Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups plus one tablespoon all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened but still cool
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, lightly packed, make sure it’s fresh and soft
- 1 large egg, cold, straight from the fridge
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup Easter/spring M&M’s , plus extra for topping, if desired
- ½ cup white chocolate chips or chunks, plus extra for topping, if desired
- ¼ cup pastel sprinkles
Instructions
- Prep your oven and pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a larger bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes). This step creates air pockets for soft, tender cookies.
- Add egg and vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to incorporate everything.
- Combine dry and wet: On low speed, gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stop as soon as no streaks of flour remain to avoid overmixing.
- Add the fun stuff: Gently stir in the M&M’s and white chocolate chips. Be careful not to crush the candies!
- Portion the dough: Scoop dough balls (1½ to 2½ tablespoons each). Dip the tops into the pastel sprinkles if desired, pressing gently so they stick. Chill the dough for 20 minutes if you want thicker cookies.
- Bake to perfection: Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space for spreading. Bake for 8-11 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underdone. This creates a soft, gooey texture.
- Shape and decorate: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use a spoon to gently nudge any irregular edges into a neat circle. While still warm, press extra M&M’s or white chocolate chips on top for a bakery-worthy look.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely (if you can wait that long).
Notes
How to serve and present
When serving these cookies, presentation is key. Arrange them on a platter with pastel paper liners or nestle them in Easter grass for a themed touch. For a more indulgent vibe, pair them with small bowls of whipped cream or a drizzle of melted white chocolate. These cookies also make fantastic edible gifts—just stack them in a clear treat bag, tie with a pastel ribbon, and add a handwritten tag.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert