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 soft, pillowy cookies dotted with festive colors that instantly bring holiday cheer. This Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe is exactly that — a delightful twist on classic Christmas treats that’s bursting with sweet pudding flavor and colorful candies. Trust me, these cookies will become your go-to holiday favorite!

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

I’ve made countless holiday cookie recipes over the years, but this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe stands out because it combines ease, flavor, and fun all in one. The texture is incredible—soft but structured—which really helps bring out the nostalgic Christmas vibe without any fuss.

Easiest Pudding Twist: Instant vanilla pudding mix makes the dough soft and moist without extra effort or chilling overnight.
Festive & Fun: Red and green sprinkles plus Christmas M&Ms add that jolly pop of color Santa himself would approve of.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything on hand, which means you can whip these up last minute during busy holiday days.
Perfect Texture: These cookies stay soft and chewy, making them perfect for gift-giving or cozy nights by the fire.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe plays a part in creating those soft, tender bites packed with flavor and fun. Let’s break down what they do and why you’ll want to get the best quality for the best results.

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 unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness perfectly and keep flavors balanced. Softened butter creamed with sugar gives you that fluffy dough.
Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar adds moisture and a rich caramel note that makes these cookies irresistibly chewy.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla adds warmth and depth—it’s a simple touch that transforms the dough’s flavor.
Egg: Helps bind ingredients and add structure, ensuring the cookies hold their shape beautifully.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: The real game-changer here! It keeps cookies soft and tender inside while packing in that subtle vanilla flavor.
Baking Soda: Just enough leavening for perfect rise and spread—don’t overdo it or cookies get cakey.
Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights the flavors—you need just a pinch.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure without making these dense.
Red and Green Sprinkles: Festive and fun, they add just the right bit of crunch and color.
Christmas M&Ms: Colorful, chocolatey candies that make these cookies feel extra special and holiday-ready.

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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

I love how versatile this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe is! There are so many ways you can tweak it to suit your style or accommodate what you have in your pantry. Don’t hesitate to make it your own.

Variation: I sometimes swap M&Ms for chopped nuts or white chocolate chips for a slightly different texture and flavor. It’s a fun twist for kids and adults alike.
Dietary Switch: Want gluten-free? Try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but keep the chilling step—it helps keep the texture just right.
Seasonal Extras: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for an extra festive aroma—perfect for those cozy holiday gatherings.

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: Cream Together the Magic

Start by creaming your softened butter and packed brown sugar in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer if that’s what you have). You want it fluffy and smooth—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Then add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until everything combines into a silky batter. This step sets the base for your tender cookies.

Step 2: Add the Secret Softener

Next, toss in the instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined—overmixing here can weigh the dough down. The pudding mix is what keeps these cookies soft and moist, so this is your secret weapon.

Step 3: Flour & Festive Fun

Stir in the flour until the dough comes together, then fold in your red and green sprinkles and M&Ms. I always love sneaking in a few extra M&Ms on top of each cookie dough ball before chilling to make them extra festive-looking once baked.

Step 4: Chill, Then Bake

The dough needs to chill for at least 30 minutes—this is crucial! I’ve skipped this step once or twice and ended up with cookies that spread too thin. After chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F and scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges just start to brown, then cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.

Top Tip

Over the years, I learned that chilling the dough is non-negotiable for this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe. It not only slows spread but actually enhances the texture and intensifies the vanilla flavor. Here are a few more things I swear by:

Even Chilling: Chill the dough in evenly sized balls so they bake uniformly without any surprises.
Watch the Bake Time: It’s tempting to leave them in longer for crispiness, but these cookies should stay soft. Pull them out as soon as edges brown.
Extra Candy on Top: Press a few M&Ms lightly onto each dough ball right before baking for that beautiful holiday look.
Use Quality Vanilla Pudding: The vanilla flavor really shines here, so I recommend sticking to name-brand pudding mix for the best taste.

How to Serve Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe

Christmas Pudding Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep things simple with these festive cookies—sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar, but honestly, the colorful M&Ms and sprinkles do all the garnishing I want. You can also drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for an extra special touch that wow guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced cider, cozy hot chocolate, or even a frothy latte. I love serving them alongside a platter of seasonal fruit or alongside a slice of rich Christmas pudding for dessert spreads.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to arrange the Christmas Pudding Cookies on a festive platter, surrounded by holly leaves and cinnamon sticks. Gift-wise, stacking them in glass jars tied with ribbons adds a homey, thoughtful touch that friends and family adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between parchment paper to prevent sticking. They stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days, but they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully. I usually freeze the dough balls on a sheet first, then pop them into a freezer bag. When I want fresh cookies, I bake them straight from frozen, just adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I pop a couple of cookies in the microwave for about 15 seconds or in a low oven for 5 minutes. This softens them back to that just-baked perfection I love.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use sugar-free pudding mix in this recipe?

Sugar-free pudding mix tends to alter the dough’s texture and sweetness, so I recommend sticking with regular instant vanilla pudding for the best soft and flavorful cookies.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days. Beyond that, freezing is your best bet to maintain freshness.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dough benefits from chilling anyway, so you can prepare it a day or two in advance and keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.

What’s the best way to prevent cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough before baking is key. It firms up the fat in the dough and slows spreading in the oven, giving you nicely shaped, soft cookies every time.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Christmas Pudding Cookies Recipe feels like a little bite of holiday magic every time you take one out of the oven. The ease, the festive colors, and that soft, tender crumb give me all the cozy Christmas vibes. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do — they’re the perfect treat to bring smiles and sweet memories during the season.