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

There’s something irresistible about the rich, fudgy goodness paired with festive pops of color in this Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with chocolate — truly a treat worth making anytime you want to brighten your day or share some holiday cheer.

A pile of round cookies is shown on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is light brown with a soft texture and has colorful candy pieces embedded on top in red, green, white, and dark brown colors. The cookies overlap each other, showing a mix of smooth and slightly bumpy surfaces with the candy pieces scattered unevenly. Near the bottom right, there is a red and white twisted string lying on the surface among some loose candy pieces. 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

Whenever I make this recipe, the mix of double chocolate chips and festive M&M candies never fails to put a smile on everyone’s face. Plus, these cookies balance gooey softness with a slight crunch on the outside — the perfect combo that you’ll find yourself craving again and again.

Soft and Chewy Texture: The addition of instant vanilla pudding mix keeps these cookies irresistibly moist and tender.
Double Chocolate Delight: Both semi-sweet and white chocolate chips create a rich, layered chocolate flavor.
Festive & Colorful: The red and green M&M candies add a fun holiday vibe that makes them perfect for any celebration.
Easy to Make: The recipe is straightforward and forgiving, even if you’re not a baking expert.

A close-up view of several soft, round cookies stacked and spread out on a white marbled surface, each cookie has a light golden-brown color with visible chunks of dark chocolate chips and small colorful candy pieces in red, green, and white scattered on top. There is a red and white twisted candy cane placed diagonally across some cookies, and the cookies show a slightly uneven texture, indicating a soft and chewy look. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses ingredients that play off each other beautifully—classic cookie staples combined with instant vanilla pudding to add softness, plus the mix of chocolate chips and M&Ms for texture and color. Shopping tip: make sure the pudding mix is instant; otherwise, your cookies won't have that signature melt-in-your-mouth feel.

Flat lay of softened butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a small mound of light and dark brown sugar side by side in another white bowl, a small white bowl with granulated white sugar, a whole clean brown egg with uncracked shell, a small white bowl containing smooth vanilla extract liquid, two cups of white all-purpose flour in a white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with fine dry instant vanilla pudding powder, a small white bowl with baking soda powder, a small white bowl with fine salt, a small white bowl of glossy semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl of creamy white chocolate chips, a small white bowl of shiny red and green M&M candies, all ingredients arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, 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 butter creates that tender crumb and rich flavor.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel depth that balances the chocolate.
Sugar: Helps with sweetness and cookie spread.
Vanilla Extract: Magic flavor enhancer that brightens every bite.
Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
Flour: The cookie’s structure foundation—use all-purpose for best results.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: This is the secret to super soft, chewy cookies—you really don’t want to skip it!
Baking Soda: Leavens the dough for lightness and a bit of lift.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances chocolate flavor.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic chocolate chunks for a bittersweet touch.
White Chocolate Chips: These add creamy sweetness and contrast both in flavor and color.
Red and Green M&M Candies: Festive and fun, they give each cookie pops of color and a crunchy surprise.

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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

I love how versatile this Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe is, and I often tweak it to suit the occasion or what I have on hand. You can easily switch up the candy colors or experiment with different chocolate chips depending on your mood.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the white chocolate chips for butterscotch or peanut butter chips—adds a fun twist I highly recommend trying if you like experimenting!
Dietary Swap: Use gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free, and they still turn out fantastic.
Seasonal Changes: Replace the red and green M&Ms with orange and black ones for Halloween or pastel colors for Easter.
Extra Texture: Stir in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts if you want a little crunch mixed in.

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

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars

I start by beating softened butter with brown sugar and white sugar until it’s light and fluffy, usually takes about 1-2 minutes on medium speed. This aeration helps give the cookies a lovely lift and soft texture. Make sure your butter really is softened—not melted—to get this right. Then, I mix in vanilla and one egg until everything’s well blended.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Next, whisk together the flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. It’s important to mix these dry ingredients well to evenly distribute the pudding mix, which does all the magic for softness and chewiness.

Step 3: Bring the Dough Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined—don’t overmix or you’ll end up with tougher cookies. Then fold in most of your chocolate chips, reserving a handful for decorating later. Cover the dough and pop it in the fridge for at least one hour. This chill time helps control spread so your cookies stay thick and chewy.

Step 4: Prep and Shape Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease your baking sheet. I usually mist the pan with cooking spray and then wipe it down with a paper towel to prevent sticking without greasing too heavily. Roll about 3 tablespoons of dough (around a golf ball size) into balls and arrange them on the sheet. Press the reserved chocolate chips and M&Ms gently onto the tops so they stay visible after baking—that way, they look just as good as they taste!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 9–12 minutes until they look set but are still a bit soft in the center. Overbaking can dry them out, so err on the side of slightly underdone. Let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes—the cookies continue to set as they cool—and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is key for the perfect chewy texture!

Top Tip

Having baked these cookies plenty of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really amp up the final cookie quality and make your baking experience smoother.

Butter Temperature: Use butter that’s softened but still cool to the touch—too warm and you’ll lose that wonderful fluffiness when creaming.
Chilling is Crucial: Don't skip chilling the dough! It keeps the cookies thick and prevents spreading into thin discs.
Cookie Size Matters: Using a cookie scoop or weighing dough balls ensures evenly baked cookies every time.
Decorate Before Baking: Pressing chocolate chips and M&Ms on top right before baking helps them stay put and look Instagram-worthy!

How to Serve Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe

double chocolate chip cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and serve these cookies as is because the M&Ms add such cheerful color and texture. But if you want a little extra flair, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or drizzle a little melted white chocolate over the top for a professional touch that contrasts nicely with the colorful candies.

Side Dishes

These cookies are amazing alongside a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of coffee or hot cocoa. If you’re planning a dessert spread, consider adding some whipped cream or fresh fruit for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these cookies on a festive platter with a jar of extra M&Ms nearby so guests can customize their cookie toppings. Another fun idea is to sandwich a dollop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a decadent treat that everyone loves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and chewy for about 4-5 days. If they start to dry out slightly, warming them in the microwave for 10 seconds brings back some of that fresh-baked texture.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully! I freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag once solid. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls, which is great if you want freshly baked cookies on demand. Just thaw the dough in the fridge overnight before baking.

Reheating

To reheat frozen or stored cookies, I pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or so until warm and soft again. It revives that perfect texture better than microwaving in my experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute regular chocolate chips for white chocolate chips in the Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! You can use any type of chocolate chips you prefer, such as milk chocolate or dark chocolate. It will still deliver that delicious double chocolate experience, just with a slightly different flavor profile.

Why is instant vanilla pudding mix used in this cookie recipe?

The instant vanilla pudding mix is the secret ingredient that makes these cookies soft, moist, and chewy by adding extra moisture and tenderness without changing the flavor. Make sure to use the instant type, not cook-and-serve pudding.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough up to a day in advance and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. This actually improves the flavor and texture. Just be sure to bring the dough back to fridge temperature before baking for even results.

How do I prevent my Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least one hour before baking is the best way to control spread. Also, using softened (not melted) butter and carefully measuring your flour can help keep your cookies thick and chewy instead of thin and flat.

Final Thoughts

This Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to treats—whether for a cozy night in or a festive party. The way the pudding mix adds softness, alongside the double chocolate and festive M&Ms, means these cookies never disappoint. I’m excited for you to make them, enjoy the process, and share a batch (or two) with your favorite people!