• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Kathryn's Kitchen logo

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Holidays
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine’s Day
      • 4th of July
    • Lunch
    • Main Dishes
    • Muffins & Breads
    • Salads
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups
  • Contact & Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • SHOP

November 8, 2021 By Kathryn Donangelo 27 Comments

Santa’s Cookies

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Last Updated on October 6, 2022 by Kathryn Donangelo

Jump to Recipe

Santa’s Cookies are a must make this holiday season! These chewy and soft cookies 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. 

PIN Santa’s Cookies to try later!

One tray filled with Santa's cookies.

Santa’s Cookies

What do you think Santa’s favorite cookies are? Santa Claus will gobble these soft and buttery cookies up with a cold glass of 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 ultra 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. 

Complete holiday baking with my Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, Snowman Cookies, Gingerbread Men Cookies, and M&M cookies. 

one Santa cookie broken in half with chocolate chips

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. Whole wheat flour can also be used instead.
  • 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 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 white and milk 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 such as dark and semisweet chocolate chips. 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! 

mixing chocolate chips, sprinkles, and M&Ms into cookie dough and placing cookie dough balls on baking sheet with parchment paper

How To Make Santa’s Cookies

STEP ONE: First, pre-heat 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: In a large bowl with a stand or electric mixer on medium speed, cream 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 over-mix the cookie dough. 

top view of Santa cookies with sprinkles and M&Ms

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.

top view of baked cookies on marble surface

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 sheet. 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 9-10 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 cookie 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 big night with his sleigh and reindeer.

close image of baked Santa cookies with sprinkles, Christmas M&Ms, and chocolate chips

Recipe 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. 
  • Instead of chocolate chips, add dried cranberries, raisins, or nuts.

six baked cookies on wire rack with M&Ms, sprinkles, chocolate chips

Pro Tips

  • Be sure to not over-mix 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. 

one stack of Santa cookies on white plate with M&Ms, sprinkles, and chocolate chips

Leftovers & Storage

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.

one tray of Santa cookies with sprinkles, M&Ms, and chocolate chips

More Popular Christmas Cookies

  • 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
  • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Sugar Cookies

top view of baked Santa cookies on tray with M&Ms and sprinkles

Can’t Get Enough?

Subscribe and I’ll send all my newest and FREE recipes to your inbox!  You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and  Facebook. If you make this recipe, please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram so I can see and feature you!

one tray filled with baked Santa cookies with M&Ms, sprinkles, and chocolate chips

Santa's Cookies

Santa's Cookies are a must make this holiday season! These chewy and soft cookies 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. 
4.91 from 21 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas cookies, M&M cookies, santa cookies, santa's cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 30 cookies
Author: Kathryn Donangelo

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!
Find Kathryn's Kitchen Blog on Instagram!Mention @Kathryns.Kitchen.Blog or tag #kathrynskitchen!

Notes

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
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! 

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
  • Santa’s 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

This recipe was last updated October 6, 2022 to include additional and information. Originally posted November 8, 2021 By Kathryn Donangelo.

Like this recipe? Then you'll love these:

  • Melted Snowman Cookies
    Melted Snowman Cookies
  • Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
    Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
  • Reindeer Cookies
    Reindeer Cookies
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Christmas, Cookies, Desserts, Holidays Tagged With: cookies

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. dailydishrecipes@gmail.com'Nicole says

    November 8, 2021 at 8:14 am

    I love the festive look of these cookies! They are the perfect cookie to leave out for Santa! SO CUTE!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 9, 2021 at 6:41 am

      Thank you Nicole!

      Reply
  2. rradhoo@gmail.com'Radha says

    November 8, 2021 at 10:51 am

    This is perfect! Every possible treat is in there, love it! My kids would love it!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 9, 2021 at 6:41 am

      There really is! Thank you Radha!

      Reply
  3. terristeffes1117@gmail.com'Terri Steffes says

    November 8, 2021 at 5:01 pm

    These are so cute! I would love to make these and share them with the neighbors.

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 9, 2021 at 6:40 am

      That’s such a great idea!

      Reply
  4. hezzidsbooksandcooks@gmail.com'Hezzi-D says

    November 8, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    So fun with the M&M’s and Sprinkles!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 9, 2021 at 6:40 am

      Thanks!!

      Reply
  5. dreinhold@charter.net'Dorothy Reinhold says

    November 8, 2021 at 6:50 pm

    Juist looking at these cookies makes me happy. They are so bright and festive!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 9, 2021 at 6:40 am

      5 stars
      Thank you Dorothy!

      Reply
  6. karen.h.kerr@gmail.com'Karen says

    November 8, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    I love how chock full these cookies are! Gorgeous.

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 9, 2021 at 6:39 am

      Thanks so much! They are loaded with chocolate and m&ms 🙂

      Reply
  7. jennifer.sikora1@gmail.com'Jennifer says

    November 9, 2021 at 3:47 am

    There’s nothing like an m & m inside a delicious cookie like this.

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 9, 2021 at 6:39 am

      5 stars
      🙂 They are so good!

      Reply
  8. jmartinelli1000@gmail.com'Jolene says

    November 9, 2021 at 4:06 am

    Love the idea of using them as an ice cream sandwich base!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 9, 2021 at 6:39 am

      5 stars
      Thank you!

      Reply
  9. maps@devourdinner.com'Rebecca says

    November 9, 2021 at 7:25 pm

    5 stars
    How cute! These cookies are so scrumptious and so beautifully decorated! Can’t wait to make more for Christmas!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 10, 2021 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      Thanks so much Rebecca! 🙂

      Reply
  10. ingerjw@live.com'Inger @ Art of Natural Liivng says

    November 10, 2021 at 6:39 am

    I love the holiday M&Ms! Your cookies are so fun and festive!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 10, 2021 at 7:37 am

      5 stars
      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. blogghetti@gmail.com'Lisa Kerhin says

    November 11, 2021 at 8:04 am

    Festive, fun, and filled with all the things I love in a cookie.

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 11, 2021 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      🙂 I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as we did!

      Reply
  12. faithhopeloveandluck@yahoo.com'Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says

    November 15, 2021 at 3:46 am

    Nothing says Christmas like cookies that have holiday M&M’s in them! I’m a fan…a HUGE fan!!!

    Reply
  13. akitchenhoor@gmail.com'Christie says

    November 24, 2021 at 1:23 pm

    They look so festive! All those colors and sprinkles. They would put a smile on anyone’s face to see these.

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      November 24, 2021 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much! 🙂

      Reply
  14. bj3699@bellsouth.net'Jennifer says

    December 7, 2021 at 9:24 am

    5 stars
    These are super fun! I love adding all the festive sprinkles and made a batch with blue and white for Channukah!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 8, 2021 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      That is such a great idea! Thanks Jennifer!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome to my blog and kitchen! You’ll find delicious, easy, and (mostly) healthy recipes from dinners to desserts! I want to help you bring memorable recipes to your family’s dinner table! To learn more about me, click here.

As Featured In:

Footer

Home    Recipes    Contact Me    Privacy Policy

Categories

COPYRIGHT © 2022 Kathryn's Kitchen Blog

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT