Handwritten recipe card for M&M Cookies
by: salvagedrecipes

M&M Cookies with Brown Sugar and Nuts

M&M Cookies
M & M Cookies are a classic mid-20th-century American cookie that blends the structure of a traditional drop cookie with the novelty of candy-coated chocolate pieces. As M&M’s grew in popularity after World War II, home bakers began incorporating them into familiar cookie doughs, creating a colorful, crowd-pleasing treat. This recipe reflects that era’s baking style, simple pantry ingredients, hand-mixed dough, and straightforward oven baking. The addition of nuts adds texture and balance to the sweetness, while the brown sugar lends a soft, chewy interior. These cookies are beloved for their reliability, visual appeal, and nostalgic flavor that fits equally well on holiday trays or everyday cookie plates.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 36
Calories 165 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup butter (softened)
  • 1 ⅓ cups light brown sugar (firmly packed )
  • 2 eggs (large )
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup M&M candies
  • ½ cup nuts (chopped )

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

  • Mix butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.

Step 2: Add Flavorings and Eggs

  • Add vanilla extract.
  • Add eggs slowly, mixing well after each addition.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

  • Gradually add flour.
  • Add baking soda and salt.
  • Mix until fully combined.

Step 4: Add Mix-Ins

  • Stir in M&M candies.
  • Fold in chopped nuts until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

  • Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto a greased cookie sheet.

Step 6: Bake

  • Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly golden.

Tips

  • Chill dough for thicker cookies
  • Use peanut M&M’s for extra crunch
  • Swap walnuts for pecans
  • Add mini chocolate chips for richer flavor
  • Sprinkle tops with sea salt before baking
  • Bake on parchment for even browning
  • Slightly underbake for chewier centers

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2.3gFat: 7.8gSaturated Fat: 3.9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 95mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1.1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 185IUCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.9mg
Keyword chewy cookies, classic dessert, drop cookies, homemade treats, nut cookies, retro recipe, vintage baking
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