Halloween Oreo M&M’s Cookies Recipe
If you’re looking for a showstopper for your Halloween celebration, you’ve just stumbled upon a fan-freaking-tastic treat: the Halloween Oreo M&M’s Cookies Recipe. These cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser—chewy, packed with chocolatey Halloween Oreos, and bursting with colorful M&M’s that make every bite feel festive and fun. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a Halloween favorite you’ll want to bake again and again. Let me walk you through everything you need to know to nail this recipe with ease!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balance of Texture: The slightly crisp edges combined with gooey centers keep every cookie perfectly inviting.
- Flavor Fusion: Combining rich Halloween Oreos and festive M&M’s adds both chocolate intensity and pop of color.
- Simple Prep: No fancy kitchen tools needed—you’ll whip these together quickly even on a busy day.
- Crowd-Pleasing Appeal: They’re fun enough for kids but indulgent enough for grown-ups, making them a Halloween party hit.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a crucial role in crafting these delightful Halloween Oreo M&M’s Cookies. The butter and sugars give you that luscious chewiness, while the Oreo crunch and colorful M&M’s bring fun texture and flavor rounds that make these cookies impossible to resist.
- Butter: Slightly softened butter ensures a smooth cream when mixed with sugars, creating the perfect cookie base.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and depth with its molasses notes, enhancing the chewiness of the cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with a slight crispiness at the edges.
- Egg: Acts as a binder while providing richness and contributing to the cookie’s soft texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A little magic that amplifies all the sweet flavors in the dough.
- Flour: The foundation for cookie structure; measuring carefully ensures the right balance of softness and chew.
- Cornstarch: This sneaky addition helps keep cookies tender by softening the gluten development.
- Baking Soda: Gives the cookies a subtle lift for a lighter texture without making them cakey.
- Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and enhancing the chocolate’s flavor profile.
- Halloween M&M’s: These candy-coated chocolates bring that festive look and a satisfying crunch.
- Halloween Oreo Cookies: Roughly chopped for big chunks of creamy chocolate cookie in every bite—make sure to grab regular, not double stuffed, for perfect cookie dough consistency.
Make It Your Way
One of the reasons I adore the Halloween Oreo M&M’s Cookies Recipe is how versatile it is. I often tweak the mix-ins depending on what Halloween candies I have on hand or who I’m baking for. Feel free to swap things up to make this recipe your own—it’s all about having fun in the kitchen and making something uniquely delicious for you and your crew.
- Variation: I once swapped out Halloween M&M’s for peanut butter chips, and it was a surprisingly delicious twist that added a lovely nutty flavor to balance the Oreos.
- Dietary Substitution: For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based butter alternative—you’ll still get that creamy, chewy texture without missing a beat.
- Seasonal Twists: Love mint? Add some chopped Andes mints instead of Oreos for a cool flavor burst perfect for the fall season.
- Texture Preferences: If you like crunchier cookies, bake for an extra minute or two until edges turn golden, but watch closely to avoid drying them out.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Oreo M&M’s Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat—this prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. In a medium bowl, use a sturdy spatula (or a mixer if you prefer) to cream together ½ cup of softened butter with ½ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup granulated sugar. Take your time here; mixing until smooth and fluffy will give your cookies that perfect chewy base, so don’t rush it!
Step 2: Incorporate the Egg and Vanilla
Next, add in one egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous. This step isn’t just about mixing—it helps incorporate air, making the dough lighter and more cohesive.
Step 3: Fold in Dry Ingredients
Now, gently add your dry ingredients: 1⅓ cups flour, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix slowly and just until you no longer see flour pockets. Overmixing here can make the cookies tough, so stop as soon as combined.
Step 4: Add Festive Mix-Ins
Fold in ⅔ cup of Halloween M&M’s and about 7 roughly chopped Halloween Oreo cookies (regular stuffed, NOT double stuffed). These chunks are the real stars of the show. Using a large cookie scoop (about ¼ cup size), portion the cookie dough into 10 equal mounds and place them on your prepared baking sheet. I like to top each cookie with a few extra M&M’s or Oreos pieces for a photogenic and tasty touch.
Step 5: Baking and Perfecting Shape
Bake for 10 to 11 minutes. Don’t worry if the cookies look a little underdone or gooey in the center — this is exactly the texture you want. They’ll finish setting as they cool. For a professional finish, I use a larger cookie scooper right out of the oven to gently swirl each cookie, helping them get that round, bakery-style look.
Step 6: Cooling
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling time lets them firm up correctly, ensuring you bite into gooey centers with just the right amount of chew.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Softening Butter: Let your butter sit at room temp for about 30 minutes for easier creaming—cold butter won’t mix well and hot butter will make a greasy dough.
- Mixing Dry Ingredients Separately: I always sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt before adding to wet ingredients to avoid lumps and ensure even rising.
- Patent Perfect Swirl: Using a larger cookie scooper to swirl cookies as soon as they come out straight from the oven is a trick I learned that keeps my cookies rounded and beautiful every time.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies just as edges turn light golden; they’ll firm up as they cool, so leaving them a bit underdone is perfect.
How to Serve Halloween Oreo M&M’s Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, I love topping these cookies with an extra sprinkle of Halloween M&M’s or a light drizzle of melted white chocolate tinted with orange or purple food coloring. It makes them look festive and adds a hint of extra sweetness that’s perfect for sharing at parties.
Side Dishes
I often serve these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm pumpkin spice latte—both pair beautifully with the cookie’s chocolaty, sweet richness. For a Halloween party, mini cups of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon complement them wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a memorable presentation, arrange these cookies on a tiered Halloween-themed platter, surrounded by mini pumpkins, candy corn, and themed cupcake picks. I’ve also wrapped a few in clear treat bags tied with festive ribbons, making perfect party favors or classroom treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I usually separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together, which helps maintain that freshly-baked texture.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! After baking and cooling completely, pop them into a freezer-safe container with wax paper layers. They keep well for up to 3 months. When you want a quick treat, thaw them at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave.
Reheating
To refresh the warmth and soft texture, microwave a cookie for about 10-12 seconds or heat a few in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. The cookies soften up perfectly without drying out, just like freshly baked.
FAQs
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Can I substitute regular Oreos if I can’t find Halloween Oreos?
Absolutely! Regular Oreos work just as well in this recipe. The fun Halloween twist comes mostly from the M&M’s colors and the festive presentation, so feel free to get creative with your favorite cookie flavors.
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Why use cornstarch in the cookie dough?
Cornstarch helps make the cookies extra soft and tender by reducing gluten formation, so they come out chewy and melt-in-your-mouth rather than tough or cakey.
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How can I make these cookies vegan or allergy-friendly?
To make vegan cookies, replace the butter with a vegan alternative and use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water). You can also swap out Oreos and M&M’s with allergy-friendly or dairy-free versions to suit dietary needs.
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Is it okay if the cookies look underbaked when I take them out?
Yes! These cookies continue to cook on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven, so a slightly gooey center is exactly what you want for that soft, chewy texture.
Final Thoughts
I’ve baked countless batches of cookies over the years, but this Halloween Oreo M&M’s Cookies Recipe always brings a special kind of joy to my kitchen. It’s easy enough to whip up on a whim, but feels festive and indulgent—perfect for sharing laughs and sweet moments with family and friends. If you’re searching for a cookie recipe that marries fun, flavor, and just the right amount of nostalgia, you truly can’t go wrong here. Give it a try—I promise it’ll make your Halloween celebrations a little brighter and a whole lot tastier!
PrintHalloween Oreo M&M’s Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Halloween Oreo M&M’s cookies combine rich, buttery cookie dough with festive Halloween M&M’s and chopped Oreo cookies for a fun and delicious seasonal treat. Soft and gooey in the center with colorful candy pieces throughout, these cookies are perfect for Halloween parties or cozy fall baking.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter slightly softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 and 1/3 cup flour
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Mix-ins
- 2/3 cup Halloween M&M’s
- 7 Halloween Oreo cookies, roughly chopped, regular stuffed (NOT DOUBLE STUFFED), chilled
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth using a spatula or mixer.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, corn starch, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Carefully fold in the Halloween M&M’s and chopped Oreo cookies to evenly distribute throughout the dough.
- Form Cookies: Using a large cookie scooper (about 1/4 cup or 4 tablespoons), scoop out the dough and place onto the prepared baking sheet in 10 equal portions. Optionally top with extra M&M’s and chopped Oreos for decoration.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 11 minutes. The centers may look slightly underdone but will firm up as they cool.
- Shape and Cool: Immediately after removing from the oven, use a larger cookie cutter to gently round the cookies. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Using chilled Oreo cookies helps keep the pieces distinct in the dough and prevents them from becoming too soft.
- Don’t overbake the cookies; they should look slightly underdone to maintain a soft, gooey texture.
- You can substitute Halloween M&M’s and Oreos with regular M&M’s and Oreos if seasonal versions aren’t available.
- For perfectly round cookies, shape them immediately after baking while still warm with a cookie cutter.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on a rack for the best texture and flavor development.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg