Name: Holiday M&M’s Sandwich Cookies with Festive Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed; 2 eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups Holiday M&M’s; ½ cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate); ½ cup Holiday sprinkles; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted; Pinch salt; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons whole milk; Green gel food coloring; Red gel food coloring

Print Recipe·4 from 7 reviews

Get ready to bring joy and color to your holiday table with this irresistible Holiday M&M’s Sandwich Cookies with Festive Frosting Recipe! These cookies are the perfect sweet treat, combining a tender, buttery cookie bursting with vibrant Holiday M&M’s, mini chocolate chips, and sprinkles, all sandwiched together with a colorful, creamy frosting that truly captures the spirit of the season. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or sharing with loved ones, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A shiny silver mixing bowl sits on a white marbled surface, filled with thick beige cookie dough. On top of the dough, there are three distinct piles: shiny green and red candy-coated chocolates, small dark brown chocolate chips, and more beige dough visible around the edges. Above the bowl, a small clear glass bowl holds red, green, and white round sprinkles. The scene is bright and clear, showing the colorful candies ready to be mixed into the dough. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This recipe relies on simple yet essential ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating the perfect blend of flavor, texture, and festive color. From the rich butter to the bright Holiday M&M’s, every item adds a little magic to these sandwich cookies.

All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): The backbone of your cookies, providing structure and the perfect soft chew.
Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): Adds tenderness to the cookie, keeping them soft and slightly cakey.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough for a light crumb.
Fine sea salt (¾ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors for a balanced taste.
Unsalted butter (1 cup softened, plus 1 cup for frosting): Delivers a rich, creamy flavor and tender crumb.
Granulated sugar (¾ cups): Adds sweetness and helps with the perfect cookie texture.
Light brown sugar (¾ cups packed): Brings moisture and a mild caramel note to the dough.
Eggs (2): Bind the dough and contribute to a tender bite.
Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Adds warmth and depth to both the cookie and frosting.
Holiday M&M’s (1 ½ cups): Packed with festive colors and chocolatey goodness—this is the star of the show!
Mini chocolate chips (½ cup): Enhance the chocolate flavor and add delightful texture.
Holiday sprinkles (½ cup): Bring extra sparkle and holiday cheer right into every bite.
Powdered sugar (5 cups sifted): Essential for a smooth, fluffy frosting that holds its shape beautifully.
Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness in the frosting.
Whole milk (2 tablespoons): Adjusts frosting consistency for perfect spreading and piping.
Green gel food coloring: Adds a bright festive hue to the frosting.
Red gel food coloring: Creates a vibrant holiday color to complement the green and white frosting.

How to Make Holiday M&M’s Sandwich Cookies with Festive Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350° F, and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Setting this mix aside gives you a smooth workflow for combining your wet and dry ingredients later.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream your softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color—this takes about 3 minutes. This step is crucial because it traps air and ensures your cookies turn out tender with the perfect crumb.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This creates a smooth, homogenous batter that will bind all your flavorful ingredients together.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold in Mix-Ins

Slowly add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Gently fold in the Holiday M&M’s, mini chocolate chips, and sprinkles. It’s important not to overmix here—just enough to distribute the colorful candies evenly for that festive look and taste.

Step 5: Shape and Bake Your Cookies

Grab about 2 tablespoons of dough each time and roll into a ball, shaping them slightly taller than wide to prevent too much spreading while baking. Arrange on your prepared trays and bake for 11-12 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the tops are dry. For an extra pop, press more M&M’s, chips, and sprinkles onto the warm cookies right after baking. Let cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 6: Whip Up the Festive Frosting

While the cookies cool, make the frosting by creaming butter until smooth in your stand mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then, stir in a pinch of salt, vanilla extract, and milk. Crank the mixer up to medium-high speed for 3 minutes to get that irresistible fluffy texture. Divide this frosting into three bowls for color magic: leave one plain, add red gel to the second, and green gel to the third. Mix each till the colors pop!

Step 7: Assemble Your Holiday M&M’s Sandwich Cookies with Festive Frosting Recipe

Fill piping bags or sturdy plastic bags with each colored frosting, snip the tips, and pipe a generous dollop of red, green, and white frosting onto half your cooled cookies. Gently press the remaining cookies on top to create festive sandwich cookies ready to be enjoyed or gifted straight from your kitchen.

How to Serve Holiday M&M’s Sandwich Cookies with Festive Frosting Recipe

The image shows two stacked cookie sandwiches on a white marbled surface with festive decorations scattered around, like red, green, and white candy pieces. Each cookie sandwich has three layers: the top cookie is light brown with red and green candy bits, the middle filling is thick and colorful with the top sandwich having red and green layers and the bottom sandwich having white and red layers. The cookies themselves are golden brown with candy bits inside, giving a festive feel. In the background, there is a blurry green Christmas tree with lights creating warm glowing orbs of yellow and red. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of extra Holiday M&M’s or sprinkles on the frosting not only looks festive but adds a delightful crunch. You can even toss on some edible glitter for a bit of sparkle that’s perfect for holiday parties or cookie exchanges.

Side Dishes

These sandwich cookies pair wonderfully with classic holiday beverages like hot cocoa, spiced chai, or even a cold glass of milk. Serving them alongside fresh fruit or lightly salted nuts can balance the sweetness in a playful way.

Creative Ways to Present

Display your cookies stacked on a festive platter lined with holiday napkins or layer them in clear treat bags tied with red and green ribbons for a lovely gift. You could also create a cookie platter featuring themed tiers of your holiday desserts to wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keeping them closely covered helps retain moisture in the cookies and keeps your frosting soft and fresh—perfect for when you want to sneak a treat later!

Freezing

You can freeze these sandwich cookies for up to 2 months. Wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature before serving to enjoy that same freshly baked taste and texture.

Reheating

Reheat frozen or room temperature cookies briefly in a low oven (around 300° F for 5 minutes). This brings back a soft warmth that enhances the melty M&M’s and chocolate chips without melting the frosting completely.

FAQs

Can I use regular M&M’s instead of Holiday M&M’s?

Absolutely! Regular M&M’s work well too and will still add that delicious chocolate crunch. The holiday version just adds an extra splash of festive color that’s perfect for the season.

What if I don’t have gel food coloring?

You can use liquid food coloring, but gel coloring is recommended because it provides stronger color without thinning your frosting. If using liquid, add it sparingly to keep the right frosting consistency.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend that includes xanthan gum. Just watch the texture closely as gluten-free dough tends to be a bit different in consistency.

Is there a way to make the frosting dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the unsalted butter with a plant-based butter alternative and replace the milk with any non-dairy milk of your choice. The frosting might have a slightly different texture but will still taste fantastic.

What’s the best way to avoid cookies spreading too much during baking?

Rolling the dough into balls that are slightly taller than they are wide, as suggested, really helps keep the cookies from flattening too much. Also, chilling the dough briefly before baking can control spread if your kitchen is warm.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday M&M’s Sandwich Cookies with Festive Frosting Recipe is a joyful way to celebrate the season with color, flavor, and plenty of sweetness. From mixing your batter to piping those beautiful frosting colors, each step is a chance to add a little extra cheer to your holiday baking. I can’t wait for you to try it and see just how much fun and deliciousness you can create with such a simple recipe. Happy baking and happiest holidays!