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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 1 cup brown sugar, tightly packed - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg, at room temperature - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt - 1 cup mini chocolate chips - 1 cup Christmas-themed M&M's - 1 tablespoon colorful sprinkles (for decoration, optional) When I make Christmas Cookie Monster Cookies, I love using these simple ingredients. They come together to create a soft and chewy cookie filled with festive joy. Each ingredient plays a role in building flavor and texture. Optional Decoration Items: You can add colorful sprinkles for a fun touch. Sprinkles bring a joyful look to the cookies. They also add a little crunch. You can use any type of sprinkles you like! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature works best for baking cookies. Next, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This step makes cleanup easy and helps the cookies not stick. In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer. Mix these on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes. You want the mixture to be light and fluffy. This step adds air to the dough and makes the cookies soft. Now, it’s time to add one large egg and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat this mixture again until everything is mixed well. Make sure there are no streaks of egg left. This part helps bind the dough together. In another bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking. Overmixing can make the cookies tough. Gently fold in 1 cup of mini chocolate chips and 1 cup of festive Christmas-themed M&M's using a rubber spatula. Be sure to mix them evenly throughout the dough. This step adds fun and flavor to each bite. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space each cookie about 2 inches apart. This allows the cookies to spread while baking. Bake them in the oven for 10-12 minutes, but keep an eye on them. The edges should be lightly golden, while the centers remain soft. Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling is key to getting the right texture. Enjoy the smell of fresh cookies! When baking cookies, the key is to know when to stop. Underbaking yields soft, chewy cookies. Overbaking gives you crunchy treats. For the best texture, take them out when the edges are golden and the centers look a bit shiny. They will firm up as they cool. Make your cookies shine with fun decorations! After baking, try drizzling melted chocolate over the tops. You can also add colorful sprinkles or extra M&M's for a festive touch. Stacking them on a lovely plate adds to the holiday charm. A sprinkle of powdered sugar can make them look extra special. Sometimes cookie dough can be tricky. If your dough is too crumbly, mix in a little milk. This helps bind it together. If it’s too sticky, add a bit more flour. Always remember to measure your ingredients carefully. This will help you avoid common problems and create perfect cookies every time! Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading and gives the cookies a better texture. Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better incorporation of ingredients. Don’t Overbake: To achieve soft and chewy cookies, take them out of the oven when the edges are golden but the centers are still slightly underbaked. They will continue to cook on the baking sheet. Storage Tip: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage. Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking. {{image_4}} You might want to try different sugars or flours. For a healthier option, use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. This gives a slight caramel flavor while lowering the glycemic index. If you’re gluten-free, replace all-purpose flour with almond flour. It adds a nutty taste and keeps cookies soft. Get creative with themes! For Halloween, swap Christmas-themed M&M's for orange and black candies. You can even change the sprinkles to match the season. For birthdays, use colorful sprinkles and mix in pastel candies. This makes the cookies fun for any occasion! Consider adding fun mix-ins. Try adding crushed peppermint candies for a minty twist. You can also mix in nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch. Another great idea is to add dried fruits like cranberries or cherries for a tangy flavor. These simple changes keep your cookies exciting! When storing your Christmas Cookie Monster cookies, keep them in an airtight container. This helps keep them soft and fresh. You can store them at room temperature for up to a week. If you live in a humid area, refrigeration might be better. However, cold air can make cookies hard. Freezing cookies is easy and fun! To freeze, let the cookies cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. They can last up to three months in the freezer. You can bake them straight from the freezer. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Understanding how long cookies last is key to enjoying them. At room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about seven days. In the fridge, they can last up to two weeks. When frozen, they taste great up to three months later. Just remember to check for any signs of freezer burn to keep them at their best! These cookies can last up to a week. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want them to stay fresh longer, keep them in the fridge. Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. This way, you can bake fresh cookies whenever you want. You can use white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even chopped nuts. They add a fun twist to your cookies. Just make sure to keep the same amount. Yes, you can freeze these cookies! After baking, let them cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. They can last up to three months. This article covered everything you need to bake tasty cookies. You learned the right ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. We explored fun variations and how to store cookies for freshness. Remember, cookie baking can be creative and enjoyable. Use these techniques to impress friends and family. Now, get in the kitchen and start baking those delicious cookies!

Christmas Cookie Monster Cookies

Delicious festive cookies loaded with chocolate chips and M&M's, perfect for the holiday season.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
  • 1 2/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 cup Christmas-themed M&M's
  • 1 tablespoon colorful sprinkles (for decoration, optional)

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Cream these together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add in the large egg and pure vanilla extract. Beat until well combined, ensuring no streaks of egg remain.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Gradually incorporate this dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
  • Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and Christmas-themed M&M's using a rubber spatula.
  • Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart.
  • If desired, sprinkle colorful sprinkles on top of each cookie before baking.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, monitoring closely for lightly golden edges and soft centers.
  • Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a delightful holiday display, stack the warm cookies on a festive plate and drizzle with melted chocolate.
Keyword Christmas, cookies, dessert, holiday