These Funfetti M&M Cookies are pretty, festive, and perfect for Valentine’s Day. They are completely hand-mixed and so easy to make!
These fun and festive cookies are bright, colorful, and cheery. With Valentine’s Day only three weeks away, there’s no better time to make them.
What kind of texture do they have? Well, they have a tender and crumbly chew throughout. I also love them slightly underbaked because it adds dimension to the bite. There is a nice balance between the crispier bottom and edges and the soft, chewy center.
Confession: the cookies don’t come out of the oven looking like what you see here. They bake up smooth and slightly dome-shaped, which is fine but not the look I was going for. After many attempts, I couldn’t change the look without sacrificing either the taste, texture, or coloration. I went back to the original recipe and realized there was an easy fix. I came up with a hack to change the plain cookies to ones with undulation and texture as seen in these pictures.
What did I do? I baked the cookies until the tops developed a thin crusty skin but still wet and doughy underneath. Then using the end of a wooden spoon, poked several holes to create indentations. The cookies were then returned to the oven for a few minutes to finish baking. Finally, I got what I wanted! Cookies that were once slightly dome-shaped and smooth transformed into ones with mounds and crevices with a more satisfying chew. The texture was on point with a great blend of chewiness and crispiness.
I love the transformation! Rest assured, I’ll be using this hack again!!
How to keep these cookies light in color?
In some cookie recipes, brown sugar is added for sweetness as well as moisture. But brown sugar causes the development of a deeper golden to brown color. Instead of brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk is used in this recipe to add moisture and sweetness without adding color.
Why chill the dough?
It is not absolutely necessary to chill the dough before baking. However, the cookies will bake differently. For this recipe, chill the dough for at least one hour, 2 preferably. It helps solidify the butter and slows down spreading during baking. Unchilled or dough chilled for a short period results in more spreading and thinner, crispier edges.
Why bake at 325° F?
Since the cookies brown quickly on the bottom and since I want them to remain light in color, baking at a lower temperature of 325° F works best. I find that the bottom turns too golden at 350° F.
So, if you’re looking for a mood booster, bake these. Sprinkles always make me smile. Sprinkles and M&Ms are a bonus! If you have kiddos in your life, wouldn’t they love some of these cookies for Valentine’s Day treats? And while you’re at it, treat their friends too!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I’ll see you back here next time!!
If you like these cookies, you might also like these Brownie Stuffed Swirled Marshmallow Pops!!
Recommended supplies:
These are products I use, or on my wishlist, or are highly rated. (Amazon affiliate links)
- Baking sheet—this tapered edge design allows the baked goods to effortlessly slide off.
- These mixing bowls have a nonslip bottom and pour spouts. I have a similar one from a different brand and love it.
- This #50 size cookie scoop to portion out the cookie dough.
- Wire whisk for mixing the batter.
- Sturdy silicone spatula for working the batter.
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Funfetti M&M Cookies
Description
These Funfetti M&M Cookies are pretty, festive, and perfect for Valentine’s Day. They are completely hand mixed and so easy to make!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine flour, salt, baking powder, and cardamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using a wire whisk, beat butter and sugar for 1 minute. Add sweetened condensed milk. Whisk until thick and until smooth. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Switch over to a spatula for easier mixing. Add the flour mixture, a third at time, allowing most of the flour to be blended before adding more. Stir in sprinkles and M&M’s. Chill for at least 1 hour, preferably 2.
- Preheat oven to 325° F.
- Use a cookie scoop (size #50, equivalent to 1.25 tablespoons), or roll a rounded tablespoon of dough into a ball and drop dough onto a prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the middle or upper rack for 9 minutes. Remove from oven. To create the nooks and crannies, place a small piece of parchment paper on top of a cookie, and using the rod end of a wooden spoon, poke 4-5 indentations onto the parchment and into the cookie. Lift off the parchment paper. Reuse it to create indentations for all of the other cookies.
- Return the cookies to the oven and bake for 2 to 4 minutes. For slightly underdone, remove at around the 2-minute mark. For crispier cookies, bake for a minute or two longer.
- Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Makes about 22 cookies.
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These cookies are too cute!! So colorful too and they would be great as birthday cookies, instead of baking a whole cake. Love that you added cardamon and can't wait to make them!
Hi Karrie! Happy New Year!! Thank you so much! Birthday cookies is a great idea and it's easier than a cake too! I added just enough cardamon to give it a hint of something in the background but not enough that you can pick it out. I'm so glad you like this 🙂
I've been seeing the Valentine's Day M&M's all over in cookies–so fun! But adding the jimmies too is over the top cute. And it would work for any holiday just by changing the colors! Love this!
Thank you Inger! I think the Valentine's treats are all fun and cute too! And you are absolutely right— you can customize these cookies to fit any occasion. I love it when you can do that to a recipe 🙂
I smiled as soon as I saw these cookies, Thao! So colorful and fun!! I also like my cookies slightly underbaked 🙂
I think the secret to a happy life is more cookies!???? Cheers to sligthly underbaked (but I won't say no to cooked through)! Have a great week Katherine!!