Elf Cookies

5 from 9 votes
14 Comments

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These Elf Cookies are much like the ever-popular “Monster Cookies” but we decided to kick them up a notch by making them “Christmas Style”. What elf wouldn’t want a cookie filled with tons Christmas candy?

Hand picking up an Elf Cookie from a plate of cookies.
Featured with this Recipe
  1. The Cookie Dough
  2. Ingredients in Elf Cookies
  3. Mix-Ins Not To Miss
  4. Make Elf Cookies Part of the Party
  5. Elf Cookies as Gifts
  6. Make a Double Batch
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. More Holiday Treat Recipes
  9. How to Make Elf Cookies
  10. Elf Cookies Recipe

Everyone needs a good base cookie dough recipe. You know, one of those easy cookie recipes that you have memorized but make different each time depending on the mix-ins. We have tried this cookie dough recipe with several different mix-in ideas, but we think we found the best mix-in…. Christmas candy! And LOTS of it!

Mixing bowl with plain dough.


Ingredients in Elf Cookies

  • Butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Packed brown sugar
  • Egg
  • Egg yolk
  • Vanilla extract
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Baking soda
Ingredients to make Elf Cookies including flour, sugar, brown sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, sprinkles, salt, baking soda, baking powder, andes mints, peppermint bark and chocolate candies.

Mix-Ins Not To Miss

These would be great with any kind of Christmas candy, but the mix-ins we chose, specifically, include: Candy-coated chocolate candies (M&M’s), chocolate dinner mints (creme de menthe mints), white chocolate peppermint bark, and Christmas SPRINKLES! Here are some other mix-in ideas that even Buddy the Elf would approve of:

  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Pecans, almonds, or walnuts
  • Chopped up chow mein noodles or pretzels
  • Drizzle some chocolate syrup, or melted chocolate over the top with a piping bag
  • Frost with some chocolate frosting
  • Milk Chocolate candies like Hershey Kisses
  • Crushed candy canes
  • Crush cinnamon sugar pop tart pastries
  • White chocolate chips – you can can melt the white chocolate and use food coloring to make it different colors.
  • Marshmallow bits
  • Graham crackers
  • Chocolate chips or peanut butter chips
  • Toffee bits
Chocolate and regular Elf Cookies on a wire cooling rack.

Make Elf Cookies Part of the Party

This would be such a fun recipe to use for a family activity, birthday party or holiday party for kids or teenagers. Have all the kids make their own recipe creations by dividing up the dough and letting them choose which Christmas candies they want in their Elf Cookies. Have all the Christmas candy out in bowls and give them an allotted amount of “scoops.” So many possibilities! Kids love being able to come up with their own creations in the kitchen. This is the perfect opportunity to let them do just that! Everyone loves homemade cookies, especially when they are warm out of the oven. Serve them up with a tall glass of cold milk or a hot mug of cocoa. Does a party get any better than that?

Elf Cookies as Gifts

Share the magic and yummy taste of these darling Elf Cookies with friends and neighbors for the holidays! Package up a few of the cookies in a festive box or cellophane bag tied with holiday ribbon and give them to all your favorite people.

Stacked Elf Cookies next to a tall glass of milk.

Make a Double Batch

This recipe can be made a day or two ahead or frozen for later use, which makes it even more convenient for holiday gatherings or parties. Or make a double batch of dough to save for later. Here’s all you do: 

  • Tightly wrap leftover dough in Saran wrap.
  • Place the wrapped dough in a freezer bag.
  • Freeze dough for up to two months.
  • OR you can also freeze fully cooked cookies in a freezer bag.

“I loved how there was peppermint IN the cookie! Such a great idea!”

Beth

“LOVE how festive these cookies are! Beautiful yet simple! I can’t wait to try them!”

Jennifer

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you tell if cookies are done in the middle?

Push the sides of the cookie very lightly with a spatula or butter knife. If the edge stays firm and doesn’t fall inwards, then your cookies are done. If you leave a noticeable indentation, then your cookies need a few more minutes to cook.

How far in advance can you make cookies?

Cookies can stay good for up to two weeks, but taste best fresh. If I make them for an event, I like to make them within 24 hours of when I need to serve them. Or, if I want to make them way ahead, I will make them and freeze them.

How do you freeze cookies?

Tightly wrap leftover dough in Saran wrap. Place the wrapped dough in a freezer bag and freeze dough for up to two months. OR you can also freeze fully cooked cookies in a freezer bag.

Read Next: Christmas Cookie Recipes

More Holiday Treat Recipes

If you are looking for even more Holiday treats, we have desserts that make perfect gifts or simply make your home a little sweeter this time of year.

How to Make Elf Cookies

Assortment of regular and chocolate Elf Cookies next to chocolate candies.

Elf Cookies

5 from 9 votes
You have got to try these fun HOLIDAY ELF COOKIES, they are loaded with Christmas candy! It’s the only cookie recipe you’ll need this holiday season.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Dutch
Servings 24

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg, egg yolk and vanilla in large bowl until well combined.
    Mixing bowl with creamed butter, sugar and eggs.
  • Add in flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda and mix until blended.(Dough will be soft and creamy.) If making chocolate cookies, add cocoa powder (optional) and mix until smooth.
    Mixing bowl with plain dough.
  • Add peppermint bark, chocolate candies, chocolate dinner mints, and sprinkles into the dough and fold in with a spoon or spatula until well mixed.
    Mixing bowl with dough and candies.
  • Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets 3-inches apart. Top with more candies if desired.
    Dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool 1 minute on wire rack; remove from baking sheets and cool completely.
    Baked Elf Cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Notes

Recipe Tips:
Only need a small batch? 
  • Tightly wrap leftover dough in Saran wrap.
  • Place the wrapped dough in a freezer bag.
  • Freeze dough for up to two months.
  • OR you can also freeze fully cooked cookies in a freezer bag.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 141mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 516IUCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. I want to make these for Christmas for the children in my family. When you say to STIR in the Flour, is that with a Spoon or with the Mixer that you were already using ? When adding the M & M’s is that before you Bake them or when removed from the oven ? Thanks ! Merry Christmas !

    1. Sorry, that is a little confusing – use the mixer to combine the flour with the other ingredients. When you add the mix-ins, use a spoon or spatula to fold them in. And we added M&Ms to the dough and a few on top for looks! Hope this helps! Have fun making them with your family!

  2. Silly question, I have never used Country Crock before. What difference might I notice with this recipe if I substituted unsalted butter for the Country Crock? Thanks!

    1. The nice thing about using the Country Crock is that it is PERFECTLY softened… which sometimes it is tough to do with regular butter. You could try using butter but I can’t guarantee it will turn out the same. Do you have Country Crock available at your store?

      1. Thanks for writing, Erica! I will check and see if my store carries Country Crock. Is there just one variety of it?

    1. Right? To be honest this was my first time using it to bake and it worked out awesome. You don’t have to wait for it to soften, it is already the perfect consistency for baking!