These Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies are a fun and festive treat that combine the crunch of Oreos and the colorful pop of M&M’s in every bite. Soft, chewy cookie dough loaded with chunks of Oreo cookies and bright red and pink M&M’s make these cookies perfect for celebrating love and friendship. They’re sweet, a little chocolatey, and definitely made to bring a smile.
I love making these cookies around Valentine’s Day because they’re easy to mix up and everyone always gets a kick out of the colorful candies peeking through. Plus, the mix of Oreos inside adds an extra surprise of crunch and flavor that sets these cookies apart from your regular chocolate chip batch. I usually sneak a few extra M&M’s on top before baking just to make them look even more festive!
These cookies are great to share with friends, family, or your special someone. I like wrapping them up in little clear bags with a ribbon for a sweet gift, or just leaving a plate out as a fun treat during a cozy movie night. No matter how you serve them, these cookies make Valentine’s Day feel a little sweeter and a lot more colorful.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness. If you’re short on time, you can melt the butter and let it cool for chewier cookies.
Sugars: Combining granulated and brown sugar gives the cookies a balanced sweetness and texture. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness.
Oreos: Chopping Oreos into chunks keeps pockets of chocolate and cream in the cookies. You can swap regular Oreos for gluten-free or double stuf for extra creaminess.
Valentine’s Day M&M’s: The colorful M&M’s keep things festive. If not available, use regular M&M’s or chocolate candies in red, pink, or white colors.
Sprinkles and Candy Hearts: These add fun and decoration but can be skipped or replaced with any small themed candies you like.
How Can You Keep Your Cookies Soft and Chewy with Lots of Mix-ins?
When you mix in Oreos and M&M’s, it’s easy to overwork the dough or bake too long, which makes the cookies tough. Here’s how to keep them soft and full of mix-ins:
- Don’t overmix: Fold in the Oreos and M&M’s gently after the dough is ready to keep the texture light.
- Use the right baking time: Bake around 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers still look soft.
- Let cookies rest: Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them finish cooking without drying out.
- Press extra mix-ins on top: Add a few M&M’s and candy hearts on top before baking for a pretty look and extra flavor right at the surface.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – one large for dough, and one small for dry ingredients; easy to keep things organized.
- Electric mixer or hand whisk – makes creaming butter and sugar quick and smooth.
- Baking sheets – choose sturdy, flat pans for even baking and nice cookie shape.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats – prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Spoon or cookie scoop – helps you portion even dough balls for uniform cookies.
- Cooling rack – lets cookies cool evenly without getting soggy on the bottom.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap Oreos for crushed chocolate chip cookies for a classic chocolate chip twist with added crunch.
- Add white chocolate or peanut butter chips to boost sweetness and flavor depth.
- Mix in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra texture and a nutty taste.
- Use colorful holiday M&M’s or peanut M&M’s depending on your flavor preference and celebration.
Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Mix-Ins and Decorations:
- 10 Oreo cookies, roughly chopped
- 1 cup Valentine’s Day M&M’s (red, pink, white)
- Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles (optional)
- Valentine’s Day candy hearts for decoration (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 10-12 minutes to bake each batch. Add a few extra minutes for cooling. Overall, plan for about 30 to 40 minutes from start to finish so you can enjoy these warm and festive cookies soon!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Baking Sheets and Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Make The Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing.
4. Fold in Oreo Chunks and M&M’s:
Carefully fold in the chopped Oreos and Valentine’s Day M&M’s, saving some of each to press on top of the cookies before baking.
5. Shape and Decorate The Cookies:
Using about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie, drop dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart. Press a few reserved M&M’s and candy hearts gently on the top of each cookie for a festive look.
6. Bake and Cool:
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers look set but still soft. Don’t overbake to keep them chewy. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
Your Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Share them with friends and loved ones or gift them wrapped for a special touch.
Can I Use Frozen Butter for These Cookies?
It’s best to use softened butter for creaming with the sugars, as frozen butter won’t blend properly. If frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge or soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
Can I Substitute the Oreo Cookies?
Absolutely! You can use any sandwich cookies you like, or even chocolate chip cookies for a different twist. Just chop them into chunks similar in size to Oreos so they blend well in the dough.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months—just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! Prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours for even better flavor. Let it warm slightly before scooping and baking.
