Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Christmas M&M’s Vanilla Pudding Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/3 cups flour
1 small box (3.4 oz) vanilla instant pudding mix
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup chocolate chips
1 bag (11 oz) Christmas mini baking M&M’s (**reserve ¼ cup)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set aside ¼ cup of the mini M&M’s to press into cookies before baking.

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract on low speed. Add flour, dry pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low speed until just combined. Mix in chocolate chips. Add M&M’s and mix gently mix to avoid crushing them.

Use a level medium cookie scoop to drop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets. Press 3-4 of the reserved M&M’s  into the top of each dough ball. Bake cookies for 8-9 minutes. Do not overbake. Cook 2 minutes on baking sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 2 ½ dozen

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