Easy Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies Recipe

When February rolls around, I always find myself craving something rich, chocolatey, and festive to mark the occasion. These Valentines Day M&M Cookies are my favorite way to bring a pop of color and sweetness to the middle of winter.

The base is incredibly soft and fudgy, reminding me more of a brownie than a standard cookie. I love how the bright pink and red candies stand out against the dark chocolate dough for a striking look.

Why You Will Adore These Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies

The texture here is an absolute dream for anyone who prefers their treats on the softer, chewier side. I designed this recipe to stay tender for days, making it perfect for gifting to friends or teachers.

You also get a satisfying crunch from the candy coating that contrasts beautifully with the rich, fudgy crumb. This Valentines Day MM Cookies recipe satisfies that deep chocolate craving without requiring any complicated equipment.

It is a straightforward bake that looks impressive but requires very little actual effort in the kitchen. I appreciate having a reliable holiday go-to that always turns out consistent results.

If you enjoyed this cocoa-rich treat, I highly recommend trying my Cozy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe for a classic twist, or the Zesty Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies Recipe if you want to sneak in some veggies.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies

Here is a quick look at the pantry staples required for these treats:

• Butter: Softened salted sweet cream butter provides the rich base.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the structure.
• Brown Sugar: Packed light brown sugar ensures a chewy, moist texture.
• Eggs: Large eggs bind everything together and add richness.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash enhances all the chocolate flavors.
• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure for the cookie dough.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This gives the deep chocolate color and flavor.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just the right amount.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the cocoa.
• Valentine’s M&Ms: The festive red, pink, and white candies are the star here.

My Method for Making Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda together in a medium bowl until fully combined.
3. Cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
5. Slowly add the dry ingredients about one cup at a time, pulsing the mixer to avoid a flour cloud.
6. Mix only until the flour is just incorporated, being careful not to overwork the dough.
7. Weigh out 1.8 oz portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls.
8. Press M&Ms randomly all over the outside of each dough ball to ensure they are visible after baking.
9. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet with space for spreading.
10. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are set but the centers look slightly soft.
11. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a container.

Secrets for the Best Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies

My biggest piece of advice is to press the candies onto the outside of the dough balls rather than mixing them inside. This ensures every Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies bake comes out looking vibrant and fully loaded with color.

Be very careful not to overmix the dough once you add the flour and cocoa powder. Overworking the gluten will turn these tender treats into tough, dry pucks.

I also recommend using a kitchen scale to measure your dough balls so they bake evenly. Uniform sizes mean you won’t end up with some burnt edges while others are still raw in the middle.

Allow the cookies to cool completely on the pan before you try to move them. They are very soft when hot and need that time to set up properly.

Serving Your Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies

I think these are absolutely perfect when served alongside a tall glass of cold milk to balance the rich chocolate. They also make a lovely afternoon pick-me-up with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

You can package them in clear bags with pink ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift. My family loves seeing these Valentines Day MM Cookies on the counter throughout February.