Easy Chocolate M&M Cookies {Cake Mix}

Easy chocolate m&m cookies recipe, homemade with simple ingredients from your pantry and starts off with a cake mix box. Crispy on the outside but soft and tender on the inside. Great as dessert or snack.

I have been making this recipe as well as these Cake Mix Cookie Bars (With m&m) for as long as I can remember. I even make them with my kiddo now because they are so quick and easy. You just dump all the ingredients in a bowl, mix everything together and then, form little balls and bake. They are soft on the inside but slightly crispy on the outside and those m&m candied add a little crunch, which I adore! These make a great addition to Christmas Cookie Boxes (Homemade Gift). If you are still looking for more inspiration, check out this collection of Easy Cake Mix Recipes (Desserts)

Jump to:

• Key ingredients
• Variations
• How to make chocolate M&M cookies?
• Tips and techniques
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More cake mix cookies
• Recipe

Key ingredients

• Cake mix- I use Devil's food cake mix.
• Eggs- Be sure they are at room temperature.
• Oil- Replaces butter and shortening.
• Baking powder- This helps the cookies puff up.
• Vanilla extract- Brings in a nice touch of warmth.
• M&M candies- You can use mini or regular.

Variations

• Double or triple chocolate version- Add about a ½ cup of chocolate chips into the batter. Depending on how you look at it, this brings in a double or even triple the chocolate!
• Try other add ins- Toss in other options like your favorite candies, sprinkles, or even pretzels to this recipe.
• Cookie bars- Prepare the dough as directed, but instead of making cookie balls, spread the batter in a greased/floured 8 inch square pan. Then for about 20 minutes and enjoy.
• Use mini M&Ms- To get more candy into each bite. Plus, they are so cute.
• Drizzle over the top- Some Easy Chocolate Ganache or Homemade Caramel Sauce.
• Dip in chocolate- You can dip them halfway into melted white, dark, or milk chocolate. Add sprinkles for an extra fancy touch.
• Try a different flavor cake mix- I like Devil's food cake the best, but you can try spice cake, yellow cake, or any of your favorites.
• Make cookie sandwiches- In the middle of two cookies, place a filling, such as Homemade Whipped Cream, Caramel Frosting, Mint Frosting, or Peanut Butter Frosting.

How to make chocolate M&M cookies?

1. Mix together- Cake mix, oil, eggs, baking powder and vanilla extract.
2. Scoop out- Portions of dough, roll into balls and flatten slightly.
3. Place them- On a prepared cookie sheet.
4. Press in- A few M&M candies on top.
5. Bake- Until the the edges get a little crispy.

Tips and techniques

• Don't over-bake the cookies- They will become hard and dry. It's better to under-bake them (which keeps them very fudgy) rather than over-baking them.
• Use oil instead of shortening or butter- To give these cookies that "poofy" shape.
• Use unsalted butter- To avoid cookies that are too salty.
• Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature- Because this will help everything blend smoothly.
• Line cookie tray- To prevent cookies from sticking to the pan and for easy cleanup.
• Be sure to check cake mix size- Because they seem to be getting smaller these days. This recipe uses a 15.25 oz box of cake mix.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Make ahead- This can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. You can go up to 5 days if you keep them in the fridge in a sealed container or even 1 month if kept in the freezer.
• Room temperature- Keep in a cookie jar for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerate- Place in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
• Freeze- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw before serving.

More cake mix cookies

• Gooey Butter Cookies
• Easy Heart Cookies
• White Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Easy Eggnog Cookies
• S'mores Cookies

Recipe