25 Days of Treats: M&M Cookies

This is a recipe from my mother-in-law, who is pretty amazing when it comes to the kitchen. As you read this blog, you will see a lot of my favorite recipes come from her. This is actually one of my favorite cookie recipes, and I cannot believe it took me almost six years of marriage to ask her for it! I have had the recipe for 6 months, and I think I have made these cookies at least 12 different times.

This cookie recipe also brings back memories in a different sort of way. Growing up my mom loved m&m's (okay, she still does). So, for every holiday we would have some kind of dish or bowl throughout the holiday season filled with whatever m&m's would match that holiday (green and red for Christmas, pastel for Easter, etc).  I remember my friends would come over and be like, "don't you just want to sit around at eat them all day?" Now that I have my own home I have done the same thing, and I still have friends come over and ask me the same question. I was not born with a sweet tooth, so the M&M's literally just sit there until my kids have snuck them all away. So, since it is not very practical to have them out, especially with little kids around, I am glad I can recreate that memory in cookie form.

M&M Cookies

1 c. shortening

1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

½ c. granulated sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 ¾ c. sifted flour (may need a bit more)

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 ½ c. plain milk chocolate M&M’s

Beat together shortening and sugars. Beat in vanilla and eggs.

Sift dry ingredients together and add to sugar mixture. Mix in

¾ c.  of M&M’s.  Spoon cookie dough onto baking sheet and top

each mound of dough with 3 or 4  M&M’s.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 min., or until lightly browned on the edge.

To make them even better, I often use dark chocolate m&m's. Also, I have made them with recees pieces... yah, seriously the best idea I have ever had.