Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies are a fun and festive treat that combine the classic crunch of Oreo cookies with the colorful pop of M&M’s. These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolatey goodness, making them perfect for sharing with someone special or just enjoying as a sweet pick-me-up. The Valentine-themed M&M’s add a cute, playful touch that makes these cookies stand out.
I love making these cookies because they’re super easy to whip up and they always get smiles and compliments whenever I bring them along. Mixing crushed Oreo pieces into the cookie batter gives an extra crunchy twist that I didn’t expect but totally love. Plus, the little bursts of M&M colors make every bite fun and bright — it’s like a celebration in your mouth!
My favorite way to enjoy these cookies is fresh out of the oven, still warm and gooey. They pair perfectly with a glass of cold milk or even a cup of hot cocoa if you want to stay cozy. These cookies are a great little surprise for Valentine’s Day, whether you’re gifting them to friends, family, or treating yourself to something sweet and cheerful.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Softened unsalted butter is key for a creamy cookie dough. If you only have salted butter, reduce added salt to keep flavors balanced.
Valentine’s Day M&M’s: These add fun color and a chocolatey crunch. You can swap with any candy-coated chocolate or even mini chocolate chips if needed.
Oreo Cookies: Heart-shaped Oreos are lovely for the theme, but regular Oreos work just as well. Break them into halves or quarters if you want smaller pieces.
Pink Frosting: Adds sweetness and helps toppings stick. Use store-bought to save time or whip up a simple buttercream with powdered sugar and a drop of red food coloring.
Sprinkles: Valentine’s sprinkles bring extra charm and color. You can get creative with shapes and colors based on what you like or have on hand.
How Can You Keep Your Cookies Soft and Chewy?
The secret to soft, chewy cookies lies in balancing baking time and moisture. Watch the edges—when they’re golden but the center still looks slightly underbaked, it’s time to take them out.
- Use both brown sugar and granulated sugar; brown sugar adds moisture.
- Don’t overmix the dough once you add flour to keep it tender.
- Let cookies cool a few minutes on the baking sheet before moving them—this helps them set without drying out.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – One large bowl for dough and a smaller one for dry ingredients makes mixing easy and organized.
- Hand mixer or stand mixer – Helps cream butter and sugar smoothly for the best cookie texture.
- Baking sheets – Flat, rimmed sheets prevent cookie dough from spreading too much and keep cookies uniform.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats – Stops cookies from sticking and makes cleanup quick.
- Spoon or cookie scoop – Helps portion out evenly sized cookies for consistent baking.
- Wire cooling rack – Lets cookies cool evenly without getting soggy underneath.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap M&M’s for Valentine-themed chocolate chips or white chocolate chips for a creamy twist.
- Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch and a nice contrast to the sweet ingredients.
- Mix in dried cherries or cranberries to add a tart burst that pairs well with chocolate.
- Try peanut butter chips or swirl peanut butter into the dough for a nutty flavor upgrade.
Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Valentine’s Day-themed M&M’s (heart-shaped and pink, red, white colors)
For Decoration:
- 10 Oreo cookies (heart-shaped or regular), halved or whole
- ½ cup pink frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- Valentine’s Day-themed sprinkles (red, white, pink, heart shapes)
Time Needed:
Total time is about 30-40 minutes: 10 minutes to prepare the dough, 10-12 minutes baking per batch, and some extra time to frost and decorate once cooled.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined. Gently fold in the Valentine-themed M&M’s.
3. Bake the Cookies:
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, form dough balls about 2 tablespoons each and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are golden but centers are still soft. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes.
4. Decorate Your Cookies:
While the cookies are still warm, spread about a teaspoon of pink frosting on top of each. Gently press an Oreo cookie into the frosting of each cookie. Decorate around the Oreos with Valentine’s-themed sprinkles and extra heart-shaped candies or M&Ms as desired. Let the cookies cool completely on wire racks so the frosting and toppings set properly.
5. Serve and Enjoy!
Your colorful and festive Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies are ready to be shared and enjoyed with your loved ones!
Can I Use Regular M&M’s Instead of Valentine-Themed Ones?
Yes, you can! Regular M&M’s work perfectly if you don’t have Valentine-themed ones. You can also add red, pink, or white sprinkles separately to keep the festive look.
How Should I Store These Cookies?
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before scooping and baking.
What Can I Substitute for Pink Frosting?
If you don’t have pink frosting, you can use plain vanilla frosting and add a few drops of red or pink food coloring. Alternatively, cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze works well too!
