A few years ago, I decided to go an entire month without eating any sugar. No treats, no added sugars, nothing! It was brutal. I was hoping it would help me break my sugar addiction, and everyone in the world assured me that I would, “feel so much better.” I didn’t think I felt bad to begin with, but if only to prove to myself that I could, I decided to give it a try.

On day 29 of my sugar fast, I drove home to visit my family. After spending 9 hours in the car with a cranky baby, I finally arrived; exhausted and hungry. I walked into the door to the smell of my favorite cookies in the world, fresh from the oven.

There was only one day left in my month long sugar fast. I waffled for approximately 0.5 seconds before stuffing a cookie in my mouth. It. Was. Heaven. Since I’d already ruined my sugar fast, I decided I might as well eat 1 or 7 more.

And you know what? I have zero regrets. First of all, I felt absolutely zero difference in my month of no sugar. I just felt sad at all of the delicious things I missed out on. And I felt angry at everyone who ate delicious things in front of me. I had serious dessert FOMO. And second of all, these cookies were absolutely worth missing my goal by one day.

My siblings and I are all fully grown adults, and we still beg my mom to make these cookies when we come home. And I know how to make them myself, and they are still crazy delicious, but they will never be more delicious than when my mommy makes them for me.

The Best M&M Cookies

These are different than just a chocolate chip cookie recipe with M&Ms instead of chocolate chips. They are sort of bakery style, with a thick and chewy cookie that’s studded with M&Ms. The M&Ms pressed on top of the cookies before baking make them so cute, too.

The texture of the cookie is sort of a mix between a sugar cookie and a chocolate chip cookie. Slightly crisp edges with chewy and dense centers. The texture is sort of in between my perfect chocolate chips cookies and these copycat swig cookies. Not crunchy or cakey or gooey. Just the right texture that bends instead of snaps and still holds it shape. They don’t fall apart or stick together, so they are perfect for taking to parties or giving away. If they can make it out of your house, that is.

Now that I’ve got you all excited about these cookies, I need to tell you something that may challenge your foodie sensibilities. These cookies are made with… gulp… shortening. Guys, I tried them with all butter. I tried half butter, half shortening. It just doesn’t work. They spread and get greasy and aren’t right. I’m not telling you to slather some lard on your toast or put shortening in your mashed potatoes. Just for a moment, set aside your prejudice for the slippery stuff, make these cookies.

I stake my reputation on their deliciousness.