These Popcorn Cookies are loaded with chocolate chips, M&M's, pretzels, and caramel popcorn. Each cookie is soft and chewy and so delicious. It's everything you want in a cookie, plus so much more.
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I don't know about you, but I love a good cookie! It is estimated that Americans eat over 2 billion cookies a year. I won't tell you how many I consume each year, but let's just say I contribute to that number.
What I love most about cookies is that you can make them so many ways. You can use different baking chips to make salted caramel chocolate chip cookies.
You can also stuff them with candy like these cinnamon Rolo cookies, or you can use a cake mix and Oreos to make our popular cookies and cream cookies.
Why Make These
Sometimes you just have to clean out the pantry and use everything you find to make cookies. Popcorn and M&M's are the perfect movie night snack, so why not add them to cookies.
You're in for a treat with these soft and chewy popcorn cookies. Packed with pretzels, M&Ms, and caramel popcorn, these cookies take a classic recipe to a whole new level of deliciousness.
- Great texture! Each peanut butter cookie is soft and chewy, while the popcorn, pretzels, and candy add a sweet, crunchy texture.
- Easy to customize! This recipe is so easy to change up with whatever mix-ins you have on hand.
- No chilling needed. You can bake this cookie dough as soon as you make it!
Ingredients
These caramel corn cookies could also be called kitchen sink cookies. You can throw just about everything but the kitchen sink into them, and they will still be tasty!
- Peanut Butter - The base of this is a peanut butter cookie. You can use creamy or crunchy depending on your preference.
- Cornstarch - Helps to give baked goods a soft and tender texture.
- Caramel Popcorn - Feel free to use store bought caramel corn or homemade caramel corn in this recipe. It adds a chewy, sweet and salty flavor to the cookies.
- M&M's - I used regular M&M's in these, but you can use any variety. Try the pretzel ones for some additional crunch to this cookie.
- Baking Chips - Semi-sweet chocolate chips and caramel chips are a great combo, but you can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or peanut butter chips.
- Basic Kitchen Ingredients - You will also need eggs, flour, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, and salt.
Have extra M&M candies? Make a pan of M&M blonde brownies or a batch of M&M cookies.
How to Make Popcorn Cookies
Caramel corn cookies are so easy to make without having to have any special tools other than a mixer. A cookie scoop will make the portion sizes of the cookies equal, but it is not necessary.
- Mix the wet ingredients. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter, vanilla extract, and eggs and mix again.
- Add the dry ingredients. Slowly beat in the salt, baking soda, baking powder, and flour until a soft dough forms.
- Stir in the mix-ins. Gently stir in the caramel popcorn, chocolate chips, and colorful candies by hand.
- Scoop and bake. Use a cookie scoop to make 36 even dough balls. Press a few extra M&M candies on the top of each one. Bake until set.
BruCrew Tip: Press extra chocolate chips into the tops of the hot cookies and sprinkle them with a little bit of sea salt to make them look like they came from a bakery.
Storage
On the Counter - You can store the cooled cookies in a cookie jar or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
In the Freezer - These popcorn cookies can be frozen. Simply place them in a freezer safe container and freeze them for up to 2 months. Set out on the counter to thaw them out.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some of our favorite cookie making tricks. Use them when making these caramel corn cookies, so they turn out right every time.
- Soften your butter properly. Make sure that your butter is softened properly before mixing it with the sugar. This will ensure that the dough is smooth and easy to work with.
- Use fresh popcorn. If you're making your own caramel popcorn, make sure that it's fresh and not stale. Stale popcorn can affect the texture of the cookies and make them less enjoyable.
- Chop the popcorn into small pieces. Chop the popcorn into small pieces so that it's evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. This will also make it easier to shape the cookies.
- Use a cookie scoop. Using a cookie scoop will help you create uniform-sized cookies and ensure that they bake evenly.
- Don't over bake. Over baking the cookies can make them dry and hard. Bake them until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set.
- Let them cool completely. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This will help them finish baking and also prevent them from breaking apart.
FAQ
You can use any type of popcorn for this recipe, but it's best to use plain or lightly salted popcorn. Avoid using heavily buttered popcorn as it may affect the flavor of the cookies.
Yes, store-bought caramel popcorn makes it easier to make this recipe. Just make sure to chop the popcorn into smaller pieces, so that it is evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Caramel popcorn cookies can last up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to extend their shelf life, you can store them in the fridge or freezer.
Yes, you can freeze caramel popcorn cookies for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Yes, you can substitute the caramel popcorn with other ingredients such as chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped nuts. Just make sure to adjust the recipe accordingly.
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Recipe
Popcorn Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped caramel corn
- 1 cup chopped pretzels
- ¾ cup M&M’s, divided
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup caramel chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
- Beat the butter, sugars, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and eggs and mix again.
- Slowly mix in the salt, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch, and flour until a soft dough forms.
- Gently stir in the caramel corn, pretzels, ½ cup M&M’s and baking chips by hand.
- Scoop 36 dough balls and place on baking sheet. Press a few M&M's into the tops. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set.
- Let the cookies cool on the hot baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then move to a wire rack. Press a few extra baking chips into the tops of the hot cookies. Let set until cooled completely.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 212Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 3g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for caramel corn pretzel cookies was first published November 2011. It was updated March 2023.
Jenn
Hi: these look amazing!! Approximately how many cookies dies one batch make? Thanks!!
Jocelyn
It's been a while since I have made them, but I want to say around 3 dozen cookies or so.
Jenn
Awesome!! Thank you!! I have to make 9 doz for a cookie swap and I love these!
Eftychia
Delicious Cookies! Thanks for sharing.
4Sisters
Isn't that what vacuums are for? I know mine earns it's keep 🙂 These look delicious. I'll be featuring these tomorrow in my November wrap up of the Holiday Sweet Swap. Thanks for sharing!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
Shelly @A Creative Space
I think your secret ingredient is the pretzels!
Jenn "Rook No. 17"
Jocelyn, the cookies sound great and I love that you shared your secret photography studio 😉
It's funny the lengths we have to go to to get good lighting and a nice photo. Your photos always look fantastic!
In this week of Thanksgiving I especially want you to know how grateful I am to have you be a part of the creative spirit and camaraderie at Rook No. 17. Thank you for linking up to “A Little Birdie Told Me…”!
Yours,
Jenn
MaryBe
I followed the trail of cookie crumbs over here from Southern Lovely - you are hysterical!
I pinned these, they look great!
Lindsay
Oh my, that looks pretty amazing! I have never heard of that combination. Creative! Thanks for sharing this @ Show & Share. I am so happy to have you!
Pretend Chef
These look so delicious.
Amy
Those sound delicious! Would you share here?
http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/11/shine-on-fridays-2-and-some-fabulous.html
B. Haven Boutique
I really like your blog. I am your newest follower!! I am new to blogger, but am excited to share my New boutique that is coming soon with the latest trends on clothing at affordable prices. I also will be selling Mineral Makeup. I will be giving a lot of free giveaways here shortly for our grand opening! I hope you will stop by my blog and follow me back and like my facebook... And Look out for free giveaways on makeup and clothing 🙂
-B. Haven
bhavenboutique.blogspot.com
Raina
I am in love with the sweet and salty combo of caramel and pretzels too. These cookies sound yummy:)
carissa at lowercase letters
oh my word... your camera does really good work in your bathroom! LOL. this is hilarious. have i been missing out on a prime picture spot this whole time? ...off to check out my bathroom's lighting. 😉
The Miller Five
Ha ha ha ha ha....I am right there with you on all of your confessions....except the bathroom one. I'm a crappy photographer as it is....taking one in the loo is probably not going to improve my skills! I'm guessing it had something to do with the lighting? LOL
Nat
🙂 Ha! You made my day! 🙂
Nat
doodlecraft.blogspot
The Better Baker
This is truly MY kind of cookie! (Even if the photos are taken in the bathroom!) You have a great sense of humor...and beautiful family too. So glad I saw this...pinning now. =)
Michele {The Scrap Shoppe}
Oh my goodness, you crack me up, Jocelyn! (And I'll never look at your scrumptious treats the same way again. lol!!) While I haven't used the bathroom for photo taking, I have discovered that the laundry room has excellent late night picture taking qualities. 😉 These cookies look yummy!
Mandy
These look so tasty! Thanks for being the first to link up today! Enjoy your day 🙂
Mrs. C
I have to confess that ill vacuum over something 4 times just to avoid picking it up...i know, so lazy!
Joan@chocolateandmore
I've also taken pictures in my bathroom, it's got the best natural light in the house, lol
Aimee
I'd like to know more about this picture taking in the bathroom. Do you get a lot of light in there???
Anyways, as for confessions, so far today I have eaten TWO cookies, 3 cups of coffee, and that's it.