Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies are the perfect sweet treat for celebrating love and friendship. These cookies are soft and chewy with the delightful crunch of Oreo pieces baked right in, plus colorful M&M’s that add a fun pop of color and a little chocolatey surprise. They’re festive, playful, and just the right mix of chocolate and cookie goodness.
I love making these cookies because they’re so easy to put together, and everyone always smiles when they see all those red and pink M&M’s shining through. It’s like a little bit of a party in every bite! I usually sneak a few extras just for myself while they’re still warm from the oven—it’s hard not to!
My favorite way to enjoy these is straight from the cookie jar with a glass of milk or even paired with a cup of coffee for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. They’re also a great treat to share with friends or your special someone, especially around Valentine’s Day when a little extra sweetness feels just right. They remind me that the best gifts don’t have to be fancy—sometimes, a cookie made with a little love is all you need.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using unsalted butter is best as you control the saltiness. If needed, you can swap for margarine but the flavor won’t be as rich.
Oreo Cookies: Mini Oreos work great for mixing in. If you can’t find mini ones, chop regular Oreos into smaller bits. Heart-shaped Oreos add a cute touch for Valentine’s Day but aren’t necessary.
M&M’s: Valentine-themed M&M’s bring festive colors. You can replace these with regular red, pink, or white M&M’s or even chocolate chips if needed.
Pink Frosting & Sprinkles: Pink frosting gives great color contrast and sweetness. Use store-bought or make simple frosting with powdered sugar and a bit of milk and food coloring. Sprinkles are optional but add fun and texture.
How Do I Get Soft Cookies with the Perfect Chewy Texture?
Soft, chewy cookies come from the right balance of ingredients and baking time. Here’s how to nail it:
- Make sure butter is softened, not melted. Cream it well with sugars for fluffy texture.
- Don’t overmix after adding flour; mix just until combined to keep cookies tender.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set but centers look slightly soft.
- Let cookies cool on the sheet 5 minutes before moving; this helps them firm up while staying soft inside.
- Adding frosting after cooling prevents it from melting and keeps the cookies moist.
These steps help you get cookies that are soft, chewy, and packed with fun Oreo and M&M flavors perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Baking sheets – essential for evenly baking your cookies without burning the bottoms.
- Parchment paper – helps prevent cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Mixing bowls – you’ll need one for wet ingredients and one for dry; makes mixing easier and neater.
- Hand mixer or stand mixer – speeds up creaming the butter and sugar for a smooth dough.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient amounts to get perfect cookie texture.
- Spatula or wooden spoon – great for folding in Oreos and M&M’s gently.
- Wire cooling rack – lets cookies cool evenly and prevents sogginess.
- Butter knife or offset spatula – useful for spreading frosting neatly on cookies.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap pink frosting for chocolate ganache if you prefer a richer topping that pairs well with Oreos.
- Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
- Use white chocolate chips instead of M&M’s for a creamier chocolate taste.
- Mix in dried cranberries or cherries to add a tart contrast to the sweet cookies, great for Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup mini Oreo cookies, halved or quartered (heart-shaped if available)
- 1 cup Valentine’s Day themed M&M’s (heart-shaped and pink/red/white varieties)
For Decorating:
- Pink frosting (homemade or store-bought)
- Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles (pink, red, and white jimmies and nonpareils)
Time You’ll Need:
You will spend about 15 minutes preparing the dough and decorating the cookies. Baking takes around 10-12 minutes, and cooling will take an additional 10-15 minutes. Altogether, plan about 40 minutes from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare for Baking:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, combining just until everything is mixed.
Next, gently fold in the chopped mini Oreo cookies and half of the Valentine’s M&M’s, saving the rest of the M&M’s for decorating later.
3. Bake the Cookies:
Drop rounded spoonfuls (about 2 tablespoons each) of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give the cookies room to spread.
Bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the center is still soft. Once done, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Decorate Your Cookies:
When the cookies are completely cool, spread a thin layer of pink frosting on each one. Top with whole Oreo hearts or halves, the remaining heart-shaped M&M’s, and a sprinkle of Valentine-themed jimmies and nonpareils to make them look festive and fun.
Allow the frosting to set a little before serving or storing the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Enjoy sharing these festive, colorful Valentine’s Day Oreo M&M’s Cookies with family and friends as a sweet and joyful treat!
Can I Use Regular Oreos Instead of Mini Ones?
Yes! Simply chop regular Oreos into smaller pieces to mimic the mini size. It works just as well and still gives that classic Oreo flavor throughout the cookies.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them without frosting and decorate after thawing.
Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Decorate the cookies after they’re fully cooled to prevent the frosting from melting.
What Can I Substitute If I Don’t Have Valentine’s Day Themed M&M’s?
No worries! Regular M&M’s or chocolate chips in similar colors (red, pink, white) work great. You can also mix in other candy pieces or sprinkles for a festive touch.
