Name: Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 31 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg; 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix (not sugar free); 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour; 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles (or any colors); 3/4 cup Christmas M&Ms (or any color of M&M)

Nothing quite says holiday cheer like the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked treats. That’s why I’m excited to share this cozy, festive Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe with you! These soft, pillowy cookies are not only bursting with brown sugar goodness but also loaded with colorful Christmas candies that make every bite feel like a winter celebration.

A white plate full of round cookies stacked slightly on top of each other, each cookie light golden brown with a soft texture, decorated with red and green candy-coated chocolate pieces, white and dark chocolate chips, and red, green, and white sprinkles scattered across the surface. Around the plate, more candy pieces and festively colored ornaments are placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, a white bowl with red stripes is filled with red and green candy-coated chocolates. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely smitten with this Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive fun. Plus, I love how the pudding mix adds a subtle richness that keeps these cookies irresistibly tender, even days later.

Soft, pillowy texture: The secret pudding mix keeps these cookies unbelievably tender and chewy.
Festive fun in every bite: Red and green sprinkles plus Christmas M&Ms add that joyful holiday pop.
Easy to prepare: Straightforward steps and common pantry ingredients make it a stress-free treat.
Perfect make-ahead cookie dough: Chilling the dough helps the flavors develop and makes baking a breeze on the big day.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe relies on simple ingredients that each add their own special touch. From the richness of butter to the magic of instant pudding, every component plays a role in creating that perfect holiday treat.

Flat lay of a small square of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with packed brown sugar, a whole clean large egg with a smooth shell, a small white ceramic bowl containing bright red and green round sprinkles, a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful Christmas M&Ms, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white salt, and a small white ceramic bowl with light amber vanilla extract placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter offers creamy richness and helps create that tender crumb.
Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar brings depth and subtle molasses flavor that’s quintessentially warm.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture to the dough.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: The star ingredient for softness and chew – it’s a game-changer in cookies.
Baking Soda: Gives just enough lift to keep cookies light without puffing up too much.
Salt: Balances all the sweetness and enhances flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The body of your cookie; using the right amount keeps your cookies tender but stable.
Red and Green Sprinkles: Gives those cheerful holiday colors that instantly brighten up the batch.
Christmas M&Ms: Adds melty, colorful candy bites with a bit of chocolate crunch.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe is how easily it adapts to your style and preferences. I often tweak it based on the occasion or what candies I have on hand, and you can too!

Variation: I once swapped out the Christmas M&Ms for crushed peppermint candies to add a refreshing twist – it was a hit with friends who prefer minty treats.
Dietary Modifications: For a gluten-free version, I recommend using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend; just check the pudding mix for gluten-free certification.
Color Fun: Feel free to mix up sprinkles and candies to match any holiday theme or birthday party colors.
Extra Chewy: Try adding an extra egg yolk for an extra moist and chewy cookie texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe

A group of round cookies spread out on a white marbled surface, each cookie golden brown with a slightly crispy edge and soft center. The cookies are decorated with colorful red and green candy-coated chocolates embedded on top, along with white and dark chocolate chips scattered throughout. Festive red, green, and white sprinkles add texture and color, spread evenly across the cookies and scattered around them. The cookies have a slightly bumpy texture showing the mix of chips and candies in the dough. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

Start by softening your butter to room temperature – it should be soft enough to press your finger into but not melted. I love using my stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment here. Beat the butter and packed brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This step is crucial because creaming aerates the mixture, giving your cookies some lift and tenderness.

Step 2: Adding Egg and Vanilla

Next, crack in the egg along with the vanilla extract. Blend these until the dough turns smooth and glossy. The egg adds moisture while vanilla rounds out those warm, comforting notes that scream holiday baking.

Step 3: Incorporating the Pudding Mix and Dry Ingredients

Sprinkle in the instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined. Then, gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until you have a soft, cohesive dough. This pudding mix is what makes these cookies so uniquely soft and chewy – trust me, it’s worth the few extra minutes to include it.

Step 4: Stir in Sprinkles and M&Ms

Now for the fun part: folding in the red and green sprinkles and those festive M&Ms. This adds bursts of color and a little crunch that makes every bite joyful. Be gentle when folding so the candy shells don’t break up too much, keeping that pretty color intact.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

This step sets these cookies apart: scoop 2-tablespoon balls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. You don’t have to space them since you’ll chill the dough. Cover everything tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and allowing flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Now place the chilled dough balls 2 inches apart on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, watching closely—the edges should just start to turn a light golden brown. Don’t overbake if you want soft, tender cookies. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Top Tip

Over time, I’ve learned some valuable tricks with this Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe that make all the difference between good cookies and truly unforgettable ones.

Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough isn’t just for convenience—it helps control spread during baking and intensifies the flavors.
Use Room Temp Ingredients: Your butter and egg should be room temperature for smooth mixing and better dough texture.
Watch Your Oven: Ovens vary, so start checking cookies at the 9-minute mark to catch that perfect golden edge without overbaking.
Handle the M&Ms Gently: Fold in candy last and lightly to keep the candy shells whole and beautiful.

How to Serve Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe

Christmas Brown Sugar Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I tend to keep garnishes simple—sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds a lovely snowy touch. For holiday gatherings, I’ve also sprinkled some extra festive sprinkles on warm cookies for a colorful, glittering finish.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine as a sweet treat alongside warm drinks like spiced hot cocoa, cinnamon-spiked coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. I’ve found pairing them with fruitcakes or nutty biscotti on a holiday dessert tray makes an irresistible spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive parties, I like arranging these Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe on decorative platters lined with holiday-themed napkins. You can also stack them with wax paper separators inside a clear cookie tin wrapped with a big red ribbon—makes a lovely homemade gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain that moisture, keeping them wonderfully tender.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully—either freeze the dough balls or fully baked cookies. Just wrap cookies tightly and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. When I’ve frozen the dough, I thaw it overnight in the fridge before baking fresh cookies straight from chilled dough.

Reheating

To bring frozen or stored cookies back to life, I pop a few in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a warm oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture and melts the M&Ms just slightly—so yummy!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use sugar-free pudding mix in this Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe?

I wouldn’t recommend sugar-free pudding mix because it can change the texture and sweetness balance of the cookies. The classic instant vanilla pudding mix gives these cookies their signature soft, chewy texture and a touch of sweetness that’s hard to replicate.

Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also allows the flavors to develop and results in a thicker, chewier texture. Trust me, letting the dough rest is well worth the wait!

Can I substitute different candies for the M&Ms?

Absolutely! You can swap out Christmas M&Ms for any similar-sized candies like mini chocolate chips, chopped candy canes, or even dried cranberries for a tart contrast. Just keep in mind candy size and melting properties.

How do I keep these cookies soft for days after baking?

Keeping cookies in an airtight container with a slice of fresh bread inside helps maintain moisture. Also, don’t overbake; pulling them from the oven as soon as edges brown keeps them soft and chewy.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Brown Sugar Pudding Cookies Recipe has become my go-to holiday favorite for sharing with family and friends because it’s both fun and reliably delicious. Every year, these cookies bring smiles and a feeling of warmth and togetherness that no store-bought cookie can match. I warmly encourage you to give this recipe a try—you might be surprised how easy it is to create holiday magic in your own kitchen!