Soft Chewy Biscoff Treats

This hearty Biscoff Cookie Butter Cookies recipe transforms the beloved speculoos spread into irresistibly soft and chewy cookies with warm notes of cinnamon and ginger. The optional M&Ms add a colorful crunch that makes these treats perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you need a special sweet.

I first made these cookies during the holiday season when my cookie butter obsession was at its peak. The batch disappeared within hours at our family gathering, and now they've become our signature treat for special occasions.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: 1 ½ cups provides structure while keeping cookies tender
• Baking soda: ¾ teaspoon gives the perfect rise without making them cakey
• Baking powder: 1 teaspoon works with baking soda for ideal texture
• Salt: 1 teaspoon balances the sweetness and enhances flavor
• Butter: ½ cup use room temperature for proper creaming with sugar
• Granulated sugar: ½ cup creates crisp edges and sweetness
• Brown sugar: ½ cup adds moisture and a caramel undertone
• Egg: 1 large binds ingredients and provides structure
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon enhances all other flavors
• Biscoff spread: 1 cup the star ingredient that gives these cookies their distinctive flavor
• M&Ms: 1 ½ cups adds color and texture contrast

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the oven and pan:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This temperature creates the perfect environment for cookies to spread slightly while maintaining thick centers.

Mix dry ingredients:

Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl until well combined. Mixing these separately ensures even distribution of leavening agents throughout the dough.

Cream butter and sugars:

Using an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter with both sugars on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the dough, which helps create soft cookies.

Add wet ingredients:

Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined. Then add the Biscoff cookie butter and mix for another 30 seconds to 1 minute until smooth and creamy. The cookie butter should be fully integrated into the mixture.

Combine wet and dry:

Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and beat just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can develop too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies. Gently fold in your M&Ms or other add-ins, reserving some for topping.

Shape the cookies:

Scoop rounded spoonfuls of dough using a cookie scoop or large spoon. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Gently press down on each ball to slightly flatten, but maintain thickness for a soft center.

Bake to perfection:

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. The centers may still look slightly underdone, which is exactly what you want for soft, chewy cookies. Press a few reserved M&Ms on top of each cookie right after baking for presentation.

Cool before serving:

Transfer cookies to a wire rack and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, developing their final texture and flavor profile.

Bookmark

The Biscoff spread is truly the magical ingredient in these cookies. I discovered its transformative power when my daughter suggested adding it to our regular chocolate chip recipe. The distinct caramelized flavor completely elevates these from ordinary to extraordinary, making them impossible to resist.

Storage Tips

These cookies maintain their soft, chewy texture for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The flavor actually intensifies after the first day, making them perfect for make-ahead treats. For longer storage, place cooled cookies in freezer bags with parchment between layers and freeze for up to 3 months. The cookie dough also freezes beautifully. Form into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to freezer bags and bake straight from frozen, adding just 1 to 2 minutes to the baking time.

Mix-in Variations

While M&Ms create a festive appearance perfect for holidays, these versatile cookies welcome numerous variations. White chocolate chips complement the spiced cookie butter beautifully, while chopped Biscoff cookies add extra texture and intensify the flavor profile. Dark chocolate chunks provide a sophisticated contrast to the warm spices, and chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts introduce a pleasant crunch. During fall, try mixing in butterscotch chips for an extra caramel note that enhances the cookie butter.

The Biscoff Story

Biscoff cookie butter originates from the popular European speculoos cookies that have been enjoyed for centuries, particularly in Belgium and the Netherlands. These spiced shortcrust biscuits traditionally served during the St. Nicholas holiday gained worldwide fame when Delta Airlines began offering them as inflight snacks. The genius transformation into spreadable form happened in 2007 when a Belgian contestant on a reality show created what became Biscoff spread. The distinct caramelized flavor with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves makes it an irresistible ingredient that has inspired countless recipes, including these delectable cookies.

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I substitute the M&Ms for other mix-ins?

Absolutely! While M&Ms add color and crunch, you can substitute chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, chopped nuts, or even crushed Biscoff cookies for different texture and flavor combinations.

→ How do I know when these cookies are done baking?

Look for golden edges while the centers still appear slightly underdone. They'll continue baking on the hot cookie sheet after removal from the oven. This ensures they remain soft and chewy once cooled.

→ Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes! Portion the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, you can place the frozen dough balls directly on your baking sheet and add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

→ Where can I find Biscoff spread?

Biscoff spread (cookie butter) is widely available in most grocery stores in the peanut butter/spread section. It's also available online through various retailers if you can't find it locally.

→ How should I store these cookies?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container with parchment between layers for up to 3 months.

→ What makes these cookies so soft and chewy?

The combination of both brown and white sugar creates the perfect chewy texture, while the addition of Biscoff spread adds moisture and prevents drying out. The key is also not overbaking - remove from the oven when the edges are just set.