Grandma Barb's M & M Cookie Recipe

Grandma Barb's M & M Cookies

16 oz. M& M's plain chocolate candies
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans, if desired (I do not use them)

Coarsely chop 1 1/2 cups candies, reserving the remaining for decoration on top.
Beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
Blend in eggs and vanilla.
Add combined flour, soda, and salt.
Mix well.
Stir in chopped candies and nuts.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately press 3 reserved candies into top of each cookie. 
Cool on wire rack.
Makes about 5 dozen cookies. 

My mom used to make these on Popsicle sticks for my birthday treats.  Shape the batter into 2 Tablespoon sized balls around the end of a Popsicle stick.  Adjust baking time...they will need to cook longer.