Easy & Nostalgic Graham Cracker Cookies: The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Treat

Get ready to whisk yourself back to childhood with these delightful Graham Cracker Cookies! This recipe isn’t just about baking; it’s about creating happy memories, filling your home with a sweet aroma, and enjoying a treat that’s both simple to make and incredibly satisfying. We’re transforming humble graham crackers into soft, chewy cookies bursting with chocolate chips, colorful M&M’s, and a satisfying crunch of nuts. It’s a recipe so straightforward, your kids can easily join in the fun, making it the perfect family activity.

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Graham Cracker Cookies

3.3 from 95 votes

Prep time:
15 minutes

Cook time:
8-10 minutes

Total time:
25 minutes

This Graham Cracker Cookies recipe is a keeper. It’s a simple and fun way to transform graham crackers into delightful cookies that bring back nostalgic memories. The addition of nuts, chocolate chips, and M&M’s adds extra texture and flavor, making them a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup granulated white sugar

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 10-12 full graham crackers)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 cup candy-coated milk chocolate pieces (like M&M’s)

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)

Directions

• Step 1: Cream Wet Ingredients

  In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated white sugar, and packed light brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Next, beat in the large egg and pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

• Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

  In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, graham cracker crumbs, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Once the flour streaks are almost gone, gently fold in the chocolate chips, candy-coated milk chocolate pieces (M&M’s), and chopped nuts using a spatula or wooden spoon until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

• Step 3: Prepare for Baking

  Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Drop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets, ensuring they are spaced about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading. For an extra pop of color and visual appeal, press 2 or 3 additional M&M candies onto the top of each dough ball, if desired.

• Step 4: Bake and Cool

  Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the centers are still slightly soft. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary between ovens. Once baked, remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 3 minutes. This allows them to set before transferring. Then, carefully transfer the warm cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Graham Cracker Cookies

Beyond the simple fact that they’re utterly delicious, these Graham Cracker Cookies offer a unique blend of benefits that make them a go-to recipe for any home baker:

• Effortlessly Simple: With straightforward instructions and common pantry ingredients, this recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. You don’t need any fancy equipment or complex techniques.
• A Taste of Nostalgia: Graham crackers evoke memories of childhood snacks and s’mores around a campfire. These cookies capture that comforting, familiar flavor in a delightful new form.
• Kid-Friendly Fun: The process is easy enough for children to help with, from crushing graham crackers to stirring in the colorful M&M’s. It’s a fantastic way to introduce them to the joy of baking and create cherished family moments.
• Customizable Delights: While M&M’s, chocolate chips, and pecans are a classic combination, this recipe is highly adaptable. Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you need a quick after-school snack, a treat for a potluck, or something sweet to share with friends, these cookies are always a hit.

Pro Tips for Perfect Graham Cracker Cookies Every Time

Even the simplest recipes can benefit from a few expert tips to ensure optimal results. Follow these suggestions to make your Graham Cracker Cookies truly exceptional:

• Softened Butter is Key: Ensure your butter is properly softened, but not melted. It should give slightly when pressed, allowing it to cream beautifully with the sugars, creating a light, airy base for your cookies.
• Measure Flour Correctly: For the most accurate measurement, spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to too much flour and dry cookies.
• Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher, chewier cookies instead of tender ones.
• Uniform Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop or carefully measure your dough portions to ensure all cookies are roughly the same size. This promotes even baking and prevents some cookies from burning while others are underdone.
• The M&M Press: Adding a few extra M&M’s to the top of the dough balls before baking isn’t just for aesthetics; it helps these colorful candies stand out and melt beautifully on the surface.
• Watch Your Oven: Ovens can vary significantly. Keep an eye on your cookies during the last few minutes of baking. They’re done when the edges are set and lightly golden, and the centers still look a little soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
• Cooling Process: Allowing the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking apart.

Creative Variations & Customizations

Part of the fun of baking is making a recipe your own! Here are some ideas to customize your Graham Cracker Cookies:

• Nut Alternatives: If pecans aren’t your favorite, try chopped walnuts, almonds, or even a mix of different nuts for varied texture and flavor. For a nut-free version, simply omit them.
• Chocolate Choices: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips – milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even a blend! Butterscotch or peanut butter chips could also add an interesting twist.
• Candy Craze: Instead of M&M’s, consider using other small candies like Reese’s Pieces, chopped candy bars, or even festive sprinkles for holiday-themed cookies.
• S’mores Style: Add mini marshmallows along with the chocolate chips and bake briefly until the marshmallows are just toasted. This brings an even stronger s’mores vibe!
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of pumpkin pie spice can enhance the graham cracker flavor, especially during autumn.
• Oatmeal Crunch: Replace a quarter cup of the all-purpose flour with old-fashioned rolled oats for a chewier texture.

Storage Tips

Proper storage ensures your delicious Graham Cracker Cookies stay fresh and enjoyable for longer:

• Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. Placing a slice of bread in the container can help keep them soft.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: For longer storage, freeze baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Freezing Dough: You can also freeze portions of unbaked cookie dough. Scoop individual dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place frozen dough on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What kind of graham crackers should I use?

Any plain or honey-flavored graham crackers work well. Simply crush them into fine crumbs. You can use a food processor for a fine, consistent crumb, or place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin for a slightly coarser texture.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While the original recipe calls for “margarine”, butter generally provides a richer flavor and better texture in cookies. If you use margarine, ensure it’s a stick margarine (not tub) and has at least 80% fat content for best results. Be aware that the texture might be slightly different.

My cookies spread too much. What went wrong?

Several factors can cause cookies to spread: your butter might have been too warm (melted instead of softened), you might have used too little flour, your oven temperature could be inaccurate (too low), or you didn’t chill the dough. For thicker cookies, try chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Can I make this recipe without nuts?

Absolutely! If you have nut allergies or simply don’t like nuts, feel free to omit them entirely. The cookies will still be delicious with just the chocolate chips and M&M’s.

How many cookies does this recipe yield?

This recipe typically yields about 24 medium-sized cookies, depending on how large you scoop them.

Bake Up Some Happiness Today!

I was feeling a bit nostalgic when I first rediscovered this Graham Cracker Cookies recipe. The idea of transforming simple, everyday graham crackers into something so utterly special and comforting truly intrigued me, and I knew instantly it would be a huge hit with my family. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create, to share, and to savor simple joys.

Gathering the ingredients, including the vibrant M&M’s, rich chocolate chips, and crunchy pecans, felt like preparing for a mini celebration. The process itself, especially involving my kids, was a delight. We crushed the graham crackers together, mixed the dough, and watched as the magic unfolded in the oven.

The aroma that filled our kitchen was pure bliss, a warm and inviting scent that promised deliciousness. And when the cookies finally emerged, golden and perfectly baked, they exceeded all expectations. The blend of the subtly spiced graham cracker base with the pockets of melted chocolate, the delightful chewiness of M&M’s, and the nutty crunch was simply irresistible. Each bite was a sweet journey back to simpler times.

My kids were absolutely thrilled, not just by the taste, but by the pride of having helped create such a fantastic treat. Moments like these, gathered around a plate of warm, homemade cookies, are truly precious. These Graham Cracker Cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a testament to the joy of baking and the power of food to bring people together. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and create some wonderful new memories today!