Fudgy, chewy brownie-mix cookies made from a box of Betty Crocker brownie mix and festive red and green M&Ms are a quick, crowd-pleasing Christmas cookie. This simple recipe comes together in about 20 minutes and delivers soft, fudgy centers with slightly chewy edges—perfect for holiday cookie plates or last-minute parties.
Why You’ll Love These Brownie Mix Cookies
This recipe is ideal when you want a fast, reliable cookie without making brownies from scratch. Using a boxed brownie mix keeps the base fudgy and chocolatey while simple pantry additions—eggs, oil, a bit of flour and vanilla—help the dough hold together as cookies. Swap the red and green M&Ms for other colors or mix-ins (white chocolate chips, nuts, peanut butter chips) to adapt the cookies for any holiday or occasion.
Ingredients
Below are the ingredients used in this version of the recipe. For precise measurements and yield, see the recipe card section.
- 1 box brownie mix (15–18 oz / about 440 g recommended)
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup canola oil (or any neutral vegetable oil)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup M&Ms (use holiday colors for a festive look)
Recipe At-a-Glance
Yield: about 30 cookies
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Total time: about 17 minutes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or use silicone baking mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the boxed brownie mix, eggs, oil, flour and vanilla. Stir until a thick, fudgy dough forms.
- Fold in the M&Ms gently so the dough stays dense.
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Do not flatten the dough; the cookies will spread slightly while baking.
- Bake 10–12 minutes, or until the centers are set but still soft. The tops should spring back slightly when touched—avoid baking until fully firm to keep a fudgy center.
- Immediately after removing from the oven, press a few extra M&Ms onto the top of each cookie for a decorative finish. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Brownie Mix Cookies
- If the dough seems too soft and your cookies spread too much while baking, add an extra tablespoon or two of flour until the dough is thick enough to form into small balls. Bake one test cookie if you’re unsure.
- To achieve a fudgy center with chewy edges, avoid overbaking. Pull the cookies out while they still look slightly underdone; they will finish setting as they cool.
- Use a cookie scoop for consistent sizing and even baking.
Substitutions & Notes
I used a 15 oz (440 g) box of Betty Crocker brownie mix with chocolate chunks for these cookies. If you can find an 18 oz box, that will work too. Other brands such as Ghirardelli will also work—just aim for a mix in the 15–18 oz range.
Variations
Customize the cookies by swapping or adding up to 1 cup of mix-ins:
- White or milk chocolate chips
- Mini peanut butter chips
- Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds)
- Holiday-colored M&Ms for different seasons (pink and red for Valentine’s, pastel for Easter)
For a dessert twist, serve a warm brownie cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce for a brownie cookie sundae.
Storage
Store cooled brownie cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, layer cookies with parchment paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any brand of brownie mix?
Yes—choose a boxed mix between 15 and 18 ounces. Different brands may change texture slightly but will still produce a fudgy cookie.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
The dough may be too soft. Add a little more flour until the dough holds its shape. Chilled dough will spread less.
Can these cookies be frozen?
Yes. Freeze baked cookies layered with parchment paper in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Final Notes
These brownie-mix cookies are an easy, festive treat that’s perfect for holiday parties, bake sales, or a quick weeknight dessert. They are quick to prepare, easy to customize, and deliver the fudgy, chocolatey flavor everyone loves—without the fuss of making brownies from scratch.
