Movie Night Cookies Recipe

A plate of movie theater cookies, alongside a bowl of colorful M&Ms and pretzel sticks.

5 from 1 vote

Ready for a movie night like no other? These Movie Night Cookies are stuffed with M&Ms, pretzel bits, and kettle corn, making every bite a fun surprise!

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: cookies

Calories: 200kcal

Author: Andrea

Equipment

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar packed
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup popped kettle corn
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup M&Ms (regular or mini)
1/3 cup pretzel bits broken

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or baking mats, and set them aside.
Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30-45 seconds (full strength) or until it's almost completely melted but has a few soft pieces left.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), beat together the butter, sugars, and vanilla for 1 minute. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing in between additions. Turn the mixing speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients. Beat until combined or until a soft cookie dough forms. Fold in the popcorn, chocolate chips, M&Ms, and pretzel bits. You can either bake the dough immediately or chill it for 2-3 hours for thicker, chewier cookies.
To bake the cookies, use a standard-size cookie scoop (approximately 1.5 tablespoon of the mixture) to form balls of dough. Place them onto the prepared sheets, leaving at least 2 inches in between.
Place the cookies in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through the baking process. Remove from the oven when the cookies are golden brown around the edges. Let them cool on the pan for 3-4 minutes, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

-For a fun twist, try swapping kettle corn with toffee bits or caramel corn in these cookies!

To keep your Movie Theater Cookies fresh, STORE them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

For longer storage, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and FREEZE until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they can be frozen for up to three months.

When you're ready to enjoy them, let the cookies thaw at room temperature. If you prefer warm cookies, REHEAT them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for about 5 minutes. Alternatively, microwave them for 10-15 seconds until warmed through.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or baking mats, and set them aside.

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