Peanut butter and vanilla cake mix come together for an easy soft, delicious cookie sure to please the holiday crowd and Santa!

To quote Norman Vincent Peale, "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." And I would add, far more innocent. That terrible 'race of the rats' fades into the background, and a world bedecked in colored lights and holly gradually comes to the fore, slowly brought into focus through the chaotic haze of daily life. We dream sentimental dreams of a Savior's birth, and of the welcomed warmth of icy winter nights draped in the season's purest white.
In reality, this brief escape is what this season is all about. We reimagine our cities, and our own homes, into images easily plucked from a fireside film noir treasure. Then, of course, we tell vague tales to our children of a Living Saint who…creeps into our homes, eats our cookies, and then leaves behind gift wrapped toys of uncertain origin.
While that last part might need adjustment, I suppose that bit of 'suspension of disbelief' is part of that aforementioned innocence.
For this reason, when one of my niece's daughters asked for a 'special' recipe for cookies that she could in turn prepare for Santa Claus, naturally, I simply had to comply.
What I prepared was a batch of M&M's® Christmas Peanut Butter Cookies.
To do this, we start with a simple base of a yellow cake mix, a peanut butter cookie mix, and eggs. For this particular recipe I like to use plain milk chocolate M&M's®, however, you can really kick things up a notch using M&M's® Christmas White Chocolate Peppermint.
To start out, combine the two box mixes with eggs, water, and vegetable oil as shown below. Mix these well, then add in the M&M's®, and stir again. After that's done, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and form the cookies onto the sheets as shown below. Then simply bake for about twelve minutes, and you've got a batch of M&M's® Christmas Cookies that the 'Seasonal Reverse Burglar' is sure to love.
Peanut Butter Vanilla Cookies
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 dozen 1x
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 oz) box of yellow cake mix
- 1 (17.5 oz) peanut butter cookie mix
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 plus 3 tbs. vegetable oil
- 3 tbs. water
- 3/4 cup M&M’s®
Instructions
- Preheat Oven 350 degrees F.:
- In a large bowl combine the eggs, vegetable oil, yellow cake mix, cookie mix and water. Stir these ingredients until well incorporated. Add the M & M’s and stir again.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and drop the cookies on the cookie sheet by the teaspoonful.
- Do not over crowd the pan.
- Bake 10 – 12 minutes or until slightly golden.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
What are some of your favorite holiday confections? We would love to hear from you.
Don't forget to follow along with M&M's® on:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Enjoy with Love!









manu says
Thanks for sharing these delicious cookies.
Wishing you Merry Chrstmas
Louise says
Hello Catherine,
I see you are still serving up festive recipes with your special touch. This one is especially easy. Perfect for this time of year:) Thank you so much for sharing...
As you know Catherine, I haven't been blogging as of late. Although, I did do an update to my blog last night. If you get a chance drop by for the latest.
Please thank Tammy for her kind words. It has been wonderful getting to know you and your family these past years Catherine. Blogging has been quite the journey and yet, our world feels smaller. I wish you and yours a Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Safe & especially Healthy New Year. Hold everyone close and give them double hugs! Be well, Catherine...
jamie says
My hubby loves peanut butter cookies, i bet he would be all over these!
kallee says
I always love a good peanut butter cookie and this one looks fantastic.
Theresa Sutton says
I have never thought about this combination before. Peanut butter and vanilla sounds amazing.
Jolina says
I love this season. And these cookies! They look perfect. Santa would love them 🙂
Lori Vachon says
Two of my favorites together, I know I couldn't pass up a few of these!
Emily says
Love that these are peanut butter! I have such a sweet tooth and treats like this do not help the situation.