Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s cookies are a fun and colorful treat packed with crunchy Oreos, sweet M&M’s, and lots of chocolatey goodness. These cookies bring together a perfect mix of chewy, crunchy, and melty textures that make every bite interesting and delicious. They’re a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday with something a little extra special but super easy to make.
I love making these cookies because they’re not only tasty but also really fun to customize with all the colorful M&M’s that remind me of Valentine’s Day. The Oreos add a nice twist with their creamy filling and extra crunch that you don’t usually get in a classic cookie. Whenever I bake these, the whole kitchen smells amazing, and it feels like a mini celebration in itself.
These cookies are perfect for sharing, whether it’s with friends, family, or that special someone. I like to package them up in little bags tied with a ribbon to give as sweet little gifts. It’s an easy way to spread some love and smiles with a homemade treat. Plus, they’re so good that once you try one, you’ll want to bake another batch right away!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Softened unsalted butter gives a rich and creamy texture. You can swap it for salted butter, but reduce added salt slightly.
Sugar: A mix of granulated and brown sugar balances sweetness and moisture. Brown sugar helps keep cookies chewy.
Oreos: Chopped Oreos add crunch and creaminess. Feel free to use gluten-free sandwich cookies if needed.
M&M’s: Valentine’s-themed M&M’s add color and candy crunch. Regular M&M’s work fine too, or try chocolate chips for a simpler twist.
Heart-shaped marshmallows & sprinkles: They add festive fun and extra sweetness. If unavailable, use candy hearts or any colorful sprinkles you like.
How Do You Keep These Cookies Soft and Colorful?
The secret to soft cookies is creaming the butter and sugars until fluffy; this traps air to help rise and texture. Mixing in the dry ingredients slowly ensures even dough without overworking it.
- Use room temperature butter and beat it with sugars for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time for smooth mixing.
- Fold in Oreos and M&M’s gently to keep chunks intact.
- Press extra toppings on while cookies are raw to keep them visible after baking.
- Bake just until the edges are golden but centers still look soft to avoid dry cookies.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Baking sheets – sturdy and flat for even baking and easy cookie removal.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats – prevent sticking and make cleanup simple.
- Mixing bowls – one large for dough and one small for dry ingredients keeps mixing organized.
- Electric mixer or hand whisk – helps cream butter and sugars quickly and smoothly.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for precise ingredient amounts to get perfect cookies every time.
- Cookie scoop or spoon – makes evenly sized cookies for uniform baking.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap Oreos for white chocolate chunks to add creamy sweetness and soften texture.
- Use peanut butter M&M’s for a nutty twist that pairs well with rich cookie dough.
- Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to introduce crunch and depth of flavor.
- Mix in mini chocolate chips alongside M&M’s for extra melty chocolate in each bite.
Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
For The Mix-Ins and Toppings:
- 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped Oreo cookies (about 10 Oreos)
- 1 cup Valentine’s Day-themed M&M’s (red, pink, white)
- 1/2 cup Valentine’s Day sprinkles (pink, red, white, and blue)
- Heart-shaped pink marshmallows or candy hearts
- Mini white marshmallows (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 10-12 minutes to bake each batch. Allow an extra 5 minutes for cooling on the baking sheet, plus additional time if baking multiple batches. Overall, you can expect to spend around 30-40 minutes to make a full batch of these festive cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Get Your Oven Ready:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to keep the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup easy.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light—about 3 to 4 minutes. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and a smooth cookie dough forms.
4. Add the Fun Stuff:
Gently fold in the chopped Oreos, Valentine’s Day M&M’s, and sprinkles. Save a few chunks of Oreos, some M&M’s, heart-shaped marshmallows, and sprinkles for decoration on top of the cookies.
5. Shape and Decorate:
Scoop the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets using a cookie scoop or spoon, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each cookie ball slightly with your hand, then press the reserved toppings gently onto the tops to make them look festive.
6. Bake to Perfection:
Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden but the centers still look soft. This will keep your cookies chewy and tender.
7. Cool and Enjoy:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy your colorful, festive Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s cookies with friends and family!
Can I Use Frozen Butter for These Cookies?
It’s best to use softened butter at room temperature for creamy, well-mixed dough. If you only have frozen butter, thaw it completely in the fridge overnight and let it sit out for about 30 minutes before baking.
Can I Substitute Oreos with Another Cookie?
Absolutely! You can swap Oreos for any sandwich cookie or chocolate chip cookie chunks. Just chop them coarsely so you get nice texture and bits throughout your cookies.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer freshness, freeze them in a sealed container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I Make This Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. When ready to bake, scoop and bake as usual, possibly adding a minute or two to baking time if the dough is chilled.
