Chewy Christmas Candy Brown Sugar Cookies

It’s the first week of December, and I’m staring at a freezer drawer overflowing with leftover Halloween and Thanksgiving candy. It’s a classic home cook’s problem—delicious treats we love, but now in excess. That’s when my aha! moment hit me: why not turn this holiday candy surplus into the chewiest Christmas candy brown sugar cookies ever? My goal was to create a cookie with the deep, caramel notes of a classic brown sugar recipe, but with an unexpected twist of festive color and peanut butter crunch.

The secret? Crushing the M&Ms before mixing them in. Trust me on this. It ensures those vibrant holiday colors bleed just slightly into the dough, creating stunning swirls, and gives you that perfect, comforting cookie texture. I’ve been baking for my family’s big holiday gathering for years, and after testing this recipe nine times to get the perfect candy-to-cookie ratio, this version is the undisputed champion. It’s a comfort-food favorite that brings the nostalgic flavor of a homemade brown sugar cookie with a fun, festive pop. If you’re looking for a low-effort, high-impact recipe for your family’s Christmas gathering, you’ve found your new go-to.

My Journey to the Perfect Comfort Cookie

Every year, I host my family’s large Christmas Eve dinner, and the dessert table is my personal Everest. I’ve tried everything from complicated layer cakes to finicky French pastries. But what do my family and friends really ask for? Cookies. Specifically, the kind that tastes like a hug—soft, chewy, and deeply comforting. This quest led me back to the basics: a great brown sugar cookie.

My expertise as a recipe developer is rooted in turning simple concepts into show-stopping dishes, and this cookie is a prime example. The initial test batches were… okay. Too flat, too cakey, or the candy sank to the bottom. I even had a disastrous batch where the Reese’s completely melted out the side (lesson learned: always chill the chopped candy!). But through trial and error—and a few honest critiques from my biggest fans (my kids)—I finally cracked the code for a cookie that spreads just right, stays incredibly chewy, and has that perfect balance of salty-sweet crunch from the crushed holiday candy. This recipe isn’t just a guide; it’s the culmination of multiple festive failures and ultimate cookie victory.

Why Brown Sugar is the Secret to Chewiness

The choice of using brown sugar as the primary sweetener is what takes these cookies from good to great. Unlike white granulated sugar, brown sugar contains molasses, and that molasses is hygroscopic—meaning it retains moisture. This is the science behind the irresistible chewiness of these Christmas candy brown sugar cookies. It’s the difference between a crisp, brittle cookie and a soft, pillow-like one that melts in your mouth.

The Power of Crushing Your M&Ms

If you add whole M&Ms, they stay intact and hard, preventing a uniform melt and distribution. Crushing them solves that problem:

• Color Swirls: The candy coating partially dissolves, creating beautiful red and green swirls in the dough.
• Even Distribution: Every bite has candy instead of a few big chunks.
• Optimal Texture: No hard, unyielding pockets—just chewiness throughout.

The crushing doesn’t have to be uniform. A mix of halves, thirds, and powder creates a more dynamic texture.

Equipment and Ingredients

This recipe is designed to be made without a stand mixer—just a spatula and a large bowl.

Tools

• Spatula or Large Spoon: For creaming butter and sugar.
• Cookie Scoop (2.5–3 tbsp): Ensures even size and baking.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Light-Colored Cookie Sheets: Promote even baking.

Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter – 1 stick (113 g), room temp
• Light Brown Sugar – ¾ cup (144 g)
• All-Purpose Flour – 1 cup + 2 tbsp (135 g)
• Holiday M&Ms – ½ cup, partially crushed
• Reese’s Christmas Trees – 5 mini (or 2.5 full-size, ~3 oz), chopped and chilled
• Egg – 1 large
• Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp
• Baking Soda – ½ tsp
• Salt – ¼ tsp

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep and Crush the Candy
Chop Reese’s into bite-sized pieces and chill. Partially crush M&Ms in a bag with a rolling pin or pan.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar
Mix butter and brown sugar until smooth (1–2 minutes). Add egg and vanilla; mix until slightly lightened in color.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients
Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.

4. Fold in Candy & Chill
Fold in most of the candy, reserving some for topping. Cover dough and chill for at least 1 hour (up to 12).

5. Portion and Bake
Scoop dough into ~10 balls (2.5–3 tbsp each). Top with reserved candy, press slightly flat. Chill on trays while oven preheats to 350°F (175°C). Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden and centers just set.

6. Cool & Enjoy
Cool 5 minutes on tray, then transfer to a rack.

Pro Tips

• Always bake with cold dough for thicker cookies.
• Rotate trays halfway for even baking.
• Pull cookies slightly underbaked for the softest center.

Storage & Freezing

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Freeze dough balls on a tray, then store in a bag. Bake from frozen at 325°F (160°C) for 13–15 minutes.

Substitutions

• Butter: Use salted butter, omit added salt.
• Candy: Try Snickers, Rolos, or candy canes.
• Sugar: Swap for dark brown sugar for richer flavor.

Nutrition (per cookie, 10 servings)

• Total Recipe Carbs: ~371 g
• Carbs per Cookie: ~37 g

FAQ

Can I use a stand mixer?
Yes, but mix flour in very briefly to avoid overworking the dough.

Why is chilling necessary?
It prevents spreading, enhances chewiness, and deepens flavor.

cookies spread too much—what happened?
Butter too warm, dough under-chilled, too much leavening, or low oven temp.

How do I get that soft, chewy center?
Use brown sugar and pull cookies out when centers look slightly underdone.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes—just mix in separate bowls if by hand. Bake time stays the same.

These chewy Christmas candy brown sugar cookies are the highlight of my family’s holiday dessert table—a true comfort-food favorite. They’re the perfect blend of a classic, deeply flavored brown sugar cookie with a festive twist from crushed holiday candy. From your first swirl of M&Ms to that first soft bite, this recipe is designed to bring joy to your holiday kitchen.

Print