M&M Ultimate Chocolate Cookies

This is a new cookie recipe my mother decided to try making for Christmas this year. Though they aren't particularly Christmas-themed cookies, they are a colorful addition to a Christmas cookie tray. They could be made more festive if only red and green candies are used (packages of those are available to buy - you don't need to sort through the colors yourself!). This cookies are very chocolaty, rich and soft and delicious. I myself am not a huge candy fan, but the candies soften in these cookies and don't make them crunchy. My mom made the cookies fairly small and got about four dozen of them, but they can be made larger and flatter if you wish. They can also be baked shorter or longer for chewier or crisper cookies, and chopped nuts may be added if you wish. The recipe comes from a magazine clipping.

M&M Ultimate Chocolate Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or hard margarine, softened
1 cup granulated (white) sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose (plain) flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cup miniature candy coated chocolates 

Preheat oven to 350◦F. Grease or line cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
In a separate medium bowl, stir together the next four dry ingredients. Gradually add to the butter mixture. Stir in candies.
Drop dough by rounded half tablespoons two inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until just set - cookies will be soft.