These Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s cookies are a fun, colorful twist on a classic treat! Imagine crunchy bits of Oreo mixed into a soft cookie dough, all studded with festive red and pink M&M’s that add both a sweet chocolate punch and a pop of color perfect for the holiday.
I love making these cookies because they’re so easy to whip up and instantly brighten the day. The Oreo pieces give a nice crunch and a hint of that familiar chocolate and cream flavor, while the M&M’s make every bite feel like a little celebration. Plus, they’re a great way to use up those fun holiday M&M’s that I always find myself buying around February.
For Valentine’s Day, I like to put these cookies in a cute little box or wrap them in colorful cellophane and give them to friends and family. They’re a sweet way to share some love without being too fancy, and everyone seems to smile when they see those pretty red and pink candies peek through each cookie. If you’re like me, you’ll probably eat a few extra while baking too!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using unsalted butter helps control the saltiness in the cookies. If you don’t have unsalted, just reduce added salt a bit. Room temperature butter creams better and makes cookies softer.
Oreo Cookies: The chopped Oreos bring crunch and that classic chocolate-cream flavor. You can also use other sandwich cookies or chocolate chip cookies for a twist.
M&M’s: The colored M&M’s add a festive look and a little candy crunch. If you have trouble finding Valentine’s colors, regular red, pink, or white candy-coated chocolates work fine.
Flour & Leavening: All-purpose flour gives the right cookie texture. Baking soda helps them spread and brown nicely. Don’t swap this unless you know how to adjust leavening!
How Do I Keep the Oreos and M&M’s from Sinking or Melting?
It’s common for candies or cookie chunks to melt or sink during baking. Here’s how to get them evenly spread and nice on top:
- Fold half of the Oreos and M&M’s into dough so they get inside the cookie for flavor and texture.
- Press the remaining chunks and candies gently on top of the cookie dough balls before baking.
- Bake on parchment paper to help prevent spreading too much and losing the candy on the cookie surface.
- Remove from oven as soon as edges turn golden; centers should still look soft to keep cookies chewy.
This technique makes your cookies look fun and festive while keeping the crunchy bits where you want them!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – at least two so you can mix wet and dry ingredients separately.
- Hand mixer or stand mixer – makes creaming butter and sugar easier and faster.
- Measuring cups and spoons – to get ingredient amounts just right.
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon – helps you make evenly sized cookies.
- Baking sheets lined with parchment paper – keeps cookies from sticking and helps even baking.
- Wire cooling rack – lets cookies cool evenly and stay crisp on the outside.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap Oreos for chopped chocolate chip cookies for a milder crunch and classic chip cookie flavor.
- Use white chocolate or peanut butter M&M’s if you want a sweeter or nuttier twist.
- Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor contrast.
- Mix in mini marshmallows to give a gooey surprise inside, especially fun for colder months.
How to Make 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
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins and Toppings:
- 1 1/2 cups chopped Oreo cookies (about 12 cookies)
- 1 cup Valentine’s Day themed M&M’s (pink, red, white)
- 1/2 cup Valentine-themed sprinkles (optional)
- Valentine-themed marshmallow shapes or candies (optional for decoration)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This cookie recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 10-12 minutes to bake per batch. Allow an additional 5 minutes for cooling. Overall, you can expect around 30-40 minutes from start to finish, making it a quick and festive treat to whip up for Valentine’s Day!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prep the Oven and Baking Sheets:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to help them bake evenly.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined.
3. Add the Oreos and M&M’s:
Gently fold in the chopped Oreo cookies and half of the Valentine’s Day M&M’s into the cookie dough. This helps mix the ingredients evenly throughout the dough.
4. Shape and Decorate the Cookies:
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to give room for spreading.
Press a few more M&M’s, Oreo halves, marshmallow shapes, and sprinkles onto the top of each dough ball for a festive look.
5. Bake and Cool:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft. This helps keep the cookies chewy.
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Enjoy!
Serve your delicious Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s cookies to friends, family, or just enjoy them yourself. They’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or a sweet holiday treat!
Can I Use Frozen Butter for These Cookies?
It’s best to use softened butter at room temperature for creamy, easy mixing. If your butter is frozen, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then bring it to room temp before starting.
Can I Substitute the Oreos or M&M’s?
Absolutely! You can swap Oreos for any sandwich cookies or even chocolate chips. For M&M’s, any candy-coated chocolates in festive colors work well to keep the Valentine’s vibe.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. To keep them soft longer, add a slice of bread inside the container to retain moisture.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! Chill the dough covered in the fridge for up to 48 hours before baking. This can actually enhance flavor and texture. Just let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before scooping and baking.