chill the dough well.
• Extra Crunch: For a little more salty crunch, throw in some chopped salted peanuts or roasted almonds.

How to Make Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&M’s and Pretzels Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Butter and Dry Ingredients

Start by melting your unsalted butter and letting it cool for about 20 minutes. This is important—if your butter’s too warm, it’ll cook your eggs when you mix them and you’ll end up with an oddly textured dough. Meanwhile, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl, so they’re evenly combined. I learned this trick really helps keep your cookies light and consistent.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars with Eggs and Vanilla

Next, whisk the cooled melted butter with both dark brown and white sugars until the mixture is smooth. Then add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. I used to whisk everything vigorously, but I found gently combining helps keep my cookies tender instead of dense.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients, Then Mix in the Fun Stuff

Slowly add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients and stir gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix, or you risk tough cookies. Now comes the fun part—fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzels, crushed potato chips, and holiday sprinkles. The key here is to mix evenly so each cookie gets a little bit of everything. I always reserve a few M&M’s and pretzels to press on top right before baking for a pretty finish.

Step 4: Chill the Dough and Bake

Use a 1 ½ ounce scoop to drop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour—this chilling step makes a big difference. If you’re in a hurry, freezing for 30 minutes works too! When your oven is preheated to 350°F, space the cookies evenly and bake for 13-15 minutes, turning the pan halfway through so they brown evenly. Once out of the oven, I like to gently shape each warm cookie with a large cookie cutter and press a few extra M&M’s and pretzels on top—it makes them stunning for a holiday platter.

How to Serve Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&M’s and Pretzels Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a few extra red and green M&M’s on top right after baking—they look so festive. Sometimes I also sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top to highlight the salty-sweet contrast. It’s a little detail that makes people ask for the recipe again and again.

Side Dishes

These cookies are quite rich on their own, but I like serving them alongside a simple hot cocoa or a cup of warm spiced apple cider during holiday gatherings. If you’re making a cookie platter, add some roasted nuts or dried fruit for variety.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I sometimes stack these cookies with parchment between layers inside a vintage tin decorated with a festive ribbon—perfect for gifting! Another idea I tried was cutting the dough into smaller balls and baking mini cookies for portion control and cute bite-size treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, with a slice of bread wrapped in parchment inside the container to keep them soft for days. This trick really keeps them from drying out.

Freezing

You can definitely freeze the raw cookie dough balls before baking. Just portion them onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zippered bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen—just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To reheat leftover cookies, I pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to warm and refresh the crispness without drying them out. Microwaving works too but can make them chewy if you overdo it.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&M’s and Pretzels Recipe is truly one of my holiday favorites because it’s fun, festive, and full of wonderful textures and flavors. Making these cookies always fills my kitchen with warmth and joy, and sharing them brings smiles to everyone’s faces. If you want a cookie that’s easy to make but special enough for your holiday gift boxes or cookie exchanges, give this recipe a shot—you won’t regret it!

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