Grandma's Easy M and M Cookie Recipe is a simple American homemade cookie recipe from scratch with M&M's, peanuts, pretzels, chips and more!

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Cookies from Scratch

I first tasted these easy, homemade cookies at my friends house. As soon as I tried them I just knew I had to make them for myself.

The ingredients were different than I was used to but the combination is absolutely delicious.

These tasty treats were originally created from scratch by her grandma. She always made her homemade cookies with all kinds of extra "stuff" in them.

Grandma cookies are always the best don't you think?

The more the better she always said apparently and in most cases I agree with her grandmother and believe that's true!

No matter what, this recipe for her Grandma's cookies is definitely hard to compete with!

M and M Cookies

Chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, malt balls, M&M's, peanuts, potato chips and pretzels. All in the same cookie?

You have to try them to believe how great they are. Really.

This is the greatest American cookie. I mean, how could it not be with all of those goodies baked into this soft and chewy cookie?

I really wish I came up with this simple cookie recipe myself. These cookies are that good! Both my husband and son enjoy every bite.

As a matter of fact, everyone loves this simple cookie recipe that tries it. I suspect that you will too.

Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies

Of course this homemade cookie has to include chocolate chips too. I have included whatever kinds of chips I have in my pantry.

Sometimes chocolate chips but butterscotch, caramel and peanut butter will also do in a delicious pinch, if necessary.

As a matter of fact, I do my best to include different kinds of chocolate and other chips with this simple M and M cookie recipe and no one ever complains.

I mean why would they?

These cookies are totally made from scratch and contain all of your favorite treats, including M & M's. I have used Smarties when absolutely necessary and the cookies disappeared just the same.

I LOVE the color the candies bring to the cookies and how they look on a sweet tray. Just incredible.

So there you have it. These M & M cookies not only taste fabulous but they look incredible too!

M and M Cookie Recipe

I think that is what everyone wants in a cookie but my husband disagrees. My husband believes that most don't care what the cookie looks like and it's all about the taste.

We agree to disagree and I'm curious to hear what you think.

Making cookies from scratch could not be any easier than this M and M cookie recipe no matter which treats you choose to use and you have a choice.

The original recipe calls for chocolate chips, potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, malt balls and M&M's. Yep. All of that.

Feel free to swap out a different kind of chip, maybe caramel, peanut butter or butterscotch?

Instead of M & M's, try Smarties.

Instead of peanuts add coconut, walnuts or pecans.

You see how long this list can get? So many options. So little time.

Cookie Ingredients

To make an incredible, cookie base or basic cookie you will need the following cookie ingredients.

flour
baking soda
butter, NOT salted butter
brown sugar
granulated sugar
salt
egg
vanilla extract

Next, you'll need to choose your add-ins because you can't just have a plain old cookie. Can you?

butterscotch chips
chocolate chips
caramel chips
toffee bits
M & M's
plain potato chips
peanuts
malted milk balls
pretzels

What does Baking Soda do in Cookies?

Baking soda Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate and provides the cookies with a chewy, coarse texture. Without baking soda your M and M cookie recipe can turn out somewhat hard and flat.

It is possible to make cookies without baking soda but your finished product will usually be dense.

The reason this happens is because carbon dioxide is not being produced while your cookie bakes. This chemical reaction is almost required to achieve perfect cookie texture.

When baking soda combines with moisture and an acidic ingredient a chemical reaction occurs that produces small bubbles of carbon dioxide that expand with heat causing baked goods to expand or rise.

For the record, baking soda is much stronger than baking powder. Basically, 1 teaspoon of baking powder will raise one cup of flour, and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda will do the exact same thing.

How to make Cookies from Scratch

First, your dry ingredients. Combine flour and baking soda together in a small bowl, set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer preferably beat the butter on medium speed for a minute or so.

Add the sugars and salt and beat on medium for 5 minutes, scraping the bowl down occasionally. Add the egg and vanilla.

Continue to blend.

Add the flour mixture and beat on low, remembering to scrape down the bowl, until just combined – do not over mix.

Add the chocolate chips, potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, malt balls and M&M's. Stir until just blended.

Shape the dough into approximately 2 inch round balls and place on a cookie sheet or large plate.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours if not overnight.

How to Bake Cookies

Baking cookies could not be easier. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or put cooking spray on a foil lined baking sheet.

Arrange the chilled dough balls about two inches apart on the lined cookie sheets. These cookies do not spread much at all.

Flatten each dough ball slightly with your finger or a fork.

Bake time is approximately 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are light golden brown.

Let them cool completely on a rack if possible.

Do not over cook – these cookies are better underdone than over.

How long do Cookies last?

Most homemade cookies are at their best for the first 3 days. After that I find their taste and texture become compromised somewhat.

If you leave them out in the open air for too long your cookies will begin to harden and dry right out.

In order to your prevent cookies from becoming stale they must be stored in an airtight container. Your other alternative is to keep them covered with plastic wrap.

Unfortunately, air is your enemy when it comes to storing cookies and making them stay at their best for as long as possible.

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