Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies are a fun and festive treat that mix crunchy Oreos and colorful M&M’s into soft, chewy cookies. These cookies bring together the best of chocolate, a little crunch, and sweet bites of candy in every mouthful. They’re perfect for anyone who loves a bit of color and crunch in their cookies, especially around Valentine’s Day when you want something a little special and a lot tasty.
I love making these cookies because they’re so easy and always bring smiles. Mixing in the Oreos gives the cookies a great texture, and the M&M’s add just the right pop of chocolate and color. I usually get a big bowl and let the colors pop as I stir everything together, which makes baking feel even more fun. Plus, the mix of Oreo and M&M’s means there’s something for everyone—whether you love cookie bits or candy bits best.
When I serve these cookies, I like to arrange them in a heart shape on a platter or put them in little paper bags tied with a red ribbon. They’re great for sharing with friends, giving as a sweet gift, or just enjoying with a glass of milk. These cookies always make Valentine’s Day feel a bit brighter and more delicious!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness. Softened butter helps cream well with the sugars, giving a nice texture to the cookies.
Sugars: The mix of granulated and brown sugar adds sweetness plus moisture. Brown sugar keeps the cookies chewy. You can swap brown sugar for coconut sugar if you want a deeper flavor.
Oreo Cookies: Crushing the Oreos gives crunch and chocolate bits in every bite. Regular or Golden Oreos both work, depending on your flavor preference.
Valentine’s M&M’s & Sprinkles: These add color and little pops of chocolate. If you can’t find red or pink M&M’s, plain chocolate ones work too. Heart-shaped sprinkles are optional but make the cookies festive.
How Do You Keep the M&M’s from Melting and Losing Their Color?
M&Ms can melt and lose their vibrant colors if baked too hot or too long. Here’s how to keep them looking perfect:
- Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for just 10-12 minutes. This is hot enough to cook the cookies but gentle on the candy shell.
- Add half of the M&M’s inside the dough and then press the rest on top right before baking. This keeps the ones on top visible and colorful.
- Don’t overmix the dough once you add the M&M’s to avoid breaking the candy shell.
- Cool the cookies on the sheet a few minutes before moving them so they set up without cracking the candy.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl – perfect for combining all your cookie ingredients without mess.
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer – makes creaming butter and sugars easy and smooth.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient amounts to get the best cookie texture.
- Baking sheets – you’ll need a flat surface to bake your cookies evenly.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats – prevent cookies from sticking and help with easy cleanup.
- Spoon or cookie scoop – helps you portion cookie dough evenly so each cookie bakes just right.
- Wire cooling rack – lets your cookies cool evenly after baking, keeping them from getting soggy.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Try white chocolate chips instead of M&M’s for a creamy, sweet twist that melts smoothly.
- Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture contrast that pairs well with Oreos.
- Swap crushed Oreos for crushed chocolate chip cookies or peanut butter cookies for a new flavor.
- Mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the dough for a cozy, warm flavor perfect for chilly days.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies (roughly chopped)
- 1 cup Valentine’s Day-themed M&M’s (red, pink, white)
- ¼ cup Valentine-themed sprinkles (heart shapes, red, white, pink jimmies or pearls)
How Much Time Will You Need?
You’ll need about 15 minutes to prepare the dough, plus 10-12 minutes to bake the cookies. Don’t forget to add about 5 minutes to let the cookies cool before enjoying. Overall, it’s a quick treat perfect for a cozy baking session.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to keep cookies from sticking and for easy cleanup.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy – about 3 to 4 minutes. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients and Add to Wet Mixture:
Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add this dry mix to your wet ingredients, stirring just until combined without overmixing.
4. Add the Cookies and Candy:
Gently fold in the crushed Oreo cookies and half of the Valentine’s Day M&M’s and sprinkles, saving the rest to press on top later.
5. Shape and Add Toppings:
Use a spoon or cookie scoop to place about 2 tablespoons of dough onto each spot on your baking sheet. Leave around 2 inches between cookies for spreading. Press extra M&M’s, Oreo pieces, and sprinkles on top to make the cookies festive and colorful.
6. Bake and Cool:
Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges start to turn golden but centers remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Enjoy Your Cookies!
Serve these colorful, chewy cookies with a glass of milk or pack them into little bags as Valentine’s Day gifts for friends and family. They’re sure to bring smiles all around!
Can I Use Frozen Butter for These Cookies?
It’s best to use softened butter for this recipe, as it creams better with the sugars and helps create a tender cookie. If your butter is frozen, let it thaw at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before starting.
Can I Substitute the Oreos with Another Cookie?
Absolutely! You can swap Oreos for crushed chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, or any other favorite cookie to change up the flavor and texture while keeping the fun mix-in vibe.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it tightly covered. When ready, scoop and bake as directed—just add a minute or two to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
