Sure, let’s dive deeper into the process for making these Brownie Mix Christmas Cookies. Below, I’ll break it down into even more detail, from ingredient selection to technique tips, so you can ensure you get the perfect batch of cookies!
Ingredients Breakdown:
Here’s why each ingredient matters and how it contributes to your cookies:
- Fudge Brownie Mix (1 box, 18.4 oz):
- The brownie mix is the base of your dough, providing all the rich chocolate flavor and fudgy texture. It already has sugar, cocoa powder, and leavening agents in it, so you’re skipping a lot of steps compared to starting from scratch.
- If you prefer, you could swap it out for a homemade brownie mix, but the boxed kind makes these cookies a super quick and easy treat.
- All-Purpose Flour (⅓ cup):
- Flour helps provide structure to the cookies. Because you’re using brownie mix, the dough is naturally a bit soft and dense. The flour helps balance the texture and gives you that perfect cookie bite.
- Vegetable Oil (⅓ cup):
- Oil replaces some of the moisture and fat that you would get from butter in a traditional cookie recipe. It helps the cookies stay soft and chewy even after they cool.
- You can also experiment with other oils (like canola oil) or use melted butter for a richer flavor if you prefer.
- Eggs (2 large):
- Eggs act as the binding agent in the dough. They provide structure and help the cookies rise slightly while maintaining that soft, fudgy texture.
- Vanilla Extract (1 ½ teaspoons):
- Vanilla adds an extra layer of warmth and sweetness that complements the rich chocolate flavor from the brownie mix and chocolate chips.
- Chocolate Chips (½ cup, plus extra for topping):
- The semi-sweet chocolate chips give an extra bite of chocolate in every cookie. The extra topping of chocolate chips after baking enhances the cookie’s overall chocolate goodness and makes them look even more irresistible!
- Christmas M&M’s (½ cup, plus extra for topping):
- These festive M&M’s add a pop of color and sweetness. The candy coating also gives the cookies a slight crunch that contrasts with the soft, fudgy dough. If you can’t find Christmas M&M’s, use regular M&M’s, or even try peanut butter M&M’s for a new twist.
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheets
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C): Ensuring the oven is fully preheated guarantees that the cookies will bake evenly.
- Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper: This step is important for a non-stick surface and easy cleanup. You can also use a silicone baking mat for a reusable, non-stick surface.
Step 2: Mixing the Cookie Dough
- Combine the brownie mix, flour, eggs, and vegetable oil: The key to mixing is avoiding overmixing, as the brownie mix already contains leavening agents, so you don’t want to overwork the dough. Mix until everything is just combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Add the chocolate chips and M&M’s: When folding in the chocolate chips and M&M’s, don’t over-mix; just fold them in gently to maintain the cookie’s soft texture.
Step 3: Scooping the Dough
- Use a cookie scoop (1 ½ tablespoons): A cookie scoop is the best tool to ensure that all your cookies are the same size, which helps them bake evenly. If you don’t have a cookie scoop, use a tablespoon.
- Slightly flatten the dough: Press down on the dough scoops just a little with your fingers or the back of a spoon. This helps them spread evenly while baking. If you want thicker cookies, skip this step, but they will bake up a little puffier.
Step 4: Baking
- Bake for 8-10 minutes: Keep a close eye on the cookies. Since you’re working with brownie mix, they bake pretty quickly. You want the edges to set while the middle stays fudgy.
- Tip: To get the softest, chewiest cookies, it’s better to under-bake slightly rather than overbake.
Step 5: Topping and Cooling
- Press extra M&M’s and chocolate chips into the top of the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven. This gives your cookies a decorative touch and a little extra chocolate in every bite.
- Let them cool for 10-15 minutes: Allow the cookies to cool slightly before transferring them. They’ll firm up as they cool but will still maintain that gooey, fudgy texture.
Tips and Tricks:
- Don’t overbake: The key to achieving fudgy cookies is to pull them out of the oven just before they’re fully set. The cookies will continue to cook a little as they cool on the baking sheet, and you’ll get a soft, chewy texture.
- Flour measurements: Be sure to measure the flour correctly. Too much flour can make the cookies cakey instead of fudgy. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife for accuracy.
- Extra mix-ins: If you like your cookies with a little more crunch, consider adding chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or some crushed pretzels to the dough for a sweet-and-salty flavor combo.
- Holiday twist: To give these cookies an even more festive feel, sprinkle colored sugar crystals on top before baking, or drizzle them with white chocolate after they’ve cooled for extra sweetness.
Storage and Serving:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about 4-5 days.
- Freezing: You can also freeze the dough by scooping it into cookie-sized balls and storing it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, just adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
Why These Cookies Are Perfect:
- Quick and easy: Using brownie mix as a shortcut means you get delicious, fudgy cookies without a lot of work.
- Soft and chewy: They have the texture of brownies in cookie form.
- Festive and colorful: The M&M’s give these cookies a bright, cheerful vibe, perfect for holidays or any time you want a sweet treat.
Enjoy making and sharing these delightful Brownie Mix Christmas Cookies with friends and family!