Crumbl Copycat: Valentine’s M&M Cookies – A Sweetheart’s Delight!

Recipes Italian Chef

Crumbl Copycat: Valentine’s M&M Cookies – A Sweetheart’s Delight!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to express your love than with homemade cookies? These Crumbl copycat Valentine’s M&M cookies are not only visually stunning but also incredibly delicious. They’re soft, chewy, and packed with colorful M&Ms, making them the perfect treat for your loved ones (or yourself!). This recipe meticulously recreates the beloved Crumbl cookie, providing a step-by-step guide to ensure your baking success. Get ready to spread the love with these irresistible cookies!

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is designed to mimic the texture and flavor of the Crumbl Valentine’s M&M cookie as closely as possible. Here’s why it works:

* **Butter and Shortening Combination:** Using both butter and shortening creates a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Butter provides a rich, buttery taste, while shortening contributes to the cookie’s soft and chewy interior and helps prevent spreading during baking.
* **Cake Flour:** The addition of cake flour makes the cookies incredibly soft and tender. Cake flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour, resulting in a more delicate crumb.
* **Cornstarch:** Cornstarch acts as a binding agent and helps to create a slightly chewy texture. It also helps to prevent the cookies from becoming too crispy.
* **Chilling the Dough:** Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more flavorful cookie.
* **Specific Baking Temperature and Time:** Baking the cookies at a specific temperature and for a precise amount of time ensures that they are perfectly cooked – soft in the center and slightly crispy around the edges.
* **M&Ms Placement:** Pressing extra M&Ms into the tops of the cookies after baking not only makes them look beautiful but also ensures that you get a burst of chocolatey goodness in every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start baking, gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

* **For the Cookies:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* ½ cup shortening
* 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
* ½ cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* ½ cup cake flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 cup Valentine’s Day M&Ms, plus extra for topping

* **For the Frosting (Optional):**
* ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 3 cups powdered sugar
* 2-4 tablespoons milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Pink food coloring (optional)

Equipment You’ll Need

* Stand mixer or hand mixer
* Large mixing bowl
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Baking sheets
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
* Cookie scoop (optional)
* Wire rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create your own batch of delicious Valentine’s M&M cookies:

Step 1: Cream Together Butter, Shortening, and Sugars

1. In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the dough, which will result in a lighter, more tender cookie.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

1. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure that everything is evenly incorporated. This helps to prevent pockets of unincorporated ingredients in your dough.
2. Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Whisking the dry ingredients together ensures that they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 4: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients

1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a less tender cookie.

Step 5: Fold in M&Ms

1. Gently fold in 1 cup of Valentine’s Day M&Ms. Make sure the M&Ms are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

1. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Step 7: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Step 8: Scoop and Shape the Dough

1. Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form the dough into balls. Each ball should be about 3 tablespoons in size. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Step 9: Bake the Cookies

1. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still soft. Keep a close eye on the cookies to prevent them from overbaking.

Step 10: Add Extra M&Ms

1. Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press extra Valentine’s Day M&Ms into the tops of the cookies. This not only makes them look beautiful but also ensures that you get a burst of chocolatey goodness in every bite.

Step 11: Cool the Cookies

1. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 12: Make the Frosting (Optional)

1. While the cookies are cooling, you can prepare the optional frosting. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the milk and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth. If desired, add a drop or two of pink food coloring to tint the frosting.

Step 13: Frost the Cookies (Optional)

1. Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them with the prepared frosting. You can use a knife, a spatula, or a piping bag to frost the cookies.

Step 14: Decorate the Cookies (Optional)

1. If desired, decorate the frosted cookies with extra M&Ms or sprinkles.

Step 15: Enjoy!

1. Enjoy your homemade Valentine’s M&M cookies with your loved ones!

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Cookies

* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal mixing and a smoother dough.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Chill the Dough:** Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also allows the flavors to meld together.
* **Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats:** This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
* **Don’t Overbake the Cookies:** Overbaking will result in dry, crispy cookies. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still soft.
* **Press Extra M&Ms into the Tops:** This makes the cookies look beautiful and ensures that you get a burst of chocolatey goodness in every bite.
* **Store the Cookies Properly:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Variations and Substitutions

* **Different M&Ms:** Use different types of M&Ms, such as peanut M&Ms, pretzel M&Ms, or dark chocolate M&Ms.
* **Chocolate Chips:** Add chocolate chips to the dough for an even richer chocolate flavor.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the dough for added texture and flavor.
* **Extracts:** Experiment with different extracts, such as almond extract or peppermint extract, to change the flavor of the cookies.
* **Gluten-Free:** Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make gluten-free cookies.
* **Vegan:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter, the eggs with flax eggs, and use vegan M&Ms to make vegan cookies.

Serving Suggestions

* **Enjoy them as is:** These cookies are delicious on their own and perfect for a sweet treat.
* **Pair them with milk:** Serve the cookies with a glass of cold milk for a classic combination.
* **Add them to a dessert platter:** Include these cookies on a Valentine’s Day dessert platter along with other treats like brownies, cupcakes, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
* **Give them as gifts:** Package the cookies in a cute box or bag and give them as gifts to your loved ones.
* **Use them in ice cream sandwiches:** Sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for a delicious ice cream sandwich.

Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Freezer:** For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw the cookies at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 250-300 per cookie (depending on size and ingredients)
* Fat: 12-15 grams
* Saturated Fat: 7-9 grams
* Cholesterol: 30-40 mg
* Sodium: 100-150 mg
* Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams
* Sugar: 20-25 grams
* Protein: 2-3 grams

Conclusion

These Crumbl copycat Valentine’s M&M cookies are a delightful treat that’s perfect for celebrating love and spreading joy. With their soft, chewy texture, vibrant colors, and chocolatey goodness, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone. Follow this recipe carefully, and you’ll be rewarded with a batch of irresistible cookies that rival the original Crumbl version. Happy baking and Happy Valentine’s Day!

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