Game Day Cookies are festive, chewy, and loaded with crowd-pleasing flavors like chocolate chips, M&Ms, and crunchy add-ins. Perfect for football season, tailgates, or sports-themed parties, these Festive Game Treats are easy to customize with team colors and ingredients your crew loves. They’re a guaranteed win whether your team is or not!
Why You’ll Love Game Day Cookies
This Game Day Cookies recipe is a standout Festive Game Treat:
- Chewy Texture: Soft centers with golden edges for perfect bites.
- Quick to Make: Ready in about 30 minutes for last-minute gatherings.
- Customizable: Match team colors or add favorite mix-ins.
- Portable: Ideal for tailgates or watch parties.
- I baked these for a game night, and they were the ultimate Festive Game Treat!
Ingredients for Game Day Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need for Game Day Cookies (makes about 24 cookies):
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks
- 1 cup M&Ms (team-colored if desired)
- Optional:
- ½ cup crushed pretzels or potato chips
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- ¼ cup sprinkles
- ½ cup peanut butter chips or white chocolate chips
Ingredient Tips:
- Flour: Measure accurately to avoid dense cookies.
- Butter: Softened but not melted for proper creaming.
- M&Ms: Use team colors or seasonal mixes for festive flair.
- Add-Ins: Check for gluten-free or nut-free options if needed.
- Equipment: Baking sheet, parchment paper, mixer, cookie scoop.
Directions for Game Day Cookies
Let’s bake these crowd-pleasing Game Day Cookies!
Preheat and Prep
I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, I whisk 2 ¼ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and ½ tsp salt, then set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, I cream 1 cup softened butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, and ½ cup granulated sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients
I add 2 eggs one at a time, beating well, then mix in 2 tsp vanilla extract for rich flavor in Game Day Cookies.
Combine Mixtures
I gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low speed until just combined to keep the cookies soft.
Fold in Mix-Ins
I fold in 1 cup chocolate chips, 1 cup M&Ms, and optional add-ins like ½ cup crushed pretzels or ½ cup nuts, ensuring even distribution.
Shape and Bake
I scoop dough into 2-tbsp portions, rolling into balls, and place them on the baking sheet, leaving 2 inches of space. I bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are golden but centers are still soft. For cookies with marshmallows, I press a few minis into each cookie right after baking.
Cool Cookies
I let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: ~30 minutes
- Servings: 30 cookies
- Calories: ~180 kcal per cookie
- Macros per Serving: 25g carbs, 2g protein, 9g fat, 1g fiber
Variations for Game Day Cookies
Try these twists on Game Day Cookies:
- Team Spirit: Use M&Ms or sprinkles in your team’s colors.
- Sweet-Salty: Add ½ cup crushed potato chips for crunch.
- Sandwich Style: Sandwich with marshmallow fluff or peanut butter filling.
- Decadent: Mix in ½ cup toffee bits or caramel chunks.
- Mini Sliders: Pair small cookies with frosting and mini chocolate disks for “sliders.”
- Nut-Free: Skip nuts and use extra chocolate or sprinkles.
- Gluten-Free: Swap flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
Storage
I store Game Day Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, adding a slice of bread to keep them soft. For longer storage, I freeze dough balls or baked cookies for up to 2 months. To refresh, I microwave baked cookies for 10 seconds for a warm, gooey texture.
Serving Ideas
Make your Game Day Cookies a star Festive Game Treat:
- Classic: Serve as a Festive Game Treat on a platter with team-colored napkins.
- Garnish: Sprinkle extra M&Ms or edible glitter for flair.
- Pairing: Enjoy with cold milk, hot cocoa, or game-day drinks like beer.
- Presentation: Stack in a football-shaped bowl for theme.
- Occasion: Perfect for tailgates, Super Bowl parties, or kids’ sports events.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Chill the dough for up to 48 hours or freeze it for future baking.
What’s the best way to color-match M&Ms?
Buy color-specific M&Ms online or use holiday mixes that match your team’s colors.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Check that all mix-ins are also gluten-free.
Why are my cookies flat?
Make sure your butter isn’t too soft and chill the dough if it’s very warm or sticky.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, just reduce the added salt slightly.
Can I make smaller or larger cookies?
Absolutely—adjust the bake time slightly depending on the size.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Not required, but chilling for 30 minutes helps the cookies hold their shape and intensifies the flavor.
Can I add peanut butter?
Yes, replace part of the butter with peanut butter or stir in peanut butter chips.
What makes these great for game day?
They’re easy to share, hold, and customize—plus, they add fun, festive energy to any sports gathering.
Can I use white chocolate or dark chocolate?
Definitely! Mix and match for your ideal flavor combo.
More Summer Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
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- Strawberry Fudge Recipe
- Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
- Pear Dump Cake: A Sweet Summer Treat
Conclusion
Game Day Cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleasing treat for sports fans and snack lovers alike. They’re chewy, colorful, and packed with fun textures and flavors—plus, they’re super easy to make ahead or bake in batches. Whether you’re hosting a big party or watching from the couch, these Festive Game Treats will keep your game day deliciously sweet.
Game Day Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces team colors, if possible
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, candy-coated pieces, and nuts if using.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use candy colors that match your favorite team to make them more festive!
- You can freeze the dough balls for later and bake straight from frozen — just add 2 more minutes to the baking time.
- Swap chocolate chips for peanut butter chips or white chocolate for fun variations.
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