There is something so festive about Christmas M&M’s. Our family is obsessed with them as you may have heard. The cookies we make with them are stuffed to the brim with lots of additions that make the M&M bars even more impressive at the holidays.
This is another super kid friendly recipe; there is so much they can do to help. I’m a firm believer in a messy kitchen over disappointed little helpers. Kitchens are easy to clean, but you’ll never get the opportunity to make those memories again. And I’m also a firm believer in memories.
2 ¼ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened (or 1/2 cup Crisco and 1/2 cup butter)
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or M&M’s (this is equivalent to a 12 ounce bag)
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional, well not for us)
1 cup craisins, dusted with flour (also optional, but not for us)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in mixer bowl until creamy. This could easily take 5 to 8 minutes. You want the sugar to be totally dissolved. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chips, M&M’s, craisins and nuts if using (of course you are). Spread dough onto a greased 10 x 15 jelly roll pan. I spray the pan, line it with parchment or waxed paper, and then spray again before adding the dough
For bar cookies, bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
* from the Recipe Box:
This is the off-the-back-of-the-Nestle’s chocolate chip bag chocolate chip cookie recipe. I may use other brands of chocolate chips, but I will accept no substitutes for the recipe. I truly don’t care what brand of chips you use, this is the recipe that works. I’ve tried a lot. I’m usually lazy and I make the bar variation; it saves so much time.
All butter makes a crisper, flatter cookie if you are baking them individually and Crisco makes a softer, chewier cookie. Just remember you’ll get your best flavor from the butter. I really prefer the 50/50 blend in most cookies. You’ll have to decide on your favorite.
We love all of the extra stuff in our cookie, especially at Christmas. The colors really show up. You could get the same effect on the 4th of July with red, white and blue M&M’s. Get creative.
and remember: Never laugh at anyone’s dreams. People who don’t have dreams don’t have much. Big kiss, Lynn
From the Recipe Box 