Description
These festive Chocolate Chip Cookies are a colorful twist on a classic favorite, featuring pastel-colored dough portions marbled together and loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and Easter-themed M&Ms. Perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you want a fun, delicious treat with a vibrant look.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Mix-ins
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Easter-themed M&Ms, plus extra for topping
Other
- Gel food coloring (pastel pink, purple, yellow, and blue)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside to keep dry ingredients ready for mixing.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, usually about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Mix in Vanilla: Add the vanilla extract and mix until completely combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Chocolates and M&Ms: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the Easter-themed M&Ms evenly into the dough.
- Divide and Color the Dough: Divide the dough into four equal portions. Using gel food coloring, tint each portion a different pastel color (pink, purple, yellow, and blue). Mix gently until the colors are evenly distributed.
- Create Marbled Dough Balls: Take small portions of each colored dough and press them lightly together without fully mixing to create a marbled effect. Roll each marbled portion into balls about 2 tablespoons in size.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Press a few extra M&Ms onto the top of each cookie for extra color and sweetness.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up for better shape retention.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chilled dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden while centers remain slightly soft.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely for best texture.
Notes
- Using gel food coloring prevents the dough from becoming too wet compared to liquid coloring.
- Chilling the dough helps maintain the cookie shape and enhances flavor.
- You can substitute Easter-themed M&Ms with regular M&Ms or other candy pieces.
- Do not overbake; cookies will firm up as they cool for perfect soft centers.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
