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WW Recipe: Skinny Holiday M&M Cookies
I’ve been making Holiday M&M Cookies since I was a kid. After all these years it wouldn’t be Christmas without them. This year I decided to give them a makeover. This simple recipe for skinny holiday m&m cookies is the result.
Instead of using my recipe for soft chewy low fat m&m cookies, which is good, I decided to experiment with a lighter recipe that wouldn’t require me to dig out the food processor (affiliate link).
Ingredients
- Butter – I used half as much butter as the original recipe calls for to lower the fat and calories in these skinny holiday cookies, while still retaining delicious traditional flavor.
- Sugar – I cut back on the sugar a bit to keep these cookies lighter. You could also try substituting your favorite non-calorie sweetener for baking. I like Truvia Baking Blend (affiliate link).
- Light brown sugar – I cut back on the brown sugar a bit to keep these cookies lighter but still sweet and chewy. You could also try substituting your favorite non-calorie brown sugar sweetener to lower the sugar, calories and WW Points more.
- Egg – Helps to bind the cookies providing structure during baking.
- Milk – Adds additional moisture to the cookie dough.
- Vanilla – Adds flavor and enhances flavors of the other ingredients.
- All-purpose flour – While I opted for AP flour you could make these a bit more wholesome by using whole wheat pastry flour instead. You may need to add a little more milk to the dough, as whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture.
- Baking soda – Provides leavening to these cookies.
- Salt – An important ingredient in baking to enhances and balance flavors.
- Mini M&M baking bits – A great alternative to regular size m&ms when making lighter healthier cookies because you can still get the flavor with a lesser amount.
Holiday M&M Cookies Recipe Notes
This recipe uses half the butter and less sugar than the traditional M&M Cookies recipe but is just as delicious. I also used mini holiday m&m baking bits, which are much tinier than regular m&ms, so I was able to use less. The cookies baked up crisp and chewy.
For best results you’ll want to chill the dough at least an hour or overnight.
How Many Calories and WeightWatchers Points in these Cookies?
According to my calculations each cookie has 71 calories.To see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app, Click here! (You must be logged into the WW App on your smartphone or tablet.)
2 *PointsPlus (Old WW Plan)
If you’ve made these Holiday Cookies, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Skinny Holiday M&M Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup mini M&M baking bits
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl (affiliate link), beat the butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, milk and vanilla and beat until creamy and well blended.
- In another bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt until combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat just until combined. Stir in the M&M baking bits.
- Chill the dough for at least an hour, or overnight.
- When you are ready to bake, position a rack in the center of your oven and heat the oven to 375F degrees.
- Lightly grease cookie sheets with non-stick spray. Drop tablespoonfuls of dough, spaced at least 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheets.
- Bake on the center rack for 9 to 11 minutes, or until they look dull on the surface but are still moist and soft and are just slightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let rest on the cookie sheet for 2 to 3 minutes and then transfer them with a thin spatula to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Holiday Cookies for WeightWatchers
- WW Mint Chocolate Bars
- Easy Italian Sesame Seed Cookies
- Old-Fashioned Wheaties Cherry Blinks
- WW Friendly Crackle Spice Drops
Articles & Tips for WeightWatchers
- A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the WeightWatchers Program
- A Comprehensive List of Articles & Tips for WeightWatchers
- What Foods Should I Eat in a Day on WeightWatchers
- WeightWatchers Zero Points Foods List
- WeightWatchers Friendly Meal Plans
- Why We Are More Motivated the Closer We Get to Our Goals – Another powerful WW Weekly Workshop Topic.
Hi.
While this recipe looks great, I haven’t made it yet as I don’t see how many total cookies the recipe makes; therefore, I can’t determine if I’m making each cookie to be 3 points.
Thanks for info and If I missed where you say how many total cookies the recipe makes then my apologies.
Take Care and thanks for all the great recipes you share!!
Hi Brenda,
The information you’re looking for is in the recipe card. The recipe should make 48 cookies. Hope this helps. ~Martha
Hi,
I tried your recipe but the dough was very crumbly and would not pack into balls. I’m not sure what I did wrong? Any suggestions or is there something I should add more of to the dough? I did leave it in the fridge overnight too.
Thank you!
Hi Kelly, It’s hard to know what happened from a distance. My guess is too much flour. It’s important to fluff the flour well and lightly spoon it into the cup and then level it off, not pack it in. I’d suggest adding a little milk a tablespoon at a time just until the dough holds together. Hope this helps. ~Martha
Many recipes using all purpose flour call for baking soda and salt. Should this recipe also need salt?
Hi Judy, yes, I’ve added the salt. Thanks for letting me know. ~Martha
How many cookies does this recipe make?
Hi Kim, The recipe indicates that it makes 48 cookies. ~Martha
Do the cookies come out thin and chewy?
I’d call them thinnish, crisp/chewy.
This recipe can be used anytime of the year just using the multi colors of the M & M’s , Thank you and I am going to try it…. Been looking for less sugar …. It is my weakness….
You are so right Colleen. I’ve made them for Easter with pastel M&Ms! Enjoy!!
Do you use regular or unsalted butter?
I use regular butter, Jessica.