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; 1 egg; 2 cups flour; 1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces, dry, instant); 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

Imagine biting into a cookie that’s soft, chewy, packed with rich chocolate, and bursting with colorful M&M candies. This Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe is just that—a festive treat that never fails to bring smiles. They’re perfect whether it’s the holidays or you just want a fun twist on classic chocolate chip cookies.

A pile of round cookies spread out closely together on a white marbled surface, each cookie golden brown with a soft, slightly wrinkled texture. The cookies are thick and studded generously with red, green, and white small candy-coated chocolate pieces as well as dark brown and white chocolate chips, creating a festive color mix on each cookie surface. Scattered candy pieces are also visible around the cookies, and a red and white twisted string lies partly under the cookies at the bottom right corner. The overall look is warm, colorful, and inviting. 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

I’ve made countless cookies, but this Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe stands out every time because it hits that perfect balance between soft, fudgy, and just sweet enough. It’s like a holiday hug in cookie form that everyone asks me to bring back.

Super Soft Texture: The instant vanilla pudding mix is my secret weapon for that chewy, melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Double the Chocolate: With semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, plus those colorful M&Ms, each bite is an exciting chocolate explosion.
Festive and Fun: The red and green M&Ms aren’t just pretty—they add a satisfying crunch and kid-friendly appeal.
Simple to Make: Straightforward ingredients and easy steps make this recipe perfect even on a busy day.

A close-up view of a pile of soft, round cookies on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light golden-brown color with a slightly bumpy texture and is studded with colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces in red and green, along with dark and white chocolate chips, all slightly embedded in the cookie dough. A few red and white twisted candy sticks lay casually among the cookies, adding a festive touch. The overall look is warm and inviting, with the cookies appearing thick and soft. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating those perfectly chewy, deeply chocolatey cookies with pops of candy goodness. Shopping tip: look for a good quality instant vanilla pudding mix — it really transforms texture without fuss.

Flat lay of a small mound of soft butter, a small heap of packed brown sugar, a small heap of granulated white sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with pale golden vanilla extract, a single whole uncracked brown egg, a small pile of all-purpose flour, a small mound of dry instant vanilla pudding mix powder, a small heap of baking soda powder, a small heap of fine salt, a small white ceramic bowl filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl filled with red and green M&M candies all arranged in perfect symmetry, 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: Softened for easy creaming, it adds richness and keeps the cookies tender.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel flavor that deepens the cookie’s complexity.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps the cookies spread just right.
Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and rounds out the chocolate.
Egg: Binds everything together and helps to create that soft interior.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie providing structure.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: A game-changer for soft texture without extra effort.
Baking Soda: Leavens the dough just enough for a tender crumb.
Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances sweetness.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Rich chocolate flavor with gooey pockets melted inside.
White Chocolate Chips: Adds creamy sweetness and color contrast.
Red and Green M&M Candies: Festive crunch and bursts of candy-coated sweetness.

📝

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

One of the best things about this Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I love swapping out the M&Ms for other candy colors depending on the season or adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking for a salty-sweet kick.

Variation: I once tried adding chopped nuts for extra crunch, and it took these cookies to the next level—feel free to experiment with walnuts or pecans.
Dietary Swap: Use dairy-free butter and a vegan pudding mix to make these cookies friendly for dairy-sensitive friends.
Mix-ins Galore: Chocolate chunks, toffee bits, or a handful of mini marshmallows can all work beautifully here.

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

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

I start with softened butter, and beat it along with the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy — this usually takes about 1-2 minutes. This step traps air, which is key for tender cookies. Then I add in the vanilla and egg, mixing until the dough feels smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

While the wet ingredients are chilling, whisk together the flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. The instant pudding might seem unusual, but trust me—it’s the magic behind these cookies’ wonderful softness.

Step 3: Mix Dry Into Wet, Stir in Chocolate Chips

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until everything is incorporated. Then fold in most of the semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, saving a few for decorating later. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour — this chilling step really helps develop flavor and improves texture.

Step 4: Prep and Shape Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F. I like to mist my baking sheet with cooking spray, then wipe it with a paper towel to get an ultra-light coating that prevents sticking without greasy spots. Scoop about 3 tablespoons of dough (think golf ball size), roll into balls, then gently press the remaining chocolate chips and M&Ms into the tops. This step ensures those colorful candies shine after baking.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake for 9-12 minutes. The trick here is to pull them out when they’re set but still slightly underdone—that way, they stay soft and chewy. Let them cool at least 10 minutes on the sheet so they firm up and finish cooling completely on a rack before storing.

Top Tip

From my experience baking these cookies multiple times, a few tips have really helped me nail perfect results every time.

Chill the Dough Well: That hour in the fridge makes the flavors meld and stops the cookies from spreading too thin.
Don’t Overbake: Pull them out when edges look set but centers seem a bit soft—they’ll finish cooking on the pan off heat.
Gentle Pressing of M&Ms: Adding M&Ms after shaping keeps their colors vibrant and prevents cracking or fading during baking.
Use Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: I’ve tried other methods, but the instant mix consistently gives these cookies that wonderfully chewy texture you can’t get otherwise.

How to Serve Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe

double chocolate chip cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple by adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a slight drizzle of melted white chocolate for an extra touch of elegance. During the holidays, a sprinkle of edible red and green glitter can make these cookies truly pop on a festive platter.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or even a coffee latte if you want a grown-up twist. I love serving them alongside warm apple cider during the chills of winter—it’s a cozy combo that always hits the spot.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged them on tiered cake stands mixed with candy canes and fresh pine sprigs—it makes a stunning centerpiece. Or, wrap a few in clear gift bags tied with a ribbon as easy last-minute edible gifts that everyone will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay soft for days. If they start to firm up, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them up like fresh-baked.

Freezing

This dough freezes beautifully. I portion it into dough balls and flash freeze them on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. When I want fresh cookies, I just bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to baking time.

Reheating

Leftover cookies can be warmed gently in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) for a few minutes to revive that fresh-baked softness and gooey chocolate pockets.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What makes this Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe different from regular chocolate chip cookies?

This recipe uses an instant vanilla pudding mix in the dough, which adds extra moisture and tenderness, making the cookies chewier and softer than traditional chocolate chip cookies. Plus, the combo of semi-sweet and white chocolate chips with festive M&Ms gives extra layers of flavor and fun texture.

Can I use regular pudding mix instead of instant pudding mix?

I recommend sticking with instant vanilla pudding mix because it blends into the dough without needing cooking. Using regular pudding mix usually requires preparation and won’t have the same effect on cookie texture.

How do I prevent the M&M candies from cracking or losing color during baking?

The trick is to add most of the M&Ms after shaping the dough balls, gently pressing them onto the cookie surface right before baking. This way, they stay intact and keep their vibrant colors.

Can I freeze the cookie dough and bake later?

Absolutely! Portion the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray. Once firm, transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake the cookies straight from frozen, just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a great way to have fresh cookies anytime!

Final Thoughts

This Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe is special to me because it never fails to spread joy—whether I’m baking for family, friends, or just myself. The combination of pudding for softness and colorful M&Ms for fun makes every batch feel a little like magic. I hope you’ll try it and see how easy and rewarding homemade cookies can be, especially when they taste this good!