Last Updated on December 14, 2021 by Kathryn Donangelo
Leave some cookies and milk out for Santa this year with these chewy and soft Santa Cookies–they will become his favorites! Perfectly sweetened and baked with two different types of chocolate chips, Christmas M&Ms, brown sugar, and butter. These festive cookies are such classic treats that are perfect for leaving on a plate on Christmas Eve.
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SOFT SANTA CLAUS COOKIES
What do you think Santa’s favorite cookies are? Santa Claus will gobble these soft and buttery cookies up with a glass of chilled milk in minutes! This fun Santa Cookies recipe is fun to bake with the kids during the holidays whenever the household is anticipating St. Nicholas and his reindeer!
Rich in chocolate with red and green M&Ms that are garnished with Christmas sprinkles, these cookies for Santa are simply delicious! Enjoy the holiday tradition of leaving freshly baked cookies in a cookie jar or out on a plate with milk to thank Santa for all of his hard work and gifts!
These cookies are the right combination of soft and chewy–the butter and two different types of sugar in this recipe allow these cookies to be the softest and easiest cookies to bite into.
The whole family will adore leaving these cookies out next to the Christmas tree! While you’re at it, complete holiday baking with this spiced and sweetened Gingerbread Men Cookies recipe–they’re just as chewy and pillowy-soft as these M&M cookies.
DRY INGREDIENTS
Sugar: Both brown and white granulated sugars are used for these M&M cookies to make them super soft. The secret is using two different types of sugars to make sure you have a gooey cookie center.
Flour: All-purpose flour is easy to use and allows these cookies to be fluffy and complete. You can of course make these cookies gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour with xanthan gum.
Baking Soda: A leavening agent in these cookies which helps them rise and form into the most perfect cookies! Cookies are not complete without baking soda!
Baking Powder: Both baking powder and soda allow these cookies to have a perfect crumb that is the right amount of chewy but firm. Be sure to measure these ingredients well or the cookies may turn out flat!
Salt: Just a little bit of sea salt is used to round these cookies out with the right amount of flavors.
M&Ms: Use Christmas M&Ms to keep these festive for Santa! Red, green, and white M&Ms are classic winter holiday colors. I also have this M&M cookie recipe that is just as good!
Chocolate Chips: I use a combination of milk and white chocolate chips to keep things rich in chocolate flavors. Santa will LOVE both types of chocolate in these cookies! Feel free to use only one type of chocolate. You can even use dark chocolate chips if you think Santa likes dark chocolate!
Sprinkles: Christmas sprinkles are so much fun! Get creative with these cookies and use your favorite types of sprinkles! There are so many options like Christmas tree sprinkles, stars, jimmies, colored sugar, and more!
WET INGREDIENTS
Butter: Unsalted softened butter allows these cookies to be extra moist and buttery. Make sure to leave the butter out at room temperature so it can easily be creamed with the sugars!
Egg: One whole egg and egg yolk are used in this recipe to create rich flavors that make these cookies stand out from the rest. Using egg yolks in cookies make the cookies have a cake-like texture that is so yummy.
Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract allows these cookies to have bright flavors that are perfect with butter and sugars. I recommend using real vanilla!
HOW TO MAKE SANTA COOKIES
STEP ONE: First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or grease them with butter or oil. Set them aside until ready to use.
STEP TWO: With a stand or electric hand mixer, cream together the butter and both sugars until fully combined and fluffy. Next, add the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until just combined. Be careful to not overmix the cookie dough.
STEP THREE: Add the measured flour, baking soda and powder, and salt. Continue to mix the dough until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated. You may have to scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
STEP FOUR: Finally, add the M&Ms, chocolate chips, and sprinkles. Mix the dough until just incorporated.
STEP FIVE: With a mini ice cream scoop or two tablespoons, scoop the cookie dough into round balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheets. If you would like an even better presentation, top the cookie dough with more chocolate chips, sprinkles, and M&Ms!
STEP SIX: Bake the cookies for nine to ten minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the cookie sheets for about ten minutes or so before transferring to a wire rack.
Enjoy! 🙂 Serve these cookies on a plate for Santa with a glass of chilled dairy or dairy-free milk. Santa may even like these cookies with Warm Chai Tea to keep him going through the night with his sleigh and reindeer.
VARIATIONS
- Switch out the different M&Ms for different holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Fourth of July, Valentine’s Day, and more!
- Serve these cookies as ice cream sandwiches stuffed with vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream, and even more delicious flavors of ice cream or even homemade frosting.
- Turn these into mini M&M cookies by scooping out a smaller portion of the cookie dough.
- Add some buttercream frosting to the tops of the baked cookies and top them with even more sprinkles and M&Ms!
- Make cookie bars by spreading the cookie dough into the bottom of a greased 13×9-inch baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 10-13 minutes.
- Feel free to use mini M&Ms.
TIPS
- Be sure to not overmix the dough or the cookies could come out flat!
- Remove the cookies from the oven after nine or ten minutes to keep them soft and chewy. The cookies will harden as they cool.
- Use vegan butter, flax eggs, and dairy-free chocolate to make vegan cookies for Santa.
- Instead of chocolate chips, add dried cranberries, raisins, nuts, etc.
HOW TO STORE COOKIES FOR SANTA
Store the leftover Santa cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about four to five days. You can also transfer the cookies to the refrigerator and store them for up to a week.
Freeze these cookies by placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container and placing them in the freezer for four months. Thaw the cookies by allowing them to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.
You can also freeze the cookie dough! Just store it in an airtight freezer-safe container in the freezer until ready to use!
MORE HOLIDAY TREATS TO TRY
- Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
- White Chocolate Macadamian Nut Cookies
- 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Oreo Truffle Recipe
- Reindeer Cookies
- Christmas Tree Brownies
- Melted Snowman Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- 25 Holiday Cookie Recipes
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Santa Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter; softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar; packed
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 whole egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup Christmas M&Ms
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- With an electric mixer or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat until combined. Do not overmix.
- Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Continue to mix together until cookie dough is formed, scraping down the sides of a bowl with a spatula occasionally.
- Add the M&Ms, chocolate chips and sprinkles and mix until incorporated.
- With a mini ice cream scoop, or 2 tablespoons, scoop cookie dough into balls and place on the prepared cookie sheets. *Optional, add more M&Ms, sprinkles and chocolate chips to the tops of the cookies for presentation.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Enjoy!
- These make great cookies for Santa! 🙂 He will LOVE these!
Notes
- Be sure to not overmix the dough or the cookies could come out flat!
- Remove the cookies from the oven after nine or ten minutes to keep them soft and chewy. The cookies will harden as they cool.
- Use vegan butter, flax eggs, and dairy-free chocolate to make vegan cookies for Santa.
- Instead of chocolate chips, add dried cranberries, raisins, nuts, etc.
Monday Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Almond Joy Cookies from Cheese Curd in Paradise
- British Brandy Snaps from Art of Natural Living
- Chewy Gingerdoodles from Blogghetti
- Chocolate Mint Thumbprints from Sweet Beginnings
- Chocolate Peppermint Stuffed Cookies from Family Around the Table
- Confetti Sprinkle Cookies from Shockingly Delicious
- Easy Peanut Butter Cookies from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- M&M Santa Cookies from Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
- Eggnog Cookies from Devour Dinner
- Gluten-Free Pistachio Cacao Cookies from Frugal & Fit
- Gingerbread Cookies from Jen around the world
- Lemon Drop Cookies from Take Two Tapas
- Magic Cookie Bars from Leftovers Then Breakfast
- Mandarin Orange White Chocolate Chip Cookies from Palatable Pastime
- Molasses Cookies from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Mulled Cider Spiced Brown Sugar Cookies from The Spiffy Cookie
- Old Fashioned Spritz Cookies from An Affair from the Heart
- Orange-Scented Alfajores from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with Grape Nuts from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Quick Maple Oatmeal Cookies from Christmas Tree Lane
- Salted Caramel Fudge Drops from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Santa Hat Red Velvet Mini Cookie Cups from Magical Ingredients
- Slice and Bake Butter Pecan Cookies from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Spiced Christmas Cookies from Daily Dish Recipes
- The Best Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies from Kate’s Recipe Box
I love the festive look of these cookies! They are the perfect cookie to leave out for Santa! SO CUTE!
Thank you Nicole!
This is perfect! Every possible treat is in there, love it! My kids would love it!
There really is! Thank you Radha!
These are so cute! I would love to make these and share them with the neighbors.
That’s such a great idea!
So fun with the M&M’s and Sprinkles!
Thanks!!
Juist looking at these cookies makes me happy. They are so bright and festive!
Thank you Dorothy!
I love how chock full these cookies are! Gorgeous.
Thanks so much! They are loaded with chocolate and m&ms 🙂
There’s nothing like an m & m inside a delicious cookie like this.
🙂 They are so good!
Love the idea of using them as an ice cream sandwich base!
Thank you!
How cute! These cookies are so scrumptious and so beautifully decorated! Can’t wait to make more for Christmas!
Thanks so much Rebecca! 🙂
I love the holiday M&Ms! Your cookies are so fun and festive!
Thank you!
Festive, fun, and filled with all the things I love in a cookie.
🙂 I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as we did!
Nothing says Christmas like cookies that have holiday M&M’s in them! I’m a fan…a HUGE fan!!!
They look so festive! All those colors and sprinkles. They would put a smile on anyone’s face to see these.
Thank you so much! 🙂
These are super fun! I love adding all the festive sprinkles and made a batch with blue and white for Channukah!
That is such a great idea! Thanks Jennifer!