Gourmet M&M and Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies

Gourmet M&M and Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies

Courtesy of mysweetmission.com with one minor adjustment, this may be my favorite cookie recipe of all time!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
½ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups unbleached or all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
10.8 ounces (1 bag) M&M’S milk chocolate candies, reserve 1/4 cup
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat an oven to 360 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugars, and salt. Mix on low speed for about a minute, then on medium speed for another minute.
Add the eggs & vanilla extract. Mix on low until the eggs are blended in, then at medium speed for a minute and then on high speed for an additional minute. The mixture should be a pale yellow color and very fluffy.
Add the first cup of flour, along with the baking powder and baking soda. Then add the remainder of the flour a cup at a time.
Mix in the M&M’S® mini milk chocolate candies on low speed, reserving 1/4 cup for the tops.
Using a 2-ounce cookie scooper, place dough on ungreased baking sheets about 2″ apart. Place a few M&M’S mini milk chocolate candies on the tops where needed.
Bake in a preheated oven for 11-12 minutes, or until the tops start to crackle and the cookies are light golden brown.

Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Notes:
Adding the baking powder and soda with the first cup of flour will insure the small ingredients are incorporated well, and eliminates the need to sift the dry ingredients together.
Check both sides of the dough and place the side with the most candies facing up.
For crispier cookies; press the dough balls down a little before baking.
Store in an airtight container. These cookies also freeze well.