Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies are a fun and festive treat that bring together the best of crunchy Oreos, colorful M&M’s, and soft, chewy cookie dough. These cookies are packed with little bursts of chocolate and candy that make each bite exciting and sweet. Just looking at the bright reds and pinks mixed with the classic Oreo black and white makes you smile right away.
I love making these cookies because they’re so easy and perfect for sharing. I usually mix in a handful of M&M’s and chopped Oreos right into the dough, so every cookie has a surprise bite. The colors and textures make them great for a Valentine’s Day party or just to enjoy a little something special with someone you care about. Plus, it’s fun to sneak a few extra M&M’s into the dough before baking!
One of my favorite ways to serve these cookies is fresh and warm from the oven with a glass of cold milk or hot chocolate. They’re perfect for a cozy date night at home or to hand out as sweet little gifts to friends and family. Whenever I make them, they disappear quickly because everyone loves that mix of chocolate and crunch with a festive twist.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using unsalted butter gives you control over the saltiness. If you want a dairy-free version, try vegan butter or coconut oil, but the texture will be slightly different.
Sugars: Both granulated and brown sugar add sweetness and moisture. Brown sugar adds chewiness. If needed, you can replace brown sugar with coconut sugar for a subtle caramel flavor.
Oreos: Regular Oreos add crunch and chocolate flavor. You can swap for any sandwich cookie you like, or even chocolate chunks for a simpler option.
M&M’s: Mini M&M’s add fun color and chocolate. If you don’t have minis, regular sized ones work but might melt more. You can also use other candy-coated chocolates in Valentine’s colors.
How Do You Get the Perfect Soft and Chewy Cookie Texture?
Soft, chewy cookies need careful mixing and baking. Don’t overmix once you add flour—stop as soon as it’s combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Cream butter and sugars well to trap air, making cookies soft.
- Use brown sugar for moisture and chewiness.
- Bake just until edges are golden and centers look set but still soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet first; they firm up nicely without drying out.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – for mixing wet and dry ingredients separately and easily.
- Hand mixer or stand mixer – makes creaming butter and sugar quicker and smoother.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient amounts every time.
- Baking sheets – sturdy, flat surface helps cookies bake evenly.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – keeps cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Cookie scoop or spoon – helps you portion out evenly sized cookies for uniform baking.
- Wire cooling rack – lets cookies cool quickly without getting soggy underneath.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap Oreos for chopped peanut butter cups for a nutty twist and extra sweetness.
- Use white chocolate chips instead of semisweet for a creamy, mellow chocolate flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin spice for a warm, cozy flavor perfect for colder months.
- Mix in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch and a bit of earthiness.
Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 cup mini M&M’s (preferably red, pink, and white for Valentine’s Day)
Decorations:
- 10 Oreo cookies, quartered
- Pink and red heart-shaped candy sprinkles and jimmies
- White candy pearls or large white sprinkle balls
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes for preparation and 10-12 minutes baking per batch. After baking, allow 5 minutes to cool on baking sheets and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Total time from start to finish is roughly 35-40 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Baking Area:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
Gently fold in the optional chocolate chips and the mini M&M’s, saving some M&M’s for decoration if you like.
3. Shape and Decorate the Cookies:
Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, keeping about 2 inches of space between each cookie as they will spread while baking.
Press quartered Oreo cookie pieces gently onto the top of each ball of dough. Then add your pink and red heart sprinkles, white candy pearls, and any other Valentine’s themed decorations to make your cookies festive and colorful.
4. Baking and Cooling:
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers look set but still soft. Carefully remove the baking sheets from the oven, and let the cookies cool on them for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cookies to wire racks to finish cooling completely.
5. Serving:
Serve your delicious Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s cookies slightly warm or at room temperature. They’re perfect for sharing with loved ones or as a sweet gift for friends and family.
Can I Use Regular M&M’s Instead of Mini M&M’s?
Yes! Regular M&M’s work fine, but keep in mind they may melt more during baking and slightly change the cookie texture. If you want to preserve the shape, mini M&M’s are best.
How Should I Store These Cookies?
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed container for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This can help enhance the flavor and improve texture. Just add toppings right before baking.
What If I Don’t Have Oreo Cookies?
If you don’t have Oreos, try using any chocolate sandwich cookies or even chocolate chunks as a substitute. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious!
