These Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies are a fun twist on classic cookies, packed with crunchy Oreo pieces and colorful M&M’s that bring a cheerful pop to every bite. Soft on the inside with a slight crisp on the outside, they’re the perfect treat to share on a special day or just when you want to brighten up your snack time.
I love making these cookies because they’re easy to throw together but still feel like a little celebration. Mixing in the Oreos adds a unique texture that keeps each cookie interesting, and the M&M’s not only add sweetness but also a splash of fun color—perfect for Valentine’s vibes. Plus, the whole kitchen smells amazing when these bake!
My favorite way to enjoy these cookies is with a glass of milk, whether that’s after dinner or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. They’re great to bake with kids or to surprise someone you care about with a homemade treat. I’ve found that sharing these makes the day a little brighter and sweeter for everyone involved.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Softened unsalted butter gives the cookies a rich and creamy texture. If you only have salted butter, reduce or skip adding extra salt in the recipe.
Oreos: Mini Oreos add crunch and a chocolatey surprise inside. If mini Oreos aren’t available, roughly chop regular Oreos or use sandwich cookies you like.
M&M’s: Valentine-themed M&M’s bring color and a sweet crunch. You can swap these for any chocolate candies or colored chocolate chips you have on hand.
White Chocolate / Melting Wafers: These create a pretty topping that holds decorations. If white chocolate isn’t your favorite, try light pink frosting or melted candy melts instead.
How to Keep Cookies Soft but Edges Slightly Crisp?
Timing and oven temp are key here. Bake your cookies at 350°F for just 9-11 minutes, until edges are golden but centers still look soft. This balance keeps the cookies chewy inside with a nice snap on the outside.
- Use a spoon or cookie scoop to make uniform dough balls for even baking.
- Don’t overbake! Cookies continue to cook a little on the hot sheet after removing from oven.
- Let cooled cookies set before adding toppings so they stay firm but soft inside.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Baking sheets – I prefer ones with a rim to keep cookies from sliding off and to catch any drips from melted chocolate.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats – these prevent sticking and make cleanup much easier.
- Mixing bowls – having a few helps keep wet and dry ingredients separate and makes mixing easier.
- Electric mixer or hand whisk – speeds up creaming butter and sugar for smooth cookie dough.
- Microwave-safe bowl – perfect for melting white chocolate or candy melts evenly without burning.
- Spoon or cookie scoop – helps form evenly sized cookies that bake uniformly.
- Wire cooling rack – lets cookies cool completely without getting soggy underneath.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap Oreos for chopped chocolate chip cookies or peanut butter sandwich cookies for a new flavor twist.
- Use rainbow M&M’s or other colorful candy-coated chocolates if you want a less Valentine-specific look.
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne for a little warmth and unexpected spice kick.
- Mix in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
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
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini Oreo cookies, halved or quartered (save some whole or half Oreos for tops)
- 1 cup Valentine’s Day themed M&M’s (heart shapes and colors: red, pink, white)
For The Decoration:
- 1/2 cup pink or red colored white chocolate chips or melting wafers
- Valentine’s themed sprinkles (red, white, pink jimmies and nonpareils)
- Optional: pink or red food coloring for white chocolate
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare, 10-11 minutes to bake, and another 15-20 minutes to cool and decorate. Overall, you will spend around 45 minutes from start to finish with some hands-off time while cookies cool and chocolate sets.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare and Bake the Cookies:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually mix it into the wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in the mini Oreo pieces and most of the M&M’s, leaving some aside for decorating. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges turn golden but the centers remain soft. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.
2. Melt and Color the White Chocolate:
While cookies cool, melt the white chocolate chips or melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second bursts, stirring well after each, until smooth. If you’d like, add a few drops of pink or red food coloring to tint the white chocolate.
3. Decorate the Cookies:
Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a thin layer of the melted colored white chocolate on top of each cookie. Quickly press one whole or half mini heart-shaped Oreo into each cookie. Then sprinkle leftover Valentine’s M&M’s, heart-shaped candies, and themed sprinkles on top of the wet chocolate so they stick. Let the chocolate set completely before serving or storing.
These delightful Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s cookies combine fun colors, chocolate crunch, and a special topping that’s perfect for sharing with someone you love or enjoying yourself!
Can I Use Regular Oreos Instead of Mini Oreos?
Absolutely! Just chop regular Oreos into smaller pieces so they mix evenly throughout the dough. Reserve some halves for topping as the mini Oreos do nicely here, but larger pieces work too.
How Should I Store These Cookies?
Store your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. To keep the white chocolate decoration intact, layer them with parchment paper between each cookie.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This also helps improve the flavor and texture. Just let the dough warm slightly before scooping onto the baking sheet.
What If I Don’t Have Colored White Chocolate?
No worries! You can melt plain white chocolate chips and mix in a few drops of food coloring to get the pink or red shade. Alternatively, use store-bought colored candy melts or even a light spread of colored frosting once cookies have cooled.
