Soft Chewy Easter Cookies

These Spring Easter M&M Cookies combine the perfect chocolate chip cookie texture with festive pastel candy for an irresistible treat. With golden-brown edges giving way to soft, tender centers, these cookies strike the ideal balance between crispy and chewy. The colorful Easter M&Ms provide both visual appeal and a satisfying crunch against the rich, buttery cookie base.

I first made these for an impromptu Easter gathering and was amazed at how quickly they disappeared. What impressed me most was how the simple addition of colorful candy transformed a classic chocolate chip cookie into something that felt special and festive—now they're requested at every spring celebration.

Essential Ingredients

• Unsalted butter – Provides rich flavor and creates the perfect cookie texture; using unsalted allows precise control over the saltiness
• Brown sugar – Adds moisture and a caramel-like depth of flavor that makes these cookies exceptionally tender and chewy
• Cornstarch – The secret ingredient that keeps these cookies thick and soft, preventing them from spreading too thin
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Offers a balanced chocolate flavor that complements the sweeter M&Ms without overwhelming them
• Easter M&Ms – Creates festive pops of color throughout the cookies; their candy shell provides a satisfying contrast to the soft cookie

Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions

Prepare your baking environment –

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Proper preparation ensures your cookies bake evenly and don't stick. Allow your butter to soften naturally at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes before beginning—butter that's too cold won't incorporate properly, while butter that's too soft will cause the cookies to spread excessively.

Combine the dry ingredients –

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon salt. Whisking the dry ingredients separately ensures they'll be evenly distributed throughout the dough, preventing pockets of salt or baking soda. The cornstarch is particularly important as it helps create that soft, thick texture that makes these cookies special.

Create the cookie base –

In a large bowl using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream together 3/4 cup (1½ sticks) softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This creaming process incorporates air into the mixture, which helps create the perfect cookie texture. Add 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and uniform in color.

Form the dough –

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can develop the gluten in the flour and lead to tough cookies. When the flour is almost fully incorporated but a few streaks remain, stop the mixer. Add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of Easter M&Ms, and fold them in gently using a wooden spoon or spatula. This gentle folding prevents the M&Ms from breaking and creates a more attractive cookie.

Shape and prepare for baking –

Using a large cookie scoop or about 2 tablespoons of dough, form generous balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. For bakery-style cookies, press a few additional M&Ms and chocolate chips onto the tops of each dough ball. This extra step ensures your cookies will have that picture-perfect appearance with visible candies on top.

Bake to perfection –

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden but the centers still look slightly underdone. This is crucial—the cookies will continue to bake from residual heat after removal from the oven. For perfectly round cookies, use a large round cookie cutter or glass to gently swirl around each cookie immediately after removing from the oven, shaping them into perfect circles. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Perfect Texture Secrets

The hallmark of these cookies is their perfect texture—crisp around the edges with soft, chewy centers. Several elements contribute to this ideal balance. The combination of brown and white sugar creates the perfect moisture level and chewiness. Brown sugar contributes moisture and a deeper flavor, while white sugar helps create those crispy edges.

The addition of cornstarch is a game-changer for cookie texture. This often-overlooked ingredient prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, resulting in thicker, softer cookies. It also helps create that melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes these cookies irresistible.

Another crucial factor is baking time. These cookies should be removed from the oven when they still look slightly underdone in the center. They will finish cooking on the hot baking sheet, resulting in perfectly baked cookies that stay soft for days.

Creative Variations

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. While Easter M&Ms create a springtime theme, you can easily adapt these cookies for any occasion by changing the candy. Use red and green M&Ms for Christmas, red, white, and blue for Independence Day, or orange and brown for fall holidays.

Beyond just changing colors, experiment with different mix-ins. Try adding 1/2 cup of chopped pretzels for a sweet-salty combination, or substitute butterscotch chips for the chocolate chips. For a texture contrast, consider adding 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.

My grandmother always said that the secret to perfect cookies was to take them out when you think they need another minute—her wisdom holds true with these cookies. She taught me that patience in letting cookies cool properly on the baking sheet completes the baking process while maintaining that perfect soft center.

I've been making versions of these cookies for years, and what I love most is how they never fail to bring joy to whoever eats them. There's something about the colorful candies peeking through the golden cookie that simply makes people smile. Whether for a holiday gathering or just because it's Wednesday, these cookies have a way of making any day feel a little more special.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Just add 1-2 minutes to the baking time when baking from frozen.

→ Why are my cookies flat?

Your butter might be too soft or melted. Make sure it's just softened enough to press into gently. Chilling the dough also helps prevent flat cookies.

→ Can I use regular M&Ms instead of Easter ones?

Absolutely! Any variety of M&Ms works great in this recipe. Use seasonal colors to match different holidays.

→ How do I store these cookies?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.

→ Can I make these without chocolate chips?

Yes, you can omit the chocolate chips and use 2 cups of M&Ms instead, or substitute with white chocolate chips for variety.