These flourless M&M cookies are made with cashew butter, almond flour, coconut flour, and brown sugar. Inspired by our other flourless cookies, they are chewy and absolutely delicious.
![M&m cookies on a cooling rack.](static/picture/Flourless-Santa-Cookies-07-683x1024.jpg)
These flourless M&M cookies are an updated recipe that originated in 2017. The new an improved recipe is based on our popular flourless chocolate chip cookies. We like to make these around the holidays and use red and green M&Ms, but you can really make them any time of year with any color M&Ms.
What is In Flourless M&M Cookies?
These cookies are made with cashew butter, eggs, fine almond flour, and a little bit of coconut flour. They are sweetened with brown sugar and a little bit of vanilla. Other than that, you need M&M!
![Christmas cookie ingredients on a white marble table.](static/picture/Flourless-Santa-Cookies-11-683x1024.jpg)
Substitutions & Variations
We tested this recipe with both almond butter and cashew butter. Both types of nut butter will work, just know the flavor will vary by what nut butter is used.
We do not recommend substituting any flour for the almond flour and coconut flour. It is a unique blend and works for this cookie!
If you don’t have M&Ms on hand, chocolate chips will work, too.
![M & m cookies on a baking sheet with green and red m & m's.](https://fitfoodiefinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Flourless-Santa-Cookies-08-683x1024.jpg)
Tips for Flourless M&M Cookies
- If your cookies are spreading too much, refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes.
- These cookies spread, so be aware of the placement of the cookie dough on the sheet pan.
- For this recipe to work, the consistency of your almond butter must be drippy. The consistency of the dough should be like classic cookie dough. If it’s not, you can add a tablespoon or two of coconut oil and that should do the trick!
![Christmas cookies on a plate with green and red m&ms.](https://fitfoodiefinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Flourless-Santa-Cookies-05-683x1024.jpg)
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Let these cookies cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Be sure the M&Ms are cooled before stacking them.
Freezing instructions: Once the cookies have cooled place them into a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
![A pile of cookies with m & m's on top.](https://fitfoodiefinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Flourless-Santa-Cookies-03-683x1024.jpg)
What to Serve with Flourless M&M Cookies
These cookies are best served alongside other delicious cookies. We recommend pairing these with soft gingerbread cookies, maple sugar cookies, or chocolate crinkle cookies.
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![Christmas cookies with m&ms on a cooling rack.](static/picture/Flourless-Santa-Cookies-12-550x550.jpg)
Flourless M&M Cookies
Ingredients
Wet
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar packed (option to use coconut sugar*)
- 1/2 cup drippy all-natural, drippy almond butter* (we recommend Good and Gather)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
Dry
- 1/2 cup finely ground blanched almond flour we recommend Bob’s Red Mill or the Kirkland Brand
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup plain M&Ms plus more for topping
- coarse sea salt for topping
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add the brown sugar, almond butter, and vanilla to a bowl and mix until combined. Add the egg and mix again.
- Then, add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix until there are no white spots of flour. Add the melted coconut oil and mix again. Your dough should be similar to classic cookie dough. If it feels too dry, add 1 more tablespoon of melted coconut oil. If it feels a little too wet, you can add 1-2 more tablespoons of almond flour.
- Use a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop dough into your hands. Roll it into a ball and slightly flatten it. Then, place it onto the baking sheet. These cookies will expand, so I like to do 8 per cookie sheet. Repeat until all the dough is gone.
- Add additional M&Ms (if you love chocolate) to the tops of each cookie and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake at 350ºF for 10-13 minutes, or until the cookies begin to turn golden brown on the outsides.
- Let the cookies sit on the hot baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them from the baking sheet to a cooling rack and let them cool for at least an hour before eating. As the cookies cool, they will firm up, so be sure to let this process happen.
- Storage: let the cookies cool completely before storing them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Tips & Notes
- If you are baking at altitude, the cook time may vary.
- The almond butter can be replaced with peanut butter or cashew butter, but the taste of the cookie will be different.
- For this recipe to work, the consistency of your almond butter must be drippy. The consistency of the dough should be like classic cookie dough. If it’s not, you can add a tablespoon or two of coconut oil and that should do the trick!
- If you use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, you are more likely to need to use coconut oil as it absorbs more fat than brown sugar.*
- Do note that this variation will spread out more than the cookies with coconut flour, so make sure to only do 8 cookies per sheet! These cookies will come out with a chewier texture.
- If your cookies are spreading too much, refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes.
- These cookies spread, so be aware of the placement of the cookie dough on the sheet pan.
Your recipe for healthier M&M cookies is a delightful twist! Santa will love these guilt-free treats. Can’t wait to bake them and enjoy the festive flavors.
The recipe is not good. You have to check the ingredients en rewrite it….The measurements are not good.
So sorry to hear it, Olivia! We love this cookies.
I’m not a big fan of cookie but this santa cookie is looking amazing.
I’m foodie and i love to this santa cookie.
really nice sharing, I love this because I’m Cookie Lover
nice post keep it up!
Many colors are eye-catching. The kids must have loved them. This blue and red color is perfect for the Christmas season. Quite creative. It must taste really good.
Yummy and easy cookie recipe! They’re super easy with a stand mixer, and they have a nice soft texture. I had to bake mine for 16 minutes, although I just eyeballed the size when I was forming the cookies, they may have been bigger than the recipe instructs. I also live at a higher altitude.
There is far too much butter in this recipe for this to be “healthy”
Not to mention, the large amount of butter makes for a really sticky batter that spread far too much and makes for nothing but butter flavor in the cookie
I would recommend editing your instructions. One of the instructions is to combine all dry ingredients, but you fail to mention NOT the brown sugar. You also instruct to pre-heat the over but the dough sits in the fridge for 30 minutes. There’s no reason to preheat the oven and let it run for 30 minutes.
If by Santa you mean me, then yes.