“Hello, lover.” <- that's what these grown-up M&M cookies say in the most lovingly of ways.

But really.

In two words: Dark. Chocolate.

Allow me to ask you a question, did you forget that Valentine's Day is tomorrow? Because it is. In case my instagram hasn't reminded you enough.

Have you forgotten to get your valentine something? Never fear. I'm here to give you the solution: dark chocolate M&M cookies sprinkled with sea salt.

I have it on good authority (mine) that the way to anyone's (my) heart is through their stomach.

I know you won't believe me but I am actually not a huge fan of the holiday. I think it's silly honestly. The only good thing about it is that it reminds us to express how much we love the people around us, especially our significant others. I'm not one of those people who will go on about how it was made up by Hallmark and the candy companies because I just don't see the point of dwelling over the origin and who benefits.

The idea of the holiday is a good one and I enjoy how it makes me remember to tell my boyfriend how much I love him all throughout February. However, I do feel slightly guilty even saying that because I should be expressing that everyday.

But life gets in the way… Cookies get in the way…

So when I was thinking about what to “get” Frankie for V-Day, I tried to think about the things he loves. He loves when I bake him things. I baked him this cake for the holiday one year with the themed milk chocolate M&Ms.

I haven't been able to bake for him in a while because I moved so far away. Luckily for him, I had some time in Seattle last weekend so I thought I'd mail him some cookies.

But these couldn't be just ANY cookies. My mind wandered to Jenny's Perfect M&M Cookies, which I made a few months ago and am STILL obsessing over. But I told myself I needed them to be more decadent… more intimate…

Is it possible to make intimate cookies? I think so.

Cue dark chocolate M&Ms and sea salt. In my cookies, I took out the purple M&Ms. I felt like they weren't that festive. Not that HE would notice. Whatever. But omg. The dark chocolate MAKES this combo work. Lately, I've been REALLY into dark chocolate over milk chocolate. It's quickly becoming my favorite.

This is coming from the girl who completely hated chocolate just three years ago. No really. Our first Valentine's Day together Frankie gave me a big bag of Hershey Kisses and appeared thoroughly confused when I insisted that I had told him I hate chocolate. Guess who ended up eating those Hershey Kisses? Yeah that's right, him. I'm still convinced he planned it that way.

Anywho. The sea salt is a must. I learned this trick when I was at a wine tasting even actually. The winery gave out chocolate chip cookies with sea salt and rosemary and they were ah-mazing.

Make these. It's quick. It's easy. It'll earn you a kiss. I promise.

Dark Chocolate M&M Sea Salt Cookies

Author: Ashley Renee
Prep Time: 18
Cook Time: 12
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 1x

Scale

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons vanilla instant pudding mix
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 & 1/2 cup dark chocolate M&M's
Sea Salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In your electric mixer cream the butter with the sugars. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing to combine. Mix in flour, pudding mix, kosher salt, and baking soda. Fold M&M's into the cookie dough by hand (to prevent breakage).
Using a cookie scoop, drop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat.
Lightly sprinkle the scoops of dough with sea salt.
Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until cooked through. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool before eating!