Do you ever create a little something that you just CAN’T WAIT to share? It actually happens to me quite often. The other day I made these Valentine Chocolate Chip Cookies that are just to die for!!! I have been playing with my chocolate chip cookie recipes for a while trying to create the “perfect”cookie. My first round I made of these particular Valentine cookies took nearly all my valentine M&M’s & they didn’t turn out photo worthy. They tasted great – but they weren’t the whole package if you know what I mean. The perfect cookie to me has to have it all. Chewy, soft with a little crisp on the edges, perfectly golden & just the right amount of puff without being cakey. This batch is 100% all of those things. I think I have finally create “THE” recipe & I’m so thrilled to share it with you all.
These are INCREDIBLE! All the things I listed above & then the cute little Valentine colors – swoon.
They keep well- like 2 days later they were still soft. I can’t tell you beyond that because they didn’t last that long.
I mean, I’m pretty picky about cookies. I like them fresh – like still hot fresh.
Then through that evening I may have a couple more. Beyond that- I rarely indulge because the freshness is gone.
I like that crunch of the M&M when it’s still melty inside. Once it firms up – it’s not as enjoyable for me.
These were so good – I didn’t even notice that the M&M’s had firmed back up inside.
I had a hard time walking away from the bowl.
That was when I knew this could be THE ONE recipe that I abandon all others for.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter - room temperature
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg- room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (scooped lightly - not spooned into your measuring cup- just don't pack it in there firmly)
- 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding - not cook & serve
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + more for after baking
- 1 cup white chocolate chips + more for after baking
- 1 cup Valentine M&M's - divided
Instructions
- In mixer bowl - beat butter, margarine, sugar & brown sugar together until fluffy
- Add egg & vanilla - beat well
- Add in flour, pudding mix, baking soda & salt - slowly stir first & then beat until all ingredients are completely incorporated.
- Slowly stir in chocolate & white chocolate chips
- Fold in 1/2 the M&M's
- Remove beater, cover & refrigerate overnight (extremely important that you do this)
- The next day preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Roll dough into balls - it will be firm & you will need to press it all together
- Place dough balls on baking sheet & bake cookies for 9-12 minutes (mine were perfect at 11)
- Remove & immediately top each cookie with a few extra chocolate chips, white chocolate chips & M&M's before they cool.
- Leave cookies on baking sheet to cool
- Repeat this process with remaining cookies.
- I used 3 - 3/4 baking sheets for all these cookies. It's important to not place dough on a hot cookie sheet. Start with a cold cookie sheet with each batch to ensure that the cookies bake consistently.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature
Looking for more Valentine Ideas?
Whimsical Marbled Valentine Cookies
To see where I am linking today- visit HERE
Those look so pretty and tasty!
They look amazing Gina! Pinning!
I’ve already pinned! Can’t wait to make these. They are so festive, too!
Thanks SO much for sharing at our party! They look delicious, Gina! I will have to pick up this valentines chipits! 🙂
These looks sooooo good! Thanks for sharing! Visiting from Your Turn to Shine Party!
Drooling. What a fun, yummy treat!
Yummy! Thank you for sharing on Show Me Saturday!
Looks amazing!
Pinning and sharing on FB! YUM!
Oh so good Desi – thank you
I get that feeling of wanting to share something asap, but what about wanting to make something asap, like these cookies! They look really soft which I must have in a cookie, and I know my cookie monster husband would devour them asap!
Hi, Gina! How cute are these cookies? 1 question, though: both butter and margarine are listed in the ingredients, but only butter is mentioned in the directions. Just wanted to make sure that both are used. Thanks!
My kids thoroughly enjoy M&Ms, so I guess if I make these I’ll get the mommy of Valentine’s Day award. Hmmmm…tempting…may just have to do that!
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Mondays!