"My Favorite Year" and a cookie

Another one of our family's favorite movies is "My Favorite Year," about a young comedy writer on a TV show during the 1950's. The story is about the time he is called upon to "babysit" the show's guest star for the week, a character based on the actor Errol Flynn. I know, it's not about Christmas, but there's a cringe-worthy scene where Benjy must take his guest star to have dinner with his family in Brooklyn, oy! I am sure none of you have folks who embarrass you and your guests---you lucky ones. With my folks it was mandatory to make me squirm and blush with their little family tales. Hey, what good are the holidays without your family trying to make you look like a fool, especially in front of someone you are trying to impress.

This cookie recipe reminds of watching this movie with my kids. It originally came with a little booklet (no longer published) by the good people who make M&M's candy. Like this movie, this cookie is tender, soft, sweet, and a little nutty. Enjoy!

M&M’s Classic Christmas Cookies – adapted from M&M’s website

1 cup (2 sticks or 240mL) butter or margarine softened
1/2 cup (120mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (120mL) firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (480mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups (12 ounces) M&M'S® Red & Green peanut candy
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). In a mixer bowl fitted with paddle attachment cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt onto a sheet of waxed paper. Slowly blend into creamed mixture. Stir in M&M'S gently by hand. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls about 2 inches (50mm) apart onto cookie sheets lined with parchment. Press one or two additional candies on top of each cookie if desired. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or just until edges are lightly browned and centers are still soft. Do not burninate these cookies. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets to allow carry-over cooking, and then gently remove with a spatula to cool completely on wire racks. Some candy pieces will split, and the color will spread, fear not, this is normal. Store in a tightly covered container, or place in bags for gifts. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.