#betterwithmms

Chocolate Caramel Apples with M&M’S

Prep Time: 10 min.

Decoration Time: 15 min.

Difficulty: Easy

Yield: Makes 10 apples

 6 small apples, washed and patted dry

1 bag (14-oz ) soft caramels

2 tablespoons water

1 1/2 cups M&M’S® Chocolate Candies

 Special Equipment:

10 craft sticks

4-cup microwave-safe measuring cup

Wax paper

 1. Press the craft sticks into the tops of the apples and set aside.

2. Melt caramels with water in measuring cup for 1 to 2 minutes in microwave. Stir occasionally until smooth.

M&M’S ® Milk Chocolate Cookies

Prep time: 10-15 minutes

Bake time: 7-9 minutes or 10-12 minutes

Yield: 24-30 cookies

Ingredients 

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 ¾ cup M&M’S® Milk Chocolate Candies Harvest Blend

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream butter and both sugars until well blended. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine.

In a separate bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt together. Slowly add these ingredients into the butter mixture and stir until combined.

Fold in M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies and walnuts, if desired. Chill dough 1 hour or overnight.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto a lightly greased tray, about 2 inches apart.

Red’s Amazing M&M’S ® Cookies

Prep time: 10-15 minutes

Bake time: 8-10 minutes / 12-14 minutes

Yield: 24-30 cookies

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1 ¼ tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 ¾ cups M&M’S® Milk Chocolate Candies Harvest Blend

 Directions 

In a large bowl, cream butter and both sugars until well blended. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and salt together. Slowly add these ingredients into the butter mixture and stir until combined.

Fold in the M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies and chill the dough for 1 hour, or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto a lightly greased tray, about 2 inches apart.

Birds Nest Cookies

Prep Time: 25 min.

Bake Time: 12-14 min.

Decoration Time: 10 min.

Ingredients

1 bag of  M&M’S® Brand Speckled Peanut Butter Chocolate Eggs

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

½ cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

¾ tsp salt

1 1/3 cups flaked coconut

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spread coconut on non-greased cookie sheet. Toast in oven, stirring occasionally, until it turns light golden, about 25 minutes.

2. Remove coconut from cookie sheet and set aside.

3. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees. In large bowl, add butter and sugar and whip until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla.

4. In medium bowl, combine flour and salt. Blend into creamed mixture.

5. Form dough into 1-1/4-inch balls. Roll heavily into toasted coconut.

6. Place coconut cookies 2 inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Make indentation with thumb in center of each cookie. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.

MarbledBrownies

Prep Time: 15 minutes 

Bake Time: 45-50 minutes

Yield: Makes 32 brownies

Ingredients 

1 box (8 oz.) reduced fat cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1/8 cup milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 package brownie mix (choose directions for the cake-style brownies)

1 cup M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with the sugar. Add the egg, milk and vanilla extract. Set aside.

2. Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions. Spoon 2/3 of the brownie batter into a parchment-lined 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Spoon the reserved cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter. Now scrape the remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese mixture. Swirl the tip of a knife through the batter to make a marbled effect. Press M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies into the batter.

Easter Sugar Cookies

PrepTime: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 12- 17 minutes

Decoration Time: 20 minutes

Yield: Makes 24 cookies

Ingredients

2/3 cup flour

1 roll (18 oz.) store-bought refrigerated cookie dough

1 ½ cups prepared vanilla frosting

⅔ cup M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the cookie sheet pans with the parchment paper.

2. Knead the flour into the cookie dough until smooth. Roll out the dough to a scant 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out 18 cookies, re-rolling the scraps if necessary. Transfer the cookies to the prepared cookie sheet pans.

3. Bake for 12-17 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely.

4. Spoon the frosting into a resealable plastic bag; snip a corner. Pipe outlines on the cookies, then fill in the outlines with a tight zigzag pattern. Spread the frosting with a small spatula or table knife on about half the cookies to make it smooth.

Blue Raspberry Cookie Cake with M&M'S

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 12 slices

Ingredients

1 pkg. Pillsbury® Blue Raspberry Flavored Cookie Mix

Additional ingredients to prepare cookie mix per package directions

1 container Pillsbury® Creamy Supreme® Blue Raspberry Flavored  Frosting, and/or your favorite variety

1 (11.40 oz.) pkg. M&M's Brand Milk Chocolate Candies

Directions

1. Heat ovento 350°F. Prepare cookie mix according to package directions. Press evenly onto 12-inch pizza pan to form a crust.

2. Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and center is set. Cool completely.

3. Frost and decorate with M&M's, as desired.

Blue Raspberry Dessert Dip with M&M'S

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Yield: Serves 16

Ingredients:

1 (5.3 oz.) container Dannon® Oikos Greek Nonfat PlainYogurt

2 tbsps. Pillsbury® Creamy Supreme® Blue Raspberry Flavored Frosting

1 to 2 tbsps. M&M's Brand Milk Chocolate Candies

Small cookies, cubed pound cake, small brownies or bite-size fresh fruit, etc.

Directions:

1. Stir yogurt and frosting in small bowl until evenly blended.

2. Place in small serving bowl. Sprinkle evenly with M&M's.

3. Serve as a dip or spread with cookies and other assorted items.

Blue Raspberry Fudge with M&M'S

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Yield: Serves 36

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups white baking chips

1 container Pillsbury® Creamy Supreme® Blue RaspberryFlavored Frosting

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup M&M's® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies 

Directions

1. Line 8-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan.

2. Microwave white baking chips and frosting in medium microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes. Stir until chips are completely melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla and salt until blended. Spread in prepared pan. Let stand 10 minutes. Decorate with M&M's, as desired.

3. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Remove from pan by lifting edges of foil. Remove foil. Cut into squares.

EasterBlue Raspberry Cookies with M&M'S

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients

1 pkg. Pillsbury® Blue Raspberry Flavored Cookie Mix

1/3 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup Dannon® Oikos Greek Nonfat Plain Yogurt

1 egg

1 container Pillsbury® Creamy Supreme® Blue Raspberry Flavored  Frosting

1 pkg. M&M's® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies

  Directions

1. Mix cookie mix,  butter, yogurt and egg in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed  until dough forms. Drop by rounded teaspoon, 2 inches apart, onto baking  sheets.

2. Bake according to  package directions. Cool completely.

3. Frost cookies, as  desired. Decorate with M&M's.

EasterCupcakes with M&M'S

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 23 minutes

Yield: 2 dozen cupcakes

Ingredients

1 pkg. Pillsbury® Moist Supreme® Blue Raspberry or Tropical Mango Flavored  Premium Cake Mix

Additional ingredients to prepare cake mix per package directions

1 to 2 containers Pillsbury® Creamy Supreme® Blue Raspberry or  Tropical Mango Flavored Frosting

1 pkg. M&M's® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies or

1 pkg. Starburst® Jellybeans

Directions

1. Prepare cake mix  according to package directions to make 24 cupcakes. Cool completely.

2. Pipe or spread  frosting on cupcakes, as desired.

3. Decorate with  M&M's or Jellybeans.

M&M’s Surprise Easter Cake

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Yield: Serves 16

Ingredients

1 pkg. Pillsbury® Funfetti® Spring Cake Mix

Additional ingredients to prepare cake mix per package directions

1 to 2 containers Pillsbury® Funfetti® Spring Vanilla Flavored  Frosting

1 (11.40 oz. ) pkg. M&M's® Brand Milk Chocolate

  Directions

1. Prepare 3 (8-inch)  round cake pans. Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions.  Bake according to package directions, reducing bake time to 18 to 23 minutes.  Cool completely.

2. Cut a 3-inch  circle in the center of 2 cake layers using a 3-inch round cutter or long  serrated knife. Remove cake from centers leaving a 3-inch diameter hole.  Place 1 cake layer on serving plate, rounded side down. Spread top with  frosting. Top with second cake layer. Spread top with frosting. Fill center  hole with M&M's. Top with remaining cake layer, round side up.

3. Frost top and  sides of cake with remaining frosting. Sprinkle with candy bits from  frosting. Decorate with additional M&M's, as desired.

Springtime M&M Popcorn Snack Mix

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Yield: Serves 16

Ingredients

Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

2 (2.75 oz.) pkgs. plain or butter flavored microwave popcorn, popped

2 cups crisp rice cereal squares

1 container Pillsbury® Funfetti® Spring Vanilla Flavored Frosting

1 cup pastel colored or regular miniature marshmallows

1 cup M&M's® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies

 Directions

1. Heat oven to  250°F. Coat 2 (15 x 10 x 1-inch) baking pans with no-stick cooking spray.  Place popcorn in large bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels. Add cereal  squares.

2. Remove lid and  foil seal from frosting container. Microwave on HIGH 45 seconds. Stir until  smooth. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Stir to coat evenly.

3. Spread evenly on  prepared baking pans. Bake 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Sprinkle  evenly with candy bits from frosting. Top with marshmallows and M&M's.  Cool completely. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

Robin Egg Cookies with M&M'S

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients

1 pkg. Pillsbury® Blue Raspberry Flavored Cookie Mix

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup Pillsbury BEST™ All Purpose Flour

1 egg

1 container Pillsbury® Creamy Supreme® Blue Raspberry Flavored  Frosting, or your favorite variety

1 pkg. M&M's® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies

  Directions

1. Beat cookie mix,  butter, flour and egg in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until  dough forms. Roll dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut  with 2 1/2 to 3-inch egg-shaped cookie cutter. Place 2 inches apart on baking  sheets.

2. Bake according to  package directions. Cool completely.

3. Frost cookies, as  desired. Decorate with M&M's.

Red’s Amazing M&M’S® Cookies

Prep time: 10-15 minutes 

Bake time: 8-10 minutes / 12-14 minutes 

Yield: 24-30 cookies

 Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) bu­tter

2/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cup flour

1 1⁄4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 3⁄4 cups M&M’s® Milk Chocolate Candies

  Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, cream bu­er and both sugars until well blended. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine.

3. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and salt together. Slowly add these ingredients into the butt­er mixture and stir until combined.

4. Fold in the M&M’s® and chill the dough for 1 hour, or overnight.

5. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto a lightly greased tray, about 2 inches apart.

Ms. Green’s Ultimate M&M’S Peanut Bu­tter Brownies

Prep time: 10-15 minutes 

Bake Time: 30-40 minutes 

Yield: 32 brownies

  Ingredients:

4oz semi-sweet chocolate

1 cup canola or vegetable oil

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 eggs

1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 cups M&M’S® Peanut Bu­tter Candies

  Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Lightly grease a rectangular 13x9x2 inch pan

3. In a 3-quart saucepan, gently combine the semi-sweet chocolate and oil over very low heat until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, vanilla and eggs until blended. Add in the chocolate mixture. Slowly sift  in the remaining dry ingredients and mix until combined.

5. Fold in 1 1⁄2 cups of M&M’S® Peanut Butt­er candies.

6. Spread the ba­tter into the pan. Sprinkle with the remaining 1⁄2 cup of candies and press lightly.

M&M’S® Milk Chocolate Minis Cookies

Prep Time: 10-15 Minutes 

Bake Time: 7-9 Minutes / 10-12 Minutes Yield: 24-30 Cookies

  Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 ¼ cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 ¾ cup M&M’s® Milk Chocolate Minis Candies

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

  Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, cream butter and both sugars until well blended. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine.

3. In a separate bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt together. Slowly add these ingredients into the butter mixture and stir until combined.

4. Fold in M&Ms and walnuts, if desired. Chill dough 1 hour or overnight.

5. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto a lightly greased tray, about 2 inches apart.