Sometimes you just need more simple cookie recipes ya know? I get such a high after baking something pretty and elaborate, but at the same time sometimes all I can possibly crank out are cookies.
Scoop- bake- plop on some candies and bite into chewy cookie delicous-ness. Why is it that the healthier I’m *trying* to be the more I really just want sugar?
Despite the baked goods I post here on the regular- I actually try to eat pretty well and normally love my fruits and veggies. But sometimes when I don’t even have an opportunity to grab a sip of water or shower, my body craves a quick sugar fix.
Which is WHY I brilliantly baked these cookies, ate two and then forced my sister to take the rest of them away stat. Cookies in my kitchen + over-tired/hungry Mama = disaster :) (I sure enjoyed my two cookies though!)
I call these “chewies” because that’s really what they are-oh so crispy on the edges, with super chewy centers and lots of M&M candies. I remember cookies like this in the window at Mrs. Fields at the mall.
I always passed them over for a frosted brownie or frosting-filled cookie cup instead, but loved the color they brought to the bakery case, always a bit curious as to if they were good or not. I’m normally not much of a candy person- but there’s something about M&Ms I can’t resist. I don’t know if Mrs. Field’s version was as delicious as these are, but if so I sure was missing out.
The key to getting the candies to stay pretty and not melted is to press them in right after baking. I tried it several ways and this was the only method that didn’t result in bleeding or cracked candies.
M&M Chewies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup granulated white sugar
- 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, plus 1 yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup M&M's candies
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment or Silicone baking liners. Set aside.
In a medium bowl- whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl fitted with a paddle attachment- cream the butter and sugars on high until smooth and pale.
Add the egg, the yolk and then the vanilla- mixing thoroughly.
Mix in the dry ingredients until combined.
Use a cookie scoop to portion dough 2-3 inches apart on cookie sheet (mine yielded 1 1/2 inch sized rounds-they will spread significantly) Gently flatten dough a little bit with your fingers.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Or until edges are set and slightly golden and set. Right away- press as many M&Ms as you want in the tops of the cookies.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These are definitely my kind of cookie. Yum!
Meg says
I’m such a fan of the chewy cookie — and yes, M&Ms really are fun! I generally shy away from candy, too, but they pack a nostalgic allure I can’t deny. Love that I already have the ingredients for these, too, minus the candies!
Librarian Lavender says
Such happy cookies!
Taylor @ greens & chocolate says
If these are just like Mrs. Field’s cookies, I will LOVE them! I haven’t had a Mrs. Field’s cookie in years but I feel like I can still taste them just thinking about them. I’m going to have to give this recipe a shot to bring me back to my high school mall rat days ;)
Rebecca says
I am going to make these! Yum!
M and Ms are going on the grocery list!
Sarah @ Sarah's Bake Studio says
#1 – These look delicious. #2 – My favorite cookie from Mrs. Fields is the M&M Cookie, which this looks just like. #3 – I LOVE M&M cookies. :)
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I agree that sometimes simple is better. These seem like they are so worth every gram of sugar. :) Pinning!
Emily @ Life on Food says
Cookies never get old. These look fantastic. I love M&M cookies.
Tricia says
OK. These are the cookies Tristan is begging me for ALL the time. Definitely printing this one out to save for a special treat! love the tip about how to keep the M&M’s looking pretty! And did I tell you my first job was working for Ms Field’s cookie in our local mall?!?!?! I was like 16!!! I had to wake up really early and I baked it all from scratch! I had to measure etc…it wasn’t already pre made dough! I have so many funny Ms Field’s cookies stories from that little summer. ;)
Audra says
I think I did know that- no wonder you are such a great baker!!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Is anything better than a chewy M&M cookie?! These are such a classic, and look so amazingly executed. Must try! Pinned.
Katie says
Yum! I’m all for “chewy” cookies! I think I need to make these stat!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
oooooh these cookies totally do look chewy! so buttery and perfect and delicious!
Meriem @ Culinary Couture says
Scoop, bake, and plop, that’s just how I like it! I think I need these after five rounds of macarons!
Erin m. says
These look perfect!
Renee @ Awesome on $20 says
Our brains use up a tremendous amount of glucose. Whenever I have a sugar craving, I just pretend it’s because I’m so outrageously intelligent that my brain needs more food. These cookies look great.
Meaghan says
Thank you for this recipe. It is a new favourite in our home!
leslie says
i love this recipe. the only problem was that the mnm’s kept on falling off the cookies. but really great recipe
Audra says
Did you nestle them in when the cookies were right out of the oven? You may need to press a bit harder next time :)
Rebecca says
They look amazing, what a good tip to add the M&Ms after baking! :D
Rebecca
icing-sugar.net
Angela says
The cookies are indeed delicious but I could not get the M&Ms to stay on them! They fell off left and right! Any ideas or suggestions?
Audra says
Hi Angela- did you press them in when the cookies were hot out of the oven?
Angela says
Audra, yes, I pressed them into the cookies when they were just out of the oven. Practically burned my fingers but thought that was the best/only way to ensure that they stayed on the cookies! Unfortunately, that didn’t work. My son-in-law loved them anyway!
Holly Senzig says
I don’t have a paddle attachment for my mixer, what other method would be best?
Thomasa Coleman says
Just made these cookies. Couldn’t stop eating them. Are now my go to recipe for m&m cookies.They’re crispy,soft and chewie.
Stacia says
I was thinking about how to make the M&M “mall cookies” the other day, and you answered all my questions! Like did the dough have brown sugar, because it didn’t seem like a pure white sugar cookie. And do they put the M&Ms on after it’s done baking. I am so excited to try these out!
Lindsay says
Love these cookies. How do I prevent them from being flat? Was my butter too warm? Did I over beat?