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    Home » Dessert » Cookies » Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies

    Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies

    Published: Dec 13, 2018 · Modified: Apr 18, 2023 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE ↓ JUMP TO VIDEO

    Chewy Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies are my husband’s favorite Christmas cookies! These oatmeal cookies with red and green M&Ms are a holiday tradition.

    Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies

    Every year I ask my husband and kids what goodies they want me to make for the holidays. I want to make sure I make at least one of their favorites. Brian always asks for Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies so I thought I’d share the recipe with all of you!

    Disclaimer: This post contains links to products for making this recipe. If you use those links, I may earn a commission. Learn more here.

    Where is the Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies Recipe? In this post, I will share step-by-step instructions with photos for how to make the cookies, as well as answering FAQs about making oatmeal cookies, giving suggestions for more cookie recipes and showing a video of the recipe. But you can go directly to the recipe by scrolling down to the bottom of the post.

    Christmas oatmeal M & M cookies stack

    How To Make Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies

    butter and shortening for Christmas oatmeal M n M cookies

    Step One: Butter and Shortening

    For this oatmeal cookie recipe, I used a combination of butter and shortening.  The shortening helps the cookies rise higher and have a lighter texture.

    The butter adds flavor. Cookies made with all butter spread more and end up flatter.

    sugar for Christmas oatmeal M&M Cookies

    Step Two: Cream Sugars

    Once the butter and shortening have been combined, cream in the granulated sugar and brown sugar. As you beat the mixture, the batter will become lighter in color and fluffier in texture.

    Creaming the butter and sugar adds air to the mixture making the cookies lighter in texture.

    eggs and vanilla in Christmas M n M oatmeal cookies dough

    Step Three: Egg and Vanilla

    Next, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract. The eggs add additional leavening as well as moisture, flavor, and structure.

    The vanilla is for flavor so use pure vanilla extract. It is more expensive than the imitation vanilla but you only need a little bit and it is definitely worth it.

    Beating the egg into the creamed butter and sugar will add more air to the cookie dough.

    flour added to Christmas oatmeal M n M cookies

    Step Four: Dry Ingredients

    Many cookie recipes say to combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. The first thing I ever learned how to bake as a child was Betty Crocker’s Chocolate Chip Cookies and I never had to combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Guess what? The cookies always turned out.

    So, I add the flour to the dough and put the baking soda and salt right on top. Then, I mix it well, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure that it is all combined.

    If you prefer you can whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl before adding it to the cookie dough.

    add oats and M&Ms to Christmas oatmeal cookies

    Step Five: Oatmeal and M&Ms

    When making Chrismas Oatmeal M & M Cookies, you can use either the old-fashioned (aka rolled) oats or the quick cooking oats. The old-fashioned oats make for chewier cookies with more texture.

    Quick cooking oats are coarsely chopped old-fashioned oats. They will be more hidden in the cookies and make for a more uniform texture.

    Red and green Christmas M&Ms are fun for the holidays but any color will work.

    scoop of Christmas oatmeal M & M cookie dough

    Step Six: Dough Balls

    When forming the cookie dough balls, I always use a cookie dough scoop. For this recipe, I used a medium dough scoop which holds two tablespoons.

    Using a dough scoop gives you evenly sized cookies which makes them bake evenly and they fit into storage containers better when they are the same size.

    baked Christmas oatmeal M n M cookies on baking sheet

    Step Seven: Bake

    One of my favorite cooking baking tips is to cover your baking sheets with parchment paper. The parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking to the pan and therefore you have less scrubbing to do when you are done baking.

    Once the Christmas oatmeal M & M Cookies are finished cooking you can slide the whole piece of parchment paper, with the cookies on top, onto the counter to cool.

    Another thing I’ve learned about baking cookies is to cool the baking sheets before making the next batch. Starting with a cool pan allows the cookies to rise and bake as they were meant to.

    Christmas oatmeal M n M cookies dough on baking sheet

    How To Freeze Cookie Dough

    My favorite cookie hack is freezing some of the cookie dough to bake later. Sure you can bake the cookies and freeze them but freshly baked cookies, even from the frozen dough, are so much better.

    Make the cookie dough balls and place them in the freezer to harden. Then, put them in an airtight container or plastic ziptop bag and store them in the freezer.

    When ready to make, put the frozen cookie dough balls directly on a parchment-covered baking sheet (no need to thaw them first). Bake at 350˚F for 8-11 minutes.

    stack of Christmas oatmeal M&M Cookies

    Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies FAQs

    1. What oatmeal is best for cookies? You can use either old-fashioned (rolled) oats or quick-cooking oats. We prefer the old-fashioned oats for a chewier texture.

    2. I’m wondering how to make oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips. You can use two cups of chocolate chips instead of two cups of M&M’s. Or use one cup of each.

    3. Are oatmeal cookies healthy? No, they are not. They are a dessert.

    4. Wondering how to make oatmeal cookies chewy? Follow this recipe and use old-fashioned oats.

    Christmas oatmeal M & M Cookies from above

    Looking For More Cookies Recipes? We’ve Got You Covered!

    Chewy Chocolate Cookies with triple the chocolate have chocolate cookie dough studded with chocolate chips and are drizzled with even more chocolate!

    These pretty pink Peppermint Cookies with a candy cane crunch are topped with smooth peppermint buttercream frosting and sprinkled with crushed candy canes!

    Try Soft Rain Cookies from Taste of Home for an old-fashioned cookie for the holidays.

    Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups made with sugar cookie dough are filled with hot chocolate ganache, have a pretzel handle and mini marshmallows on top!

    Kitchen hack for holiday baking: make Four Christmas Cookies From One Basic Dough with this recipe. Prepare the dough ahead of time, freeze and bake later!

    Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies

    Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies

    Chewy Christmas Oatmeal M & M Cookies are my husband's favorite Christmas cookies! These oatmeal cookies with red and green M&Ms are a holiday tradition.
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    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 9 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 24 minutes minutes
    Servings: 40
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    Equipment

    Red and Green M&M's
    Medium Cookie Scoop
    Cuisinart Hand Mixer

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup butter softened
    • 1/2 cup shortening
    • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups old-fashioned oats (or use quick cooking oats)
    • 2 cups Christmas M&Ms

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350˚F
    • Mix together the butter and shortening
    • Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat for 2-3 minutes.
    • Beat in the eggs and vanilla for 1-2 minutes, until light in color and fluffy in texture.
    • Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
    • Stir in the oats and M&M's.
    • Use a 2 tablespoon dough scoop to scoop dough. Place on parchment-covered baking sheets.
    • Bake at 350˚F for 8-11 minutes.

    Video

    Notes

    See blog post for additional tips and answers to FAQs.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1grams | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

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    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 12+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

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    Comments

    1. Erica Schwartz says

      December 15, 2018 at 9:42 am

      These look kid friendly and delicious! I’m gonna give them a try!

      Reply

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    Tonia Larson and Brian LarsonHi, We are Brian and Tonia Larson! We hope you enjoy our family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and tasty desserts!
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