If you’re on the hunt for a joyful, colorful treat that perfectly captures the spirit of springtime celebrations, look no further than this Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies are a delightful blend of classic chocolate chip goodness combined with festive M&Ms that bring pops of cheerful color. Soft and chewy with a touch of crispness, these cookies are irresistible for both kids and adults alike, making them a fun and festive addition to your Easter gatherings or afternoon snack time. Trust me, once you try this Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, it will become your new seasonal favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe lies in its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture, with a buttery base, sweet hints, and that signature chocolaty punch.
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature): Provides richness and a tender crumb to the cookies.
- 1 cup brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor for depth.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s light crisp edges.
- 1 egg (room temperature): Binds the ingredients and gives structure.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): The foundation that creates the cookie’s texture.
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch: Ensures softness and a melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and develop a beautiful golden color.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors.
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts into pockets of gooey chocolate goodness.
- 1 cup M&Ms (plus more to top the cookie if desired): Brings fun color and a bit of crunch to celebrate Easter.
How to Make Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get Ready with Your Baking Sheet
Start by lining a small baking sheet with parchment paper. This is a simple step but essential to ensure the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly, giving you beautifully shaped results every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. This process is key to creating a fluffy base that will hold the cookie’s structure and allow those rich flavors to shine through.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is thoroughly combined. The egg adds moisture and binding power, while vanilla lifts and sweetens the flavor profile of your cookies wonderfully.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. This step is crucial to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt, which help achieve the right texture and balance in your Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually incorporate the dry mix into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can toughen the cookies, so gentle folding keeps them tender and chewy.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips and M&Ms
Fold in all the semi-sweet chocolate chips along with the colorful M&Ms for that special festive touch. These add bursts of sweetness and visual appeal that everyone will love.
Step 7: Shape the Cookie Dough Balls
Using about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, roll each portion into balls. Using a cookie scoop helps you maintain uniform size so all cookies bake evenly and look stunning together.
Step 8: Freeze the Dough
Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and pop them into the freezer for at least an hour or up to overnight. Freezing the dough is a great tip to enhance flavors and prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 9: Bake Your Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Arrange the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies might look slightly underbaked—this is perfect for that soft, chewy texture. If you want, press a few extra M&Ms or chocolate chips on top just before baking for an extra pop of color.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This helps them set perfectly for that ideal chewy edge and soft center.
How to Serve Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For serving, consider a sprinkle of extra colorful M&Ms on top as a lovely garnish that brightens the presentation. A dusting of powdered sugar can add a subtle touch of sweetness and a delicate finish for an Easter-inspired look.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair incredibly well with a glass of cold milk or a cup of warm tea. If you want to create a festive spread, consider serving them alongside fresh fruit or pastel-colored cupcakes to keep the season’s joyful feel going strong.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe on a decorative plate with edible flowers or colorful napkins for a charming touch. To make them extra gift-worthy, package them in clear bags tied with spring-themed ribbons—perfect for party favors or thoughtful treats for friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This keeps them soft and flavorful without drying out, so you can enjoy their fresh-baked goodness anytime.
Freezing
The dough balls freeze beautifully, making it easy to bake fresh cookies as needed. You can also freeze baked cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months—just thaw at room temperature when you want a sweet treat.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your cookies warm, reheat them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. Avoid using the microwave if you want to keep that perfect chewy texture without becoming too soft.
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate instead of semi-sweet chips?
Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible, so feel free to swap in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference. Each type will bring a unique flavor twist.
Do I have to freeze the dough before baking?
Freezing the dough helps control spreading and enhances flavor, but if you’re short on time, you can bake the cookies immediately. Just keep in mind they might spread a bit more and have a slightly different texture.
Can I substitute the M&Ms with other Easter candies?
Yes! Feel free to get creative with your candy choices. Mini pastel-colored candies or even chopped chocolate Easter eggs work wonderfully and keep the festive vibe alive.
How do I keep my cookies soft for longer?
Store the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread or a small piece of apple to help retain moisture. This keeps the cookies soft and chewy for several days.
Is it okay to use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can use salted butter, but be sure to reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe slightly to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.
Final Thoughts
This Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a joyful blend of nostalgic flavors and festive fun that’s perfect for sharing with loved ones. Whether you’re baking for an Easter party, a family gathering, or just to brighten a regular day, these cookies never fail to bring smiles. Dive in, bake a batch, and get ready to create sweet memories with every bite!
Print
Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and colorful M&Ms, perfect for celebrating the holiday with a festive twist. The dough is chilled before baking to create a tender texture, and the cookies are topped with extra candies for an appealing look.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup M&Ms (plus more for topping if desired)
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to ensure cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy and well combined. Then blend in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly to create a smooth, homogenous mixture.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet mixture, mixing just until all the flour is incorporated to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in add-ins: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and M&Ms, spreading them evenly throughout the dough without overworking it.
- Shape dough balls: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough and roll into balls. Using a cookie scoop helps create uniformly sized cookies for even baking.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet spaced apart. Press a few extra M&Ms gently on top of each cookie dough ball if you want a decorative finish.
- Chill dough: Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and freeze the dough balls for at least 1 hour and up to overnight to allow the dough to firm up, which helps maintain shape while baking. If frozen overnight, let the dough rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes before baking.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the cookies evenly.
- Bake cookies: Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set and centers appear slightly under-baked for a chewy texture. You can press additional candies or chocolate chips on top during baking if desired for extra appeal.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for several minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store: Store the fully cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and softness.
Notes
- Room temperature butter and egg ensure proper creaming and better cookie texture.
- Freezing the cookie dough balls before baking helps cookies keep their shape and results in a thicker, chewier texture.
- Pressing additional M&Ms on top before and/or during baking adds a fun colorful decoration.
- Do not overmix dough once flour is added to avoid tough cookies.
- Test baking times as ovens vary; cookies should be slightly under-baked in the center for softness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft for up to a week.
