Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies

When I first saw a recipe for Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies, and realized it used the same base recipe as my Chewy Sugar Cookies I knew they were going to be good.  Since those cookies are one of my favorites of all time, I figured M&Ms could only make them better, right?  Right!  The sugar cookie base is deliciously chewy and the cream cheese adds a little tang. Chocolate bursts of M&Ms are studded throughout. Chewy sugar cookies made with M&Ms. Genius idea. 

I love how cute these look and that they can be made festive for any occasion.  Truth be told, I have been trying to make these cookies for months. I have M&Ms for every holiday stocked in my treat drawer that were intended to be used for Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies.  While I used Easter "Bunny Mix" M&Ms, these are made in honor of Spring (since there won't be any left for Easter...Oops!).  

Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies
Yields 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling
2 ounces cream cheese, cut into 12 pieces (I used 1/3 less fat cream cheese)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and hot
1/3 cup canola oil
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk (I used skim)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup M&M chocolate candies

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place 1/3 cup sugar in a shallow bowl and set aside (this will be used for rolling).
2. In a medium bowl, whick the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, add 1 1/2 cups sugar and cream cheese. Pour butter over sugar and cream cheese and whisk to combine (some small lumps may remain). Whisk in oil until incorporated. Add egg, milk and vanilla; continue to whisk until smooth.
4. Add flour mixture and mix with rubber spatula.  Add 1 cup of M&Ms and continue mixing until dough forms.  
5. Divide dough into 24 equal pieces. Using hands, roll dough into balls. Roll balls in reserved sugar to coat and place on prepared baking sheets, 12 balls per sheet. Using bottom of drinking glass, flatten balls until 2 inches in diameter.  Using remaining M&Ms, gently press 2-3 candies onto tops of cookies.
6. Bake 1 tray at a time until edges are set and beginning to brown, about 9 to 12 minutes. Let cookies cool on sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire rack and let cool completely before serving.

Source:  as seen on Carrie's Sweet Life, originally fromTracey's Culinary Adventures