Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies

I still remember standing in my tiny kitchen, accidentally dropping half a bag of M&M’s into the mixing bowl and laughing until the dog tried to help — have you ever had a baking oops turn into a happy accident? If you’re new to baking, measuring, mixing, and timing can feel a little intimidating, but this recipe is forgiving and kind to beginners. I promise these Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies are simple, fun, and stress-free — and if you like playful, festive cookies, you might also enjoy my take on iced birthday cake cookies for another cozy treat.

A Quick Look at This Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies Recipe

These cookies blend crunchy Oreo bits and colorful Valentine’s Day M&M’s into a soft, slightly chewy cookie base. The two star ingredients — chopped Oreos and festive M&M’s — give each bite texture and a candy-sweet pop. They’re comforting and quick to make, great for last-minute gifting or a cozy baking afternoon. Beginner-friendly methods mean you won’t need fancy tools, and the dough is forgiving if you overmix a little. Scroll down to find tips to keep them thick, chewy, and adorable for Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies

Essentials

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened (room temperature but not greasy)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 2/3 cup Valentine’s Day M&M’s (or any red/pink/white mix)
• 7 Oreo cookies, roughly chopped (about 3/4 cup once chopped)

Optional add-ons

• Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling just before serving — it cuts the sweetness nicely
• 1/4 cup white chocolate chips for extra creamy pockets
• A few extra whole M&M’s to press on top before baking for a prettier finish
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon for a warm hint of spice

Substitutions and shortcuts

• Butter: You can use salted butter but reduce added salt to 1/4 teaspoon. Melted butter changes texture, so avoid swapping unless you’re after a crisper cookie.
• Flour: Use the same amount of gluten-free all-purpose flour (one-to-one mix) if you need gluten-free; dough may be slightly crumbly, so chill briefly if needed.
• Sugars: If you only have white sugar, increase to 3/4 cup total, but the cookies will be less moist and less caramel flavored.
• Oreos: Use sandwich cookies of similar size — you can swap in Golden Oreos for a different look and flavor.
• M&M’s: Any chocolate candy works — plain, peanut-free options, or even chocolate chips if you want to avoid candy-coated shells.
• Shortcut: If you’re short on time, press extra chopped cookies and M&M’s into store-bought cookie dough rounds, then bake according to the dough’s package instructions for a quick fix.

How to Make Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies Step-by-Step

Step 1 — Get ready: oven and sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy. If you have two sheets, rotate them halfway when baking more than one sheet at a time.

Step 2 — Soften the butter properly

Make sure your butter is slightly softened: it should give gently when pressed but not be greasy or melting. If it’s still too hard, microwave for 5–7 seconds at a time until just soft. Too-soft butter can lead to flat cookies.

Step 3 — Cream butter and sugars

In a medium bowl, combine the 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy whisk and wooden spoon. Beat or whisk until the mixture is smooth and the color turns paler — usually 2–3 minutes by hand or 1–2 minutes with an electric mixer. The creaming step traps air and helps the cookies become tender.

Step 4 — Add the egg and vanilla

Crack in the large egg and pour in 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined and the batter is glossy. If it looks curdled, that’s okay — once the dry ingredients join, the dough will come together.

Step 5 — Mix dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon corn starch, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon fine salt. Whisking helps evenly distribute the leavening so the cookies rise evenly.

Step 6 — Combine wet and dry

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Stir using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined — don’t overmix. Overworking the flour develops gluten and makes cookies tough. The dough should be slightly sticky but hold a shape.

Step 7 — Fold in the mix-ins

Gently fold in 2/3 cup Valentine’s Day M&M’s and the roughly chopped 7 Oreo cookies until they’re evenly distributed. If you want more color or Oreo pieces on top, reserve a handful to press into the cookie dough balls later.

Step 8 — Portion the dough

Use a cookie scooper or tablespoon to divide the dough into 10 equal mounds on the prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each mound to allow for gentle spreading. For uniform cookies, weigh dough mounds (about 45–50 g each), but that isn’t necessary — the scooper keeps things even.

Step 9 — Bake until edges set

Bake for about 13 minutes. The edges should be set and slightly golden while the centers still look a bit soft and underbaked; they’ll firm up as they cool. If you prefer chewier cookies, err on the slightly underbaked side.

Step 10 — Cool and finish

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you like a sweet-salty contrast, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on each cookie while they’re still warm. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Baking cookies seems simple, but small missteps can change texture and flavor. I’ve learned the hard way that timing, temperatures, and mixing matter — and that a few simple checks keep the cookies cozy and consistent.

Mistake 1: Overmixing the dough

Mixing the dough until it’s silky smooth might feel right, but it can develop too much gluten and make cookies hard. Stir until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. A slightly shaggy dough is okay — it bakes into soft cookies.

Mistake 2: Using butter that’s too warm or melted

If your butter is melting, the dough spreads too much and cookies become thin and crispy. Use butter that’s softened but still holds its shape. If you accidentally melted it, chill the dough briefly before scooping.

Mistake 3: Baking at the wrong temperature or time

An oven that runs hot or cold changes results. Use an oven thermometer if you suspect your oven is off. Remove cookies when edges are set and centers look slightly underbaked — overbaking dries them out. Rotate the pan halfway if baking more than one tray.

Serving Suggestions for Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies

These cookies are made to be enjoyed warm or at room temperature; they’re perfect for sharing with friends, tucking into a gift box, or pairing with a drink for a cozy snack.

Warm and gooey with milk

Serve a warm cookie with a cold glass of milk or a mug of hot chocolate. The contrast of warm chocolate pockets and cold milk is comfort food heaven.

Gift jars or cookie boxes

Layer cooled cookies gently in a pretty jar or tie a stack with twine and wax paper for a sweet homemade Valentine’s gift.

Make cookie sandwiches

Spread a tablespoon of vanilla or cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a decadent sandwich. Roll the edges in extra chopped M&M’s for a festive look.

Conclusion

I hope you feel ready to bake these playful Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies — they’re quicker than they look, endlessly customizable, and forgiving enough for beginners to love. If you want a slightly thicker, chewier version, a quick chill in the fridge for 15–30 minutes before baking helps a lot. For more inspiration and variations from other home bakers, I found a few recipes that inspired my tweaks: check out The Best Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M Cookies (Thick & Chewy) for a similar thick-and-chewy style, and see a bold, colorful take at valentine’s m&m oreo cookies – The Foul-Mouth Gourmet. Give these a try this Valentine’s season and tell me how they turned out — I love hearing about your kitchen wins.

FAQs About Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies