The Ultimate Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe

Baking these delightful chocolate lava M&M surprise cookies might sound complex, but trust me, the process is surprisingly simple.

Molten chocolate centers create an unexpected burst of gooey excitement in every bite.

Sweet chocolate chips mingle with colorful candy pieces, promising a delectable adventure for dessert enthusiasts.

Each cookie delivers a playful combination of crisp edges and melty interiors that’ll make you smile.

Small bursts of candy-coated chocolates peek through the rich dough, adding whimsy and crunch.

M&M fragments scattered throughout ensure each morsel brings a delightful textural surprise.

Prepare to experience a cookie that’s part dessert, part magical chocolate treasure hunt.

Jump into this recipe and watch magic unfold right in your kitchen.

Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookie Features

• Surprise Inside Delight: Discover a mouth-watering chocolate hazelnut center that creates an exciting moment when you bite into these cookies, making each bite a delightful adventure.
• Kid-Friendly Baking Project: Perfect for baking with children, this recipe allows fun interaction with simple steps like adding M&Ms and creating cookie balls, turning cooking into a playful experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: These chocolate cookies with their hidden treasure of melted chocolate and colorful candies will impress guests at parties, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers, guaranteeing smiles all around.
• Customizable Treat: Swap out M&Ms for different candies or experiment with various chocolate spreads, giving you creative freedom to make the recipe uniquely yours every single time.

Ingredients for Chocolate Lava M&M Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a soft cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Offer sweetness and help create a chewy cookie consistency.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with a warm, sweet note.

• All-Purpose Flour: Serves as the base structure for the cookie dough.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives deep chocolate flavor and dark color to the cookies.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread during baking.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the sweet flavors.

• Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: Creates a gooey, surprise center in the cookies.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolate bursts throughout the dough.
• M&M Candies: Provides colorful and crunchy chocolate surprises in each cookie.

How to Make Chocolate Lava M&M Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Base

Grab your mixing bowl and combine softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until the mixture becomes super light and fluffy.

Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything blends smoothly.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a soft, rich dough.

Sprinkle in mini chocolate chips and mix evenly.

Step 3: Create the Chocolate Surprise Center

Take a tablespoon of dough and flatten it gently.

Add a small dollop of chocolate hazelnut spread right in the middle. Press a few colorful M&M candies into the spread.

Cover with another small piece of dough, pinching the edges to seal the delicious filling completely. Roll into a perfect round ball and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Repeat until all dough is used.

Step 4: Chill and Prep

Pop the cookie dough balls into the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

While chilling, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Look for slightly cracked tops and set edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve these cookies warm to reveal the gooey chocolate lava center, or enjoy at room temperature for a delightful treat that surprises with every bite.

Pro Tips for Gooey Chocolate Lava Cookies

• Refrigerate the cookie dough balls for at least 20 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain the cookie's shape during baking.
• Pinch and seal the edges thoroughly to keep the chocolate hazelnut spread and M&Ms securely inside the cookie.
• Look for slightly cracked tops and set edges, which indicate the cookies are perfectly baked without overcooking.
• Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to help them set and prevent breaking when transferring.
• Enjoy warm for a molten chocolate center that creates a delightful surprise with every bite.

Flavor Variations for M&M Surprise Cookies

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Lava Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the same rich chocolate flavor and gooey center.
• Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select dairy-free chocolate spread for a plant-based alternative that keeps the indulgent texture.
• Nut-Free Chocolate Lava Treats: Substitute hazelnut spread with sunflower seed butter or cream cheese for those with nut allergies, ensuring the same molten chocolate experience.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Cookies: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated sugar, and select sugar-free chocolate chips to create a diabetic-friendly dessert that's still decadent.

Best Pairings with Chocolate Lava M&M Cookies

Rich chocolate milk perfectly complements the cookie’s decadent chocolate flavor, creating a smooth and creamy drinking experience.

Serve a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside the warm cookies to balance the intense chocolate and provide a cool, refreshing contrast.

A warm hazelnut latte echoes the hazelnut spread inside the cookie, enhancing the nutty undertones and providing a sophisticated beverage pairing.

The sweet caramel notes in a macchiato harmonize with the M&M candies and chocolate chips, offering a luxurious flavor complement to the gooey cookie.

Storing Chocolate Lava M&M Cookies

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing sticking.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, place in freezer bags, and store for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for soft, delicious treats.
• Microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore gooey center and warm chocolate texture. Alternatively, warm in a preheated 325F oven for 3-4 minutes for crisp edges.
• Remove from freezer, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then enjoy or briefly warm in microwave or oven for best results.

FAQs

• Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini chocolate chips?

Yes, you can substitute regular chocolate chips, but mini chips distribute more evenly in the cookie dough and provide a more balanced chocolate flavor.

• Is chocolate hazelnut spread necessary for the recipe?

While chocolate hazelnut spread creates the lava center, you can replace it with caramel sauce or peanut butter for a different filling experience.

• How do I prevent the filling from leaking during baking?

Ensure you completely seal the edges of the cookie dough when encasing the filling, and chill the cookie dough balls before baking to help maintain their shape.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

You can prepare the cookie dough balls and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking, or freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months.

Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Molten chocolate lava M&M surprise cookies deliver an unexpected delight with each warm, gooey bite. Melted chocolate centers and colorful candy shells create a playful dessert experience you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Wet Ingredients and Add-ins:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (like Nutella)
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup M&M candies

Binding and Leavening Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until achieving a whipped, airy consistency.
2. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until completely integrated and smooth.
3. Separately, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, whisking to ensure even distribution.
4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a soft, pliable dough.
5. Gently mix in mini chocolate chips until evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
6. Take a tablespoon of dough and flatten it into a thin disc in your palm.
7. Place a small dollop of chocolate hazelnut spread in the center of the disc.
8. Strategically position a few M&M candies atop the spread.
9. Cover the filling with another small dough piece, carefully sealing the edges to create a fully enclosed ball.
10. Roll the stuffed dough into a smooth, uniform sphere.
11. Arrange cookie balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each.
12. Refrigerate the prepared cookies for 20 minutes to firm up the dough.
13. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) during chilling time.
14. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and tops develop slight crackling.
15. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing from oven.
16. Transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
17. Serve immediately while warm for a molten chocolate center, or enjoy at room temperature.

Notes

• Chill the dough balls for at least 20 minutes to prevent spreading and help maintain the surprise filling during baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent cookie texture.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to keep the same rich chocolate flavor.
• Experiment with different chocolate spreads or nut butters as alternative fillings for unique flavor combinations.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg