Big Soft Batch Peanut Butter M&M Cookies Recipe

The Perfect Big Soft Batch Peanut Butter M&M Cookies Recipe

Big soft batch peanut butter M&M cookies represent the ultimate comfort dessert for passionate sweet enthusiasts.

These massive, pillowy treats deliver an irresistible combination of rich, creamy peanut butter and colorful chocolate candies.

Generous portions guarantee maximum satisfaction with each decadent bite.

soft-baked perfection means enjoying a tender center that melts effortlessly in your mouth.

Chocolate candies scattered throughout provide delightful bursts of unexpected sweetness and playful color.

Crafting these cookies requires minimal effort but promises maximum enjoyment for anyone craving an indulgent experience.

You’ll fall in love with their incredible texture and mouthwatering flavor profile.

Why These Cookies Hit the Sweet Spot Every Time

  • Savor Soft, Chewy Texture: These cookies deliver an incredible melt-in-your-mouth experience with a perfect balance of softness and slight resistance, creating a delightful bite that keeps you coming back for more.
  • Burst with Colorful Candy Surprise: Packed with vibrant M&M's throughout the cookie, each bite offers a playful pop of chocolate and color that makes these treats visually exciting and flavor-packed.
  • Master Easy Batch Baking: The recipe simplifies cookie-making with straightforward steps, allowing both novice and experienced bakers to whip up a delicious batch of cookies without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
  • Customize Your Comfort Treat: With the option to refrigerate dough for deeper flavors and the ability to press extra M&M's on top, these cookies give bakers a chance to personalize their sweet creation and elevate the classic peanut butter cookie.
Main Cookie Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich and creamy base that provides tender texture and delicious flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that create soft, chewy cookie consistency with caramel undertones.
  • Peanut Butter: Provides intense nutty flavor and helps bind cookie ingredients together.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Essential structural ingredient that gives cookies their classic shape and texture.
  • Eggs: Binding agent that helps hold cookie dough together and adds moisture.
Add-In Ingredients:
  • M&M Candies: Colorful chocolate pieces that add fun texture and sweet bursts of flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall cookie flavor with warm, rich aromatic notes.
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread with light, soft texture.
  • Cornstarch: Creates extra tenderness and helps prevent tough cookies.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

How to Get Chewy Centers and Crisp Edges Just Right

Step 1: Cream Sugars and Butter

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine sugars, butter, and peanut butter. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the following ingredients:
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt

Blend until everything is thoroughly combined.

Step 3: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Cornstarch

Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until incorporated.

Step 4: Fold in M&Ms

Gently fold 1 of M&Ms into the dough using a spatula or wooden spoon, ensuring even distribution.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 1 day for deeper flavor development.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. Let the chilled dough sit out briefly if it’s too firm.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Dough

Use a measuring cup to scoop dough. Roll into balls and place them 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies

Bake for approximately 12 minutes until the bottoms turn lightly golden brown. Immediately after removing from the oven, gently press extra M&Ms onto the top of each cookie.

Step 9: Cool the Cookies

Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 10: Store and Enjoy

Store cookies in a tightly covered container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 1 week.

Tips for a Bake That’s Soft, Sweet, and Melt-In-Your-Mouth

  • Cream with Care: Spend extra time creaming butter, sugars, and peanut butter to ensure maximum fluffiness and better cookie texture.
  • Chill for Success: Refrigerating dough develops deeper flavors and prevents cookies from spreading too thin during baking.
  • M&M Magic: Reserve some M&Ms to press on top of cookies immediately after baking for a beautiful, professional-looking finish.
  • Consistent Sizing: Use a measuring cup to create uniform cookie dough balls, ensuring even baking and professional appearance.
  • Storage Secrets: Keep cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness and prevent them from drying out.

Storing Cookies Without Losing That Bakery-Fresh Texture

  • Store Leftovers
  • Seal cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness up to 5-7 days. Place wax paper between cookie layers to prevent sticking and preserve their soft texture. Keep container away from direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain quality.
  • Refrigeration Method: Transfer cookies to a sealed container and refrigerate for extended shelf life up to 10 days. Allow cookies to reach room temperature before serving to restore original softness and flavor.
  • Freezing Technique: Freeze cookies individually wrapped in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe ziplock bags for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying their delicious taste and texture.

What to Serve With These Big, Buttery Beauties

  • Pair with Creamy Milk: Let the rich, smooth chocolate milk complement the soft peanut butter cookies, creating a nostalgic childhood treat that melts in your mouth.
  • Match with Cold Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve these warm cookies alongside a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream, where the cool creaminess balances the cookie's warmth and adds delightful texture contrast.
  • Enjoy with Hot Cocoa: Sip a mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows, letting the warm chocolate drink enhance the nutty peanut butter and sweet M&M flavors for a cozy comfort experience.
  • Combine with Light Red Wine: For adult gatherings, try a sweet rosé or light pinot noir that will subtly highlight the cookie's sweet and nutty profile without overpowering its delicate taste.

Additions and Mix-Ins to Make Each Batch Your Own

  • Chocolate Chunk Champion: Replace M&M's with dark chocolate chunks for a rich, intense chocolate experience that complements the creamy peanut butter base.
  • Nutty Caramel Classic: Swap half the M&M's with caramel bits and sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts on top for an extra layer of crunch and flavor complexity.
  • Salted Pretzel Paradise: Mix crushed pretzels into the dough and top cookies with sea salt flakes, creating a perfect balance between sweet and salty sensations.
  • Oatmeal Peanut Butter Fusion: Incorporate rolled oats into the flour mixture for added texture and a hearty, wholesome cookie that maintains the signature peanut butter goodness.
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Big Soft Batch Peanut Butter M&M Cookies Recipe

Big Soft Batch Peanut Butter M&M Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 34 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Indulgent peanut butter cookies packed with colorful M&M candies create sweet nostalgia in every delightful bite. Chewy, oversized cookies promise comfort and joy you’ll savor with pure childhood excitement.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 ml) creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup (227 g) softened butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 ½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (220 g) firm packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup (200 g) white sugar
  • 12.6 ounces (357 g) plain M&M’s, divided

Flavoring and Leavening Agents:

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Cream together granulated sugar, brown sugar, unsalted butter, and creamy peanut butter in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer at medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and airy.
  2. Incorporate large eggs, pure vanilla extract, and kosher salt into the creamed mixture, blending thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
  3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cornstarch until well integrated.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together without overmixing.
  5. Gently fold in 1 of M&M candies using a silicone spatula, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
  6. Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes (or up to 24 hours) to enhance flavor development and improve texture.
  7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare two baking sheets by lining them with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
  8. Remove chilled dough and let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes to soften slightly.
  9. Using a measuring scoop, portion out dough and roll into smooth balls, placing them approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  10. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown and the centers appear slightly soft.
  11. Immediately after removing from the oven, gently press additional M&M candies onto the top of each warm cookie for extra decoration.
  12. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
  13. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days, maintaining their soft and chewy texture.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough intensifies the rich, caramel-like flavor and helps prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Rolling cookies in uniform sizes ensures consistent baking and creates a professional, bakery-style appearance.
  • Extra M&Ms pressed on top after baking make the cookies visually stunning and add bursts of colorful chocolate.
  • Creaming butter and sugars thoroughly creates a light, tender texture that makes these cookies irresistibly soft.
  • Using parchment paper or silicone mats prevents sticking and promotes even browning on the cookie bottoms.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 14 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 272 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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