These oversized, chewy, and chocolatey cookies are packed with festive Valentine’s Day M&M candies, making them a delightful treat to share with loved ones. Perfect for celebrating love or indulging your sweet tooth, these cookies are easy to make and utterly irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun: The bright red, pink, and white M&Ms add a holiday charm.
- Perfectly Chewy: Achieve that ideal soft-center and crispy-edge texture.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most ingredients in your pantry.
- Kid-Friendly: A fun recipe to bake with kids for Valentine’s Day celebrations.
- Customizable: Swap M&Ms for other candies or add-ins for different occasions.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Large eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Valentine’s Day-themed M&Ms
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until fully combined.
- Gently fold in the Valentine’s Day M&Ms, reserving a handful for topping.
- Using a cookie scoop or your hands, shape the dough into large balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space for spreading.
- Press a few reserved M&Ms on top of each dough ball for a festive look.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the edges are set, but the centers look slightly underbaked.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 12 large cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Different Holidays: Swap Valentine’s M&Ms for holiday-themed colors like green and red for Christmas or pastel for Easter.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Mix in chocolate chips for extra gooeyness.
- Peanut Butter Lovers: Use peanut butter M&Ms for a nutty twist.
- Mini Cookies: Make smaller cookies by reducing the dough size and adjusting the bake time to 8-10 minutes.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
FAQs
How do I ensure my cookies are chewy?
Use a mix of brown and white sugar, and avoid overbaking. The centers should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven.
Can I use regular M&Ms instead of Valentine’s Day-themed ones?
Yes, regular M&Ms will work just as well.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Simply double the ingredients and ensure you have enough baking sheets.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Ensure your butter isn’t too soft, and chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking if needed.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
What’s the best cocoa powder to use?
Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results. Dutch-processed cocoa will give a richer flavor.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter is recommended for flavor and texture, but margarine can be substituted in a pinch.
How can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative and ensure the M&Ms are dairy-free.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes, chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds make a great addition.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should be set, and the centers should look slightly underbaked.
Conclusion
Big Chocolate M&M Valentine’s Day Cookies are the ultimate treat for celebrating love and indulgence. With their festive colors and irresistibly chewy texture, they’re perfect for any Valentine’s Day gathering or as a sweet homemade gift. Try them out and spread the love with every bite!
Print
Big Chocolate M&M Valentine’s Day Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13-16 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 12 large cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Big Chocolate M&M Valentine’s Day Cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream—soft, fudgy, and packed with festive M&M candies. They’re perfect for sharing with your loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Valentine’s Day M&M’s, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Extract: Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the almond extract and mix until combined.
- Incorporate Cocoa Powder: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the cocoa powder, mixing until well blended.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just incorporated.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and M&M’s: Using a spatula, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and ½ cup of the M&M’s until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and place them onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your hand.
- Add Remaining M&M’s: Press the remaining ½ cup of M&M’s onto the tops of the flattened dough balls for a festive appearance.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 13-16 minutes. The cookies should appear slightly undercooked in the center when you remove them from the oven; this ensures a soft and fudgy texture.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For the best flavor and texture, enjoy these cookies on the day they’re baked.
- Avoid overbaking to maintain their soft and fudgy centers.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
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