There’s a certain magic in the air when the aroma of freshly baked Soft Chewy Peanut Butter M&M Cookies wafts through your home. The warm, nutty scent mingles with hints of chocolatey sweetness, making it nearly impossible to resist sneaking a taste before they even cool down. Imagine soft, chewy centers bursting with colorful M&M candies that make these cookies a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.

These delightful treats are perfect for any occasion—whether you’re hosting a family gathering, celebrating a birthday, or simply indulging your sweet tooth on a rainy day. I remember whipping up a batch for my niece’s birthday party; the squeals of delight as she discovered the hidden M&Ms were worth every minute spent in the kitchen. Get ready for an incredible flavor experience that will leave you and your loved ones craving more.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Soft Chewy Peanut Butter M&M Cookies are incredibly easy to prepare, making baking a breeze even on busy days
- Their rich flavor combines creamy peanut butter with sweet chocolate candies for an irresistible treat
- Visually appealing with their bright colors, they are sure to impress guests at any gathering
- Versatile enough to customize with your favorite add-ins, these cookies can be adapted to suit any taste
Baking these cookies has become a cherished tradition in my family, often met with happy cheers and cookie crumbs flying everywhere.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our cookie dough; ensure it’s fresh for the best texture.
Baking Soda: This little leavener gives our cookies that perfect rise and soft chewiness.
Salt: A crucial ingredient that enhances all the flavors in our cookies.
Unsalted Butter: Use softened butter for easy mixing; it adds richness and moisture.
Brown Sugar: This adds depth and moisture to our cookies, making them irresistibly chewy.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps achieve that lovely golden color.
Peanut Butter: Choose creamy or crunchy according to your preference; it’s the star of this recipe!
Eggs: Bind everything together while adding moisture and richness to the dough.
M&M Candies: These colorful gems provide bursts of sweetness and fun in every bite.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup later.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This step ensures even distribution of all ingredients.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes. This aeration adds volume!
Add Peanut Butter and Egg: Mix in creamy peanut butter until fully incorporated, then add the egg and beat until smooth. The batter should look luscious at this point!
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in your dry mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; we want those cookies soft and chewy!
Add M&Ms and Scoop**: Fold in half of the M&Ms gently into the dough. Use a cookie scoop to drop dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Bake Until Golden**: Bake your cookies for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden but centers are still soft. Remove from oven and immediately press remaining M&Ms into each cookie.
Let those delicious Soft Chewy Peanut Butter M&M Cookies cool on the pan for about five minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. You’ll want them slightly warm so you can enjoy that gooey goodness!
Now go ahead! Revel in those chewy centers filled with surprise bursts of chocolatey delight! These cookies truly embody joy wrapped up in every bite!
Content
Tip: Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and texture. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and turn out soft. I learned this the hard way when my dough turned out crumbly, making me question my baking skills.
Tip: Don’t overmix the dough; mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. I once whisked like I was training for the Olympics, and my cookies ended up resembling hockey pucks instead of soft delights.
Tip: Chill the dough before baking for thicker cookies. Chilling helps prevent spreading and keeps those lovely M&M pockets intact. I had a batch spread so thin they became cookie pancakes—delicious but not what I intended!
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms, mix your dry ingredients separately. After that, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy, then combine with eggs and vanilla before adding the dry mix in stages. This order delivers perfect soft chewy peanut butter M&M cookies.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap peanut butter for almond or cashew butter for a unique flavor twist. You can also add chopped nuts or even shredded coconut for extra texture and taste. Just remember, keep those M&Ms coming; they’re the star of this cookie show!
Storing & Reheating
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze them for longer freshness. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them in an oven set at 300°F (150°C).
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Perfectly balance peanut butter and sugar for irresistible flavor while keeping your cookies chewy
- Avoid overbaking to retain softness, and use high-quality chocolate M&Ms to elevate each bite. </p>
- <p>Chill your dough if you prefer thicker cookies—it’s a game changer!
Sometimes, while baking these cookies, my kids sneak bites of dough; it’s always a delightful mess that results in smiles all around.
FAQ
Can I use natural peanut butter for soft chewy peanut butter M&M cookies?
Yes, but remember it may alter the texture slightly due to oil separation.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chill your dough before baking; it helps maintain shape during baking.
What can I substitute if I’m allergic to peanuts?
Use sunflower seed butter as a tasty alternative without nuts!
Soft Chewy Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
Soft Chewy Peanut Butter M&M Cookies are the ultimate indulgence that combines the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with the colorful sweetness of M&M candies. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are soft and chewy, making them irresistible right out of the oven.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup M&M candies
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Mix in peanut butter until fully combined, then add the egg and beat until smooth.
- Gradually stir in the dry mixture until just combined; do not overmix.
- Fold in half of the M&Ms gently into the dough.
- Use a cookie scoop to drop dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft. Press remaining M&Ms into each cookie immediately after removing from the oven.
- Let cool on the pan for about five minutes before transferring to wire racks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg