If you’re ready to bring a burst of joyful color and irresistible sweetness to your kitchen, the Pastel Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies with M&Ms Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies aren’t just your everyday treats—they’re a cheerful celebration on your plate, combining the classic comfort of chocolate chip cookies with bright, pastel hues and the fun crunch of Easter-themed M&Ms. Perfect for spreading happiness at any spring gathering or just indulging your sweet tooth, this recipe makes cookie baking feel like a festive event filled with warmth and delight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients come together in this recipe to create a magical blend of flavor, texture, and color. Each component plays a key role, from giving the cookies their tender crumb to adding that perfect sweet crunch.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for your cookies, providing structure and a tender bite.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise beautifully and become delightfully fluffy.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens while contributing to a crisp edge.
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar: Brings warmth and chewiness to each bite.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and add moisture to your dough.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses the cookies with that comforting, classic flavor.
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: The heart of every chocolate chip cookie, delivering melty chocolate pockets.
- 1 cup Easter-themed M&Ms, plus extra for topping: For pops of pastel color and fun candy crunch.
- Gel food coloring (pastel pink, purple, yellow, and blue): These gentle hues make your cookies look as joyful as Easter morning.
How to Make Pastel Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This dry mix will ensure your cookies have the perfect texture and rise when baked, so set it aside for the next step.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This whipping process is crucial because it introduces air, ensuring your cookies come out tender and perfectly textured.
Step 3: Add the Eggs
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This gives the dough moisture and structure while helping the ingredients blend seamlessly.
Step 4: Mix in Vanilla Extract
Stir in vanilla extract to infuse your dough with that unmistakable warm and inviting aroma—it’s the secret touch that elevates every cookie.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be gentle here to avoid overmixing, which could make the cookies tough instead of tender.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips and M&Ms
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and Easter-themed M&Ms, adding both gooey chocolate goodness and that joyful burst of color and crunch.
Step 7: Divide and Color the Dough
Split the dough into four equal portions. Using gel food coloring, tint each portion with a different pastel shade—pink, purple, yellow, and blue. Mix each gently until the color is just right, creating vibrant, festive doughs.
Step 8: Create Marbled Dough Balls
Take small bits from each colored dough and press them together lightly without fully mixing. This makes a beautiful marbled effect that’s both eye-catching and wonderfully Easter-appropriate.
Step 9: Shape and Chill the Cookies
Roll each marbled piece into 2-tablespoon balls, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart, then press a few additional M&Ms on top for extra color and sweetness. Chill the dough balls in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so they hold their shape during baking.
Step 10: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for about 12 minutes, until golden around the edges but still soft in the center. As soon as they come out of the oven, you’ll know you’ve crafted something special.
How to Serve Pastel Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
Once baked, these cookies shine on their own, but adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can take them from festive to downright elegant. Fresh edible flowers also complement the pastel hues beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve these delicious pastel cookies alongside a cool glass of milk, a cup of hot cocoa, or even a light springtime tea like jasmine or chamomile. These pairings enhance the sweet richness without overpowering the cookie’s fun flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack these cookies on a colorful platter surrounded by fresh spring flowers or arrange them inside decorated Easter baskets. You could also thread smaller cookies on a pastel ribbon for a unique cookie garland that doubles as party décor!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Pastel Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies with M&Ms Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for up to 4 days, perfect for enjoying as a treat throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container once solid. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
Warm the cookies slightly in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven for 5 minutes. This brings back their fresh-baked softness and makes the chocolate and M&Ms taste even more heavenly.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
Gel food coloring works best for this recipe because it gives vibrant colors without changing the dough’s texture. Regular liquid food coloring can make the dough too wet, so it’s best to stick with gels for those lovely pastels.
What if I don’t have Easter-themed M&Ms?
No worries! You can use regular M&Ms or even swap in mini chocolate chips or pastel-colored candy-coated chocolates to keep the festive look and fun texture.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, and make sure your other ingredients are gluten-free. The texture might differ slightly but won’t sacrifice flavor.
How long do I need to chill the dough?
A minimum of 30 minutes is recommended to help the dough firm up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps maintain the marbled effect.
Can I double the recipe for a bigger batch?
Absolutely! This recipe scales beautifully, just be sure to chill your dough balls in batches if needed and adjust your baking sheets accordingly for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly joyful about baking and sharing the Pastel Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies with M&Ms Recipe. These cookies bring vibrant color, nostalgic flavors, and a fun festive twist that can brighten any spring day or celebration. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and watch the smiles light up as everyone bites into these little pieces of pastel perfection!
Print
Pastel Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Chocolate Chip Cookies feature a colorful twist with pastel-colored dough and Easter-themed M&Ms, creating a marbled effect that is perfect for spring celebrations. Soft, chewy, and packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips, these cookies are a delightful treat that combines classic flavors with vibrant colors for a fun baking experience.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins and Colorings
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Easter-themed M&Ms, plus extra for topping
- Gel food coloring (pastel pink, purple, yellow, and blue)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3–4 minutes on medium speed.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition to ensure even distribution.
- Mix in Vanilla: Add the vanilla extract and mix until it is fully blended with the wet ingredients.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients on low speed. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make the cookies tough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and M&Ms: Gently fold in 1 ½ cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of Easter-themed M&Ms evenly throughout the dough.
- Divide Dough: Separate the dough into four equal portions to prepare for coloring.
- Color the Dough: Use gel food coloring to tint each portion a different pastel shade — pink, purple, yellow, and blue. Mix each portion gently until the color is thoroughly distributed.
- Create Marbled Effect: Take small amounts from each colored dough and lightly press them together without overmixing to form a marbled, multi-colored dough.
- Shape Cookies: Roll each marbled dough portion into balls about 2 tablespoons in size, ensuring an even distribution of color and mix-ins.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the cookie dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Add Toppings: Gently press a few extra Easter-themed M&Ms onto the top of each cookie ball for an extra pop of color and sweetness.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough balls for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the cookies retain their shape and enhances texture.
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to get ready for baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers have set but remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking apart and enhances texture.
Notes
- Using gel food coloring prevents the dough from becoming too wet, which can happen with liquid food coloring.
- Chilling the dough is essential to minimize spreading and maintain the marbled look of the cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for optimal freshness.
- For extra softness, slightly underbake the cookies and allow them to finish setting on the cooling rack.
- Feel free to customize the mix-ins with your favorite candies or nuts.
