Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Step 1: Brown the Butter and Prepare Your Workspace
- In a light-colored saucepan, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams, and golden-brown flecks appear at the bottom, releasing a fragrant, nutty aroma. Immediately pour the browned butter into a heatproof bowl and let it cool completely to room temperature.
- Once your browned butter is cooled, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled browned butter with 1 cup of light brown sugar (packed) and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream these together for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is beautifully creamy and fluffy. Add the 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, mixing just until they are combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold in Add-ins
- To the wet ingredients, add 3 cups of all-purpose flour (remember to spoon and level!), 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Mix on low speed just until the dry ingredients are combined and no streaks of flour remain.
- Gently fold in the 3/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of Valentine M&M’s.
Step 4: Scoop and Bake Your Cookies
- Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 Tablespoons), drop mounds of cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. For an extra festive touch, press a few more Valentine M&M’s or chocolate chips onto the tops of the cookie dough balls before baking.
- Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden brown and the centers still look slightly soft and gooey. As soon as they come out of the oven, if you desire perfect circles, gently use the back of a spatula or a round cookie cutter to press in the edges of the warm cookies.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
- Allow the Festive Valentine M&M Cookies to set on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Notes
For the best results, use the spoon and level method for flour and avoid overmixing. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes can further enhance flavor and texture. Don't overbake; cookies should be slightly soft in the center when removed from the oven. Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.