Ready in: 25 minutes · Serves: 24 cookies · Technique: Baking · Storage: Airtight container at room temperature.
Quick Answer
These White Chocolate M&M's Pudding Cookies are soft, chewy delights that bring festive cheer to any holiday gathering.
Ah, the joy of baking during the festive season! With the holidays around the corner, I can already imagine the cozy scents of cinnamon and nutmeg wafting through my New York City apartment. However, I also love to throw in a twist with something a bit different. That's where these White Chocolate M&M's Pudding Cookies come into play. They're soft, chewy, and packed with colorful M&M's that add a pop of cheer-perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings and Christmas cookie exchanges. Let's dive into this delightful recipe!
A Festive Holiday Treat
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Colorful M&M's add fun and festive vibes to your baking.
- Easy to make and perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges.
- Uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix keeps the cookies moist and tender.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you'll need a few key ingredients that play beautifully together:
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 (3.4 oz) package of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Mix-ins
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup M&M's (preferably a mix of holiday colors)
How to Make White Chocolate M&M's Pudding Cookies (Step-by-Step)
Let's dive into this delightful recipe and make some amazing cookies!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial as it ensures the cookies bake evenly, achieving that perfect balance of chewy centers and lightly crisp edges.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, which typically takes about 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Add Pudding Mix and Eggs
Next, sprinkle in the instant vanilla pudding mix and mix until combined. Then, beat in the eggs, one at a time, and add the vanilla extract. You'll notice the mixture taking on a luxurious, creamy texture.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to keep that soft texture in the cookies.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate
Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and M&M's using a spatula. I recommend reserving some M&M's to sprinkle on top before baking-they'll melt beautifully and create a stunning look.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough onto ungreased baking sheets, giving them plenty of space to spread out. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown but the centers still look slightly underbaked.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy the delightful aroma of butter and white chocolate filling your kitchen!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the Dough: This can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until combined!
- Not Chilling the Dough: If you have time, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes can enhance the flavors and help with spreading.
- Skipping the Pudding Mix: This is a key ingredient that keeps your cookies moist and chewy; don't skip it!
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Use Quality Chocolate: Opt for high-quality white chocolate chips that will melt beautifully.
- Try Different M&M's: Mix in varieties like peanut or caramel for unexpected flavors.
- Add a Pinch of Cinnamon: A dash can add warmth and spice, perfect for the holiday season.
Variations
- Substitute almond extract for vanilla for a nutty flavor.
- Use dark chocolate chips instead of white for a richer taste.
- Add chopped nuts for extra texture.
- Incorporate dried fruits for a chewy twist.
How to Serve
- Enjoy warm with a glass of milk.
- Serve on a festive platter for holiday gatherings.
- Pair with ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Wrap them as gifts for friends and family during the holidays.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: Prepare the dough and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Storage: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Reheating: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for a few seconds for a freshly baked taste.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough scoops for up to 3 months; bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes.
Recipe Notes / What I Learned
Through numerous trials, I've discovered that the instant pudding mix significantly enhances both texture and flavor, ensuring the cookies remain soft and tender. Additionally, the vibrant colors of the M&M's lend a festive touch that brightens up any holiday occasion, making these cookies a delightful treat for gatherings.
Yield and Serving Size
Yield: 24 cookies · Serving Size: 1 cookie
Nutrition Snapshot
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving: ~150 calories · 2g protein · 20g carbs · 7g fat
Recipe by:
Delightful White Chocolate M&M's Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Sprinkle in the instant vanilla pudding mix and mix until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time and add vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture until just combined.
- Gently fold in white chocolate chips and M&M's, reserving some M&M's for topping.
- Scoop the dough onto ungreased baking sheets and bake for about 10-12 minutes until edges are golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
Notes
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can experiment with different types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips, for a varied flavor. Adding peanut or caramel M&M's is also a fun twist!
How should I store the cookies to keep them fresh?
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay soft for about a week. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months and bake directly from the freezer.
Can I chill the dough before baking?
Yes, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes can enhance the flavors and help control the spreading during baking. It's a great option if you have the time!
