Before I had children of my own, I worked as an Au Pair. The morning before one particular job interview for a family, I made a batch of these cookies. I bought some along with me to the interview & everyone loved them! Bonus, I got the job! We all joked that it was because of the delicious cookies that I was hired & somehow they became known as mind control cookies. Years have passed since I made that first batch & those children are now teenagers & still ask me to make them! I usually use regular milk chocolate chips, but as it’s christmas I thought why not add some red & green M&M’s?!

These cookies are very simple to make, & freeze well too. They would make a great addition to your christmas dessert table!

Makes about 15 cookies

Ingredients:

250g Unsalted butter, room temperature

1 Cup packed brown sugar

1/4 Cup white sugar

2 Large eggs, room temperature

1 Teaspoon, good quality vanilla extract

256g All purpose flour

1 Teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

3 Cups quick oats

165g Red & Green M&Ms

Method:

In a large bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment fitted (or a hand held electric mixer) cream the butter untill fluffy.

Add in the sugars & cream for 2-3 minutes, until pale & light & fluffy, Scrape the bowl down as needed.

Next, mix in the eggs, one at a time.

Mix in the vanilla.

Place a mesh sieve over the bowl & sift together the flour, baking soda & salt.

Mix until well combined.

Add in the oats & mix on low speed until all mixed in.

Stir in the M&Ms.

Cover the bowl & transfer to the fridge to chill for half an hour, or up to two days.

Preheat oven to 180c & line two 38cm x 26cm baking sheets with baking paper.

Scoop the dough into evenly sized balls. I like to weigh mine just to be sure. If you are using a scale, you want each ball to be between 60 & 70 grams. I only bake 6 balls per tray so they have room to spread.

Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden around the edges.

Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes & enjoy!