Description
Santa's Favorite Cookies are soft and pillowy brown sugar pudding cookies packed with festive Christmas candy. These easy-to-make cookies combine the richness of brown sugar and vanilla pudding mix with colorful sprinkles and M&Ms for a delightful holiday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix (not sugar free)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles (or any colors)
- 3/4 cup Christmas M&Ms (or any color of M&M)
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and packed brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. If you don't have a stand mixer, a hand mixer will work just as well.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt to the bowl and mix until just combined.
- Add Flour and Mix-ins: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour until the dough comes together. Stir in the red and green sprinkles and Christmas M&Ms evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Scoop 2 tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat. There is no need to space them out at this stage. Cover the cookie sheet with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silpat mats. Remove the chilled dough balls from the refrigerator and place them on the prepared cookie sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 11 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden brown.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store Properly: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to one month to enjoy later.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for maintaining the cookie shape and enhancing flavor.
- You can substitute Christmas M&Ms with any colorful candy-coated chocolates or chocolate chips.
- If you prefer, sprinkles can be swapped with other festive decorations like mini chocolate chips or colored sugar.
- These cookies freeze well—just thaw before serving.
- Using a silpat baking mat prevents sticking and helps with even baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 127 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 57 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg
