Spring Blossom Shortbread with Cheerful Candy Drops

As Easter approaches, there’s no better way to infuse your home with festive cheer than with a batch of homemade cookies. These delightful Easter Shortbread Cookies with Mini M&Ms are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, perfect for celebrating the arrival of spring and the holiday season! Imagine sinking your teeth into a crisp, golden-brown shortbread, yielding a rich, buttery, and sweet flavor, perfectly complemented by bursts of colorful mini M&Ms. They are undeniably irresistible and incredibly simple to create, making them an ideal project for bakers of all skill levels.

This post may contain affiliate link(s). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure.

Delightful Easter Shortbread Cookies with Mini M&M’s: Your Go-To Holiday Treat!

The spirit of spring and the joy of Easter naturally inspire us to gather in the kitchen and create something special. These Easter Shortbread Cookies with Mini M&Ms are not only a delightfully delicious dessert but also incredibly easy to share, making them perfect for any festive occasion. The best part? This recipe is a true kitchen miracle, requiring just four essential ingredients to bring these buttery wonders to life!

From lively family gatherings to community church potlucks, classic sweet and buttery shortbread cookies are always a resounding success. This particular rendition bakes to perfection, achieving gloriously golden-brown bottoms that offer that coveted crispy texture with every bite. The addition of mini M&Ms doesn’t just introduce an exciting crunch; it infuses each cookie with a vibrant, festive pop of color that perfectly captures the essence of Easter. They are so much fun to make and even more fun to eat!

This recipe prides itself on its simplicity, boiling down to a straightforward process that anyone can master: simply mix the dough, chill it, slice it, and then pop your cookies into the oven. Minimal effort, maximum deliciousness!

The Rich History of Shortbread

Before diving into the recipe, it’s worth appreciating the heritage of shortbread itself. Originating in Scotland, shortbread has a long and storied history, with its roots tracing back to medieval times when biscuit bread (a twice-baked enriched bread) was common. Over time, yeast was replaced with butter, transforming it into the rich, crumbly cookie we know today.

Historically, shortbread was a luxury item, often reserved for special occasions like Christmas, Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve), and weddings. Mary, Queen of Scots, is often credited with popularizing shortbread in the 16th century, particularly a thin, caraway-seed spiced version known as “Petticoat Tails.” The “short” in shortbread refers to its crumbly texture, which comes from the high proportion of butter that inhibits gluten development. Our modern Easter Shortbread with M&Ms takes this beloved classic and infuses it with a playful, contemporary twist, perfectly suited for today’s celebrations while honoring its delicious past.

Simple Ingredients for Irresistible Shortbread

Crafting these delectable Easter Shortbread Cookies requires just four high-quality ingredients. Each plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect buttery flavor and delicate, crumbly texture:

• Salted Butter: The cornerstone of classic shortbread, providing rich flavor and tender texture. Using good quality salted butter eliminates the need for extra salt and enhances the overall taste. Ensure it’s at room temperature for optimal creaming. If you only have unsalted butter, simply add about ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt to the dry ingredients.
• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the structural base of our cookies. Avoid using bread flour or self-rising flour, as their protein content or leavening agents will alter the desired shortbread texture.
• Icing Sugar: Also known as powdered sugar or confectioner’s sugar. Unlike granulated sugar, icing sugar dissolves seamlessly into the butter, contributing to a smoother, more tender crumb and preventing a grainy texture.
• Mini M&Ms: These add a delightful crunch and a vibrant burst of color, making them perfect for Easter. The “mini” size is key here, as larger candies might cause the cookies to break when sliced. You could also use mini chocolate chips for a classic twist, or other small candy-coated chocolates.

Essential Baking Equipment

To make your cookie-making process as smooth as possible, gather the following basic kitchen tools:

• Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Large Mixing Bowl: If using a hand mixer, you’ll need a good sturdy bowl.
• Rubber Spatula or Wooden Spoon: For scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding in the M&Ms.
• Plastic Wrap: Crucial for wrapping the dough log for chilling.
• Baking Sheet: A sturdy baking sheet will ensure even baking.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
• Sharp Knife: For slicing the chilled dough into uniform cookies.
• Wire Cooling Rack: For cooling the cookies completely after baking, ensuring they maintain their crispness.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Easter Shortbread Cookies

Follow these detailed instructions to create beautifully buttery and festive shortbread cookies:

1. Prepare the Butter: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer in a large bowl), beat the softened salted butter on medium speed until it becomes light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 minutes. This step is vital for incorporating air, which contributes to the shortbread’s delicate, crumbly texture.
2. Incorporate the Sugar: Gradually add the icing sugar to the whipped butter. Continue mixing for another 2 minutes until the mixture is fully combined and smooth. Ensure there are no lumps of sugar remaining.
3. Add the Flour: Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add the all-purpose flour to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix just until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies instead of tender shortbread. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well incorporated.
4. Fold in the M&Ms: Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Using a wooden spoon or a sturdy rubber spatula, gently fold in the mini M&Ms. Avoid using the paddle attachment for this step, as it can crush the candies. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
5. Shape and Chill the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Gently form the dough into a uniform log, approximately 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter. Wrap the log tightly in the plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets. Place the wrapped dough log in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours. This chilling period is crucial as it allows the butter to firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and making them easier to slice cleanly.
6. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheet: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
7. Slice the Cookies: Once the dough is thoroughly chilled and firm, unwrap the log. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the dough log into ½-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading.
8. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the edges and bottoms of the cookies are lightly golden-brown. The centers should still be pale. Baking from cold dough helps maintain their shape.
9. Cool: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes to firm up slightly before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking and helps them achieve that desired crisp texture.

Expert Tips for Flawless Shortbread Cookies

• Quality Butter is Key: Always use good-quality, full-fat salted butter for the best shortbread texture and flavor. The butter is the star ingredient, and its quality significantly impacts the final taste and tenderness of your cookies. Avoid low-fat butter or margarine.
• Do Not Over-mix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Over-mixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, chewy cookies instead of the desired tender, crumbly shortbread.
• Thorough Chilling is Crucial: For the best results and to prevent excessive spreading during baking, ensure the dough log is thoroughly chilled for at least 2 hours. This firm dough will hold its shape beautifully when sliced and baked.
• Bake from Cold: Placing cold dough directly into a hot oven helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from spreading too rapidly.
• Even Slicing: Try to slice the dough log into uniform ½-inch thick pieces. This ensures that all cookies bake evenly and prevents some from burning while others are undercooked.
• Monitor Baking Time: Ovens vary, so keep a close eye on your cookies. They are done when the bottoms are golden-brown and the edges are set. Over-baking can make them dry and hard.
• Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is truly at room temperature. It should be soft enough to indent with your finger but not melted or greasy. This allows it to cream properly with the sugar.
• Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. It ensures easy release, promotes even browning, and makes cleanup a breeze.

Common Troubleshooting for Shortbread Cookies

Even with a simple recipe, minor issues can arise. Here’s how to troubleshoot some common shortbread problems:

• Cookies Spreading Too Much:
  • Cause: Dough wasn’t chilled enough, butter was too soft, or too much butter/not enough flour.
  • Solution: Ensure the dough is thoroughly chilled until firm (at least 2 hours, or even 30 minutes in the freezer). Check your butter; it should be soft but not greasy. Double-check your flour measurement. If cookies still spread, try chilling the sliced cookies on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before baking.
• Cookies are Tough/Chewy:
  • Cause: Over-mixing the dough.
  • Solution: Shortbread is meant to be “short” (crumbly). Mix the flour in *just* until combined. Stop as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.
• M&Ms Melting or Crushing:
  • Cause: Folding M&Ms in with the stand mixer, or baking at too high a temperature.
  • Solution: Always fold in M&Ms by hand with a wooden spoon or spatula. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate (an oven thermometer can help). The short chilling time of the M&Ms in the dough also helps prevent them from melting too quickly.
• Cookies are Dry and Crumbly:
  • Cause: Too much flour, or over-baking.
  • Solution: Ensure accurate flour measurements (using a kitchen scale is best). Bake just until the bottoms are golden; do not wait for the tops to brown.

Recommended Spring & Holiday Recipes

Crafting the Perfect Easter Spread: More Delicacies to Complete Your Meal

While these M&M shortbread cookies are a fantastic dessert, Easter often calls for a full feast. Here are some complementary dishes to round out your holiday menu:

If Deviled Eggs are a non-negotiable on your Easter menu, simplify your prep with my guide on How to Make Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs for the easiest, peel-perfect results every time. For your impressive main course, consider swapping the traditional spiral-cut ham for this richly flavored Smoked Carver Ham, complete with a mouthwatering glaze that will have everyone asking for seconds! Alternatively, you absolutely can’t go wrong with immensely flavorful and always tender Smoked Lamb Chops – a truly elegant option. And if your baking bug is still itching for more festive treats, Chocolate Chip Mini Egg Cookies are another delightful and colorful dessert perfect for the season!

For side dishes, consider something fresh and vibrant like Smoked Asparagus, bringing a unique smoky flavor to a classic spring vegetable. A creamy potato gratin or a light spring salad would also complement these main dishes beautifully.

Creative Variations to Customize Your Easter Shortbread

While the classic Easter Shortbread with Mini M&Ms is a winner, these cookies are incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your taste or occasion. Here are some fun variations to try:

• Chocolate Chip Twist: Don’t have any mini M&Ms on hand? No problem! You can easily make Easter Shortbread Cookies with Mini Chocolate Chips instead. For a delightful flavor twist, try using mini white chocolate chips, which pair wonderfully with the buttery shortbread.
• Crushed Candy Eggs: For an even more “Easter-y” feel, consider using mini chocolate egg candies. To incorporate them effectively, place the candies in a plastic bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin. You want them to be about the same size as mini M&Ms so they distribute well and don’t make the cookies difficult to slice.
• Flavor Extracts: Elevate the shortbread’s flavor by adding a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, almond extract, or even a hint of lemon zest to the dough along with the sugar. These additions can beautifully complement the buttery base.
• Sprinkle Magic: Instead of or in addition to M&Ms, fold in some festive Easter sprinkles (e.g., pastel jimmies or bunny-shaped sprinkles) for extra color and fun.
• Food Coloring Fun: Want to add even more color to your shortbread? Choose your favorite springtime shades (like pastel pink, blue, or green) and add a few drops of food coloring to the dough before mixing in the M&Ms. I recommend doing this when you add the flour, ensuring the color is fully incorporated before the candies go in.
• Rainbow Shortbread Log: If you’re feeling really ambitious and want a truly show-stopping cookie, separate the dough into 2-3 portions before adding the M&Ms. Add different food coloring to each section, mixing until the color is uniform. Then, carefully form each colored dough into a log side-by-side, pressing them together to create a multi-colored log. Chill thoroughly, then slice. You’ll have a gorgeous variety of spring colors swirling through your shortbread!
• Glaze or Drizzle: Once the cookies are completely cooled, you can drizzle them with a simple powdered sugar glaze (icing sugar mixed with a tiny bit of milk or lemon juice) and sprinkle with more M&Ms or sprinkles for an extra layer of sweetness and decoration.

Storing Your Easter Shortbread for Lasting Freshness

If you’re lucky enough to have some extra Easter Shortbread Cookies (they tend to disappear quickly!), proper storage will ensure they remain fresh and delicious for longer. Shortbread is known for its good keeping qualities due to its low moisture content.

• Room Temperature: Store cooled shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. A cookie tin or a sealed plastic container works perfectly. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking together. They will stay fresh and crisp for up to 5-7 days. Just make sure they’re not in direct sunlight or a warm spot, as heat could cause the chocolate from the M&Ms to melt and make the cookies sticky.
• Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary for shortbread, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator if you prefer. This might extend their freshness slightly, but it can also make them a little harder. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. They should be enjoyed within 7-10 days when refrigerated.
• Freezing Dough: You can prepare the dough log in advance and freeze it. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, transfer the frozen log to the refrigerator to thaw overnight, then slice and bake as directed.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: Fully baked and cooled shortbread cookies can also be frozen. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about 30 minutes until solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight, freezer-safe container or freezer bag, again with parchment paper between layers. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Visual Step-by-Step Process

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Average rating: 4.19 from 11 votes

Easter Shortbread Cookies with Mini M&Ms

Course:

Desserts

Cuisine:

American

Keywords:

cookies, easter, easter cookies, m&m, shortbread, spring

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

10 minutes

Chilling time:

2 hours

Servings:

24 cookies

Calories:

103 kcal

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Want More Delicious and Easy Recipes?

• Smoked Asparagus
• Over the Top Chili
• Smoked Cream Cheese
• Lobster Chowder
• Smoked Shotgun Shells