Chocolate and Vanilla M&M Cookies

I've seen a couple of recipes lately for chocolate M&M cookies, and thought that they might be yummy.  But....I really like just plain M&M cookies too.  So, true to form, I decided not to decide and made them both...as one!  I smooshed the two cookies together and came up with a winner.  I've always had trouble with half and half cookies until I finally figured it out with these Marbled Orange Chocolate Chunk Cookies.  These cookies are pretty easy because you start with one dough, then divide it at the very end.  The chocolate half has M&Ms and white chocolate chips and the vanilla dough has M&Ms and semi sweet chocolate chips.  They are so delicious, and they look cute too!

Chocolate and Vanilla M&M Cookies

2/3 cup (10 2/3 Tablespoons) butter, room temperature
2/3 cup (10 2/3 Tablespoons) shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup mini M&Ms, divided

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.

Cream together the butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Add the 2 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, and salt, and beat until just combined. Divide dough in half, and place one half in a separate bowl.  Beat 1/4 cup flour into one half of the dough and 1/4 cup cocoa powder into the other half of the dough. Add the chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of the M&Ms to the vanilla dough and beat on low until evenly distributed.  To the chocolate dough, add the white chocolate chips and remaining 1/2 cup of M%Ms and stir until evenly distributed.

Using a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop one ball of the vanilla dough and one ball of the chocolate dough, and press the two balls together.  Place on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.  Repeat with the remaining cookies.  Bake in the preheated oven for 11 to 13 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges and just set in the center.  Remove cookies from the oven and let cool on the pan for several minutes.  Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Makes about 30 cookies.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy