Rainbow M&M Cookies Recipe

Colorful Rainbow M&M Cookies Recipe: A Sweet Family Treat

Colorful rainbow M&M cookies bring pure childhood joy to your baking adventure.

Sweet memories sparkle through every chocolate-studded bite.

Crisp edges and soft centers create pure magic in each morsel.

Playful candy pieces scattered across golden dough promise delightful surprises.

Kids and adults alike will fall in love with these vibrant treats.

Simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary with minimal effort.

One batch guarantees smiles and excitement around the kitchen counter.

Bake these cookies and watch happiness unfold before your eyes.

Rainbow M&M Cookies: Colorful and Fun

  • Burst with Colorful Joy: These cookies explode with vibrant M&M colors, making them a visual delight that instantly brightens any dessert table.
  • Quick Family Baking Adventure: Perfect for families wanting a fun, simple baking project that brings everyone together with minimal kitchen skills required.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Guaranteed to wow kids and adults alike, these cookies combine classic chocolate chip comfort with playful, rainbow-like candy crunch.
  • Stress-Free Preparation: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can whip up these delicious treats without complicated techniques or extensive baking experience.

Ingredients for Rainbow M&M Cookies

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides moisture and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredients that add sweetness and help create a chewy, caramelized cookie.
  • Eggs: Binding agents that help hold the cookie dough together and provide structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: A flavor enhancer that adds depth and warmth to the cookie's taste.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component that gives the cookies their shape and texture.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: A flavor enhancer that balances the sweetness and brings out the other ingredients' flavors.
Mix-In Ingredients:
  • M&M Candies, Chocolate Chips: Colorful and sweet add-ins that provide bursts of chocolate flavor and visual appeal to the cookies.

How to Bake Rainbow M&M Cookies

How to Bake Rainbow M&M Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C), getting ready for some delicious cookie magic.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar

Whip these ingredients until they transform into a fluffy, light cloud of sweetness.

Step 3: Add Liquid Goodness

Gently incorporate eggs one at a time, then splash in the vanilla extract.

Mix until everything looks smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Whisk these together to create a perfect powdery blend.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Stir gently until everything is just combined – don’t overmix!

Step 6: Sprinkle in Colorful Treats

Fold in M&M candies and chocolate chips, creating a rainbow of delightful bits throughout your cookie dough.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Drops

Use a scoop or spoon to place cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet.

Leave plenty of space between each cookie for spreading.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden and the centers look slightly soft.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Get ready to munch on some colorful, delicious treats!

Tips for Rainbow M&M Cookies Perfection

  • Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies soft and tender, which prevents tough, dense results.
  • Gently press extra M&Ms on top of cookie dough balls before baking to ensure colorful, visible candy throughout each cookie.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to minimize cookie spread and maintain a thick, chewy texture.
  • Remove cookies when edges are golden but centers look slightly underbaked, as they'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture and softness for several days.

Variations on Rainbow M&M Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Celebration: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips and vegan M&M alternatives.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reduce total sugar content while maintaining cookie's sweet profile.
  • Protein Power Cookies: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the dry ingredients for an extra nutritional boost and slightly different texture.

Serving Suggestions for Rainbow M&M Cookies

  • Colorful Cookie Platter: Arrange cookies in a circular pattern on a vibrant plate, showcasing the rainbow M&M colors for a stunning visual display.
  • Milk Pairing Delight: Serve alongside cold glasses of milk in different sizes for a classic, nostalgic dessert experience that kids and adults will love.
  • Dessert Buffet Star: Create a cookie tower or scatter cookies among other sweet treats on a dessert table for parties and gatherings, adding a playful and colorful touch.
  • Ice Cream Sandwich Magic: Use two cookies to sandwich a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream, creating a decadent and fun summer dessert that highlights the cookie's sweet crunch.

Storage Tips for Rainbow M&M Cookies

  • Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep them in the coolest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
  • Wrap cookie dough balls tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
  • Individually wrap cooled cookies in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Store for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Warm individual cookies for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in short bursts to prevent hardening and maintain soft texture.

FAQs

  • Can I use different types of M&Ms in this recipe?

Yes, you can use any color or variety of M&Ms, including milk chocolate, peanut, or seasonal flavors to customize your cookies.

  • How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking and ensure your butter isn’t too soft. This helps maintain the cookie’s shape during baking.

  • Are these cookies good for kids' parties?

Absolutely! The colorful M&Ms make these cookies super fun and appealing to children, and they’re easy to make and share.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 weeks before baking.

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Rainbow M&M Cookies Recipe

Rainbow M&M Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Colorful rainbow m&m cookies bring playful joy to classic chocolate chip treats. Sweet chocolate chips and candy-coated m&m pieces create delightful crunch for cookie enthusiasts who crave nostalgic dessert experiences.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs

Candy and Chocolate:

  • 1 1/2 cups (280 grams) M&M candies
  • 1/2 cup (90 grams) chocolate chips

Seasoning and Leavening Agents:

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Using an electric mixer, blend butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and aerated.
  3. Incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate mixing bowl.
  5. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until just combined and avoiding overmixing.
  6. Gently fold colorful M&M candies and chocolate chips into the cookie dough, distributing evenly.
  7. Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies approximately 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden edges and soft centers.
  9. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 3-4 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum.
  • Use different colored M&M’s to match seasonal themes or special occasions like holidays or birthday parties.
  • Customize the chocolate chips by using white, dark, or milk chocolate to complement the colorful M&M’s and add extra flavor complexity.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 192
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 77 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Mia Thompson

Mia Thompson

Pastry Chef & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Creating wholesome, seasonal desserts with a focus on nutrition.
  • Developing recipes on healthy baking alternatives.
  • Experimenting with plant-based and gluten-free recipes.​

Education

Portland Community College – Baking and Pastry Arts Program
Specialized in artisanal bread, seasonal desserts, and sustainable baking methods.

National University of Natural Medicine – Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BScN)
Focused on “Food as Medicine” philosophy, with core threads in nutrition.


Mia’s love affair with baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen, where sneaking spoonfuls of batter first sparked her curiosity. She refined her skills through Portland Community College’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program and her expertise at the National University of Natural Medicine, earning a B.Sc. in Nutrition.
At The Scrumptious Pumpkin, Mia reimagines classics with effortless seasonal treats, healthier twists on old favorites, and playful confections that feel like pure joy. Beyond the oven, she nurtures her urban garden, forages local ingredients around Portland, and leads hands‑on nutrition workshops for her community.

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