Name: Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 31 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg; 1 3.4 ounces box Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix (not sugar free); 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour; 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles (or any colors); 3/4 cup Christmas M&Ms (or any color of M&M)

There's something magical about Christmas-themed treats, and the Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe captures that holiday spirit perfectly. These cookies combine the cozy flavors of a traditional Christmas pudding in a soft, colorful cookie you'll want to bake again and again.

The image shows a group of six round cookies on a light wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is thick with a soft texture and is filled with colorful red and green candy pieces and small brown chocolate chips scattered evenly across the cookie surface. The cookies have a slightly cracked top showing a soft inside. There are a few extra candies placed around the cookies on the wooden board. The background is softly blurred with pink and white hues. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

My first time making this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe, I was blown away by how soft and pillowy the cookies came out. Plus, that fun burst of festive colors from the sprinkles and M&Ms makes them just perfect for holiday gatherings.

Soft and Tender Texture: The instant vanilla pudding mix in the dough makes these cookies irresistibly soft and chewy, unlike any other holiday cookie you’ve tried.
Festive Fun: The red and green sprinkles combined with colorful M&Ms give that classic Christmas look that kids and adults both adore.
Simple to Make: You only need one bowl and a handful of ingredients, making this a perfect recipe for quick holiday baking sessions.
Versatile and Customizable: You can easily swap out the sprinkles and candies to fit your holiday theme or dietary needs.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The secret behind this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe is in choosing ingredients that balance flavor, moisture, and that soft bite. Each component plays a unique role in creating those comforting holiday vibes.

Flat lay of a small square of soft unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with packed brown sugar, a whole large egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow instant vanilla pudding powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red and green round sprinkles, a small white ceramic bowl of colorful Christmas M&M candies, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract liquid, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white salt, and a small white ceramic bowl of pale beige baking soda powder, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Using softened butter ensures a silky batter and rich flavor, allowing you to control the salt level perfectly.
Brown Sugar: Packed tightly, it adds deep caramel notes and contributes to the moist, chewy texture.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and aroma, tying together the sweet and spice elements.
Egg: Acts as a binder while enriching the cookie with structure and moisture.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: This is the real game-changer—adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle vanilla sweetness without extra fuss.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies spread just right and develop a soft, cakey texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie, it holds everything together and creates that classic cookie density.
Red and Green Sprinkles: Festive and colorful, these make the cookies instantly recognizable as a holiday treat.
Christmas M&Ms: I like these for their vibrant colors and chocolate flavor, but feel free to use any candy you love.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe is how forgiving and adaptable it is. You can definitely make it your own with a few tweaks here and there.

Variation: I’ve tried swapping the M&Ms for chopped dried cranberries or cherries for a more traditional Christmas flavor—both are delicious and add a lovely tang.
Dietary Twist: For a gluten-free version, just swap in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and make sure your pudding mix is GF certified.
Milk Chocolate Swap: Use peanut butter M&Ms or white chocolate chips to mix up the flavor profile in a fun way.
Festive Mix-Ins: Toss in some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added crunch and warmth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up view of soft cookies stacked in a pile on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light beige dough base densely dotted with small dark chocolate chips and larger red and green candy-coated chocolates spread evenly across the top. The cookies have rounded, slightly uneven edges and a soft texture with tiny cracks on the surface. The candies are bright and glossy, creating a colorful contrast and adding a festive look to the warm-toned dough. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

Start by softening your butter well—leave it out for about an hour beforehand. Then cream together the butter and packed brown sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. This takes about 2-3 minutes until the mixture turns light and fluffy. It’s super important because this step invites air into your dough, which helps keep the cookies soft.

Step 2: Adding Wet Ingredients and Pudding Mix

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract next until smooth and creamy. Then add the instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt, mixing until fully incorporated. The pudding mix adds moisture and tenderness, so don’t skip it—it’s the heart of this recipe.

Step 3: Folding in Flour, Sprinkles, and M&Ms

Gently mix in the flour. Once combined, fold in those festive sprinkles and the Christmas M&Ms. I like to save a handful of candy to press on top just before baking for a prettier look.

Step 4: Chilling the Dough Balls

Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, form dough balls right onto a parchment-lined tray. The trick here is to chill them for at least 30 minutes—this step makes sure the flavors meld and the cookies bake up tender without excessive spreading.

Step 5: Baking to Perfection

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chilled dough balls at least 2 inches apart on your lined cookie sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching closely for when the edges start to turn a light golden brown. I often set a timer for 9 minutes and keep an eye after that. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned some little tricks that really make this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe shine. They’ve saved me from common baking pitfalls and helped me create that perfect batch every time.

Soft Butter is Key: Make sure your butter isn’t cold or melted, just soft enough to press. This creates the best creaming texture for the dough.
Don’t Skip Chilling: I once rushed and skipped chilling and got spread-out, thin cookies. Chill those dough balls to keep the cookies thick and soft.
Keep an Eye on Bake Time: Because of the pudding mix, cookies brown faster at edges—remove them right as edges turn golden for the perfect soft center.
Press Extra Candies on Top: For a festive look, gently press a few M&Ms onto the dough balls before baking so they peek out beautifully after baking.

How to Serve Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe

Christmas Pudding Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love dusting these cookies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra snowy holiday vibe. Sometimes I also drizzle a bit of white chocolate on top for a festive, sweet finish.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside rich hot cocoa or a spiced holiday tea for the ultimate cozy winter snack. They’re also fantastic with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a dessert twist.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange these cookies on a festive platter with fresh pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks for a rustic, seasonal look. I once tied stacks of three cookies with red and white twine as thoughtful homemade gifts—it was a big hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and tasty for up to 4 days—perfect if you want to prepare in advance for a party!

Freezing

This dough freezes beautifully, either shaped into balls or baked cookies. I freeze the dough balls on a tray then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to one month. When ready, bake straight from frozen, just add a couple extra minutes.

Reheating

For leftover baked cookies, I warm them gently in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to revive that fresh-baked softness. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make them a little chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe without instant pudding mix?

Instant pudding mix is key to the softness and flavor of these cookies, so I don’t recommend skipping it. However, you could try substituting with an equal amount of cornstarch and a touch of vanilla, but texture and taste will differ.

What’s the best way to avoid spreading during baking?

Chilling the cookie dough balls really helps prevent spreading and keeps the cookies thick and soft. Also, make sure your butter isn’t melted. Baking on parchment or a silicone mat helps cookies bake evenly, too.

Can I use other festive candies besides M&Ms?

Absolutely! You can swap in chopped candy canes, white chocolate chips, or holiday-themed chocolate pieces. Just make sure the candies hold up well in baking and complement the flavors.

How long will these Christmas Pudding Cookies stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and soft for about 4 days. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet—just thaw or reheat gently before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe is truly one of my favorite holiday treats—the way it combines nostalgia with a fun cookie twist makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Baking these warms up my kitchen and spirits, and I promise you’ll feel the same joy biting into that soft, festive delight. Give them a try this season—you might just find your new holiday tradition!