If you are looking for that ultimate festive treat that fills your home with warmth, joy, and irresistible aroma, this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine soft, chewy cookies bursting with rich semisweet chocolate chips, plus the vivid pops of red and green candy-coated chocolates and sprinkles that bring the holiday spirit to every bite. Whether you’re sharing with family or gifting to friends, these cookies combine classic comfort with colorful cheer to make your Christmas celebrations truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe so fantastic is how humble ingredients come together to create magic. Each element contributes a layer of flavor, texture, and that perfect holiday vibe, all while keeping the process wonderfully simple.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for tender, chewy cookies with just the right structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise perfectly and gives them a light texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and keeps cookies moist and irresistible.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Brings sweetness and contributes to a slightly crisp edge.
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed: Infuses a deep, caramel-like flavor and chewiness.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture for soft cookies.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Amplifies the sweetness and rounds out the flavor.
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips: The star ingredient for melty, chocolaty goodness.
- 1/2 cup red and green candy-coated chocolates: Brings festive color and a satisfying crunch.
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles: Adds sparkle and makes every bite feel like a celebration.
How to Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup—this little prep step will save you some stress later!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Combining these first helps them distribute evenly through the dough, giving your cookies consistent texture and flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter along with both the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process introduces air that helps keep the cookies soft and adds to their delightful texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure smooth incorporation, then stir in the vanilla extract. These ingredients bring moisture, richness, and that warm vanilla note that feels like a cozy hug.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough. This balance is key to wonderfully tender cookies.
Step 6: Stir in the Festive Goodies
Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolates, and holiday sprinkles. Each of these festive additions offers bursts of color, texture, and chocolatey delight that make this recipe truly special for Christmas.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft and inviting.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step ensures they set beautifully without breaking apart.
How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra holiday charm, sprinkle a tiny pinch of festive colored sugar or crushed peppermint candy on top just after baking, while the cookies are still warm. It adds sparkle and a subtle minty contrast that complements the chocolate chips perfectly.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair delightfully well with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream. For a grown-up twist, try serving alongside spiced mulled wine or a rich holiday coffee to truly enhance the festive flavor experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe in a decorative holiday tin or stack them on festive plates wrapped with ribbon for gifting. You can even make a cookie platter featuring these alongside gingerbread men and peppermint bark to create a stunning holiday dessert spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay fresh and soft for up to 5 days. Layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months, perfect for making festive treats in advance.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, pop cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This revives their softness and makes chocolate melty again, like fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the unsalted butter with a dairy-free alternative like vegan butter or coconut oil. Just keep in mind that coconut oil might add a slight coconut flavor, which can be quite delightful with the chocolate and festive mix-ins.
What if I don’t have candy-coated chocolates?
No worries! You can use extra chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even chopped nuts for texture. The candy-coated chocolates add color and crunch, but the core flavors shine through regardless.
Can I add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough?
Yes, adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg is a wonderful way to enhance the holiday spirit in this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These warm spices complement the chocolate and candy perfectly and add a cozy aromatic touch.
How do I make cookies chewier?
For extra chewy cookies, try slightly underbaking them by removing them from the oven right when the edges are set but the centers still look soft. Using more brown sugar, as in this recipe, naturally contributes to a chewier texture as well.
Can I double this recipe?
Definitely! This recipe doubles beautifully. Just be sure to mix the dough in a sufficiently large bowl and bake on multiple sheets, rotating them halfway through baking for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough that you give this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe a try this holiday season. It combines all the nostalgia of classic chocolate chip cookies with the festive cheer of colorful candies and sprinkles, making every bite feel like a celebration. Baking these cookies is sure to become a beloved tradition, bringing warmth, laughter, and sweetness into your home and heart.
Print
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive twist on the classic treat, featuring colorful red and green candy-coated chocolates and holiday sprinkles baked into a buttery, soft cookie. Perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting, these cookies combine a tender texture with festive flavors and are easy to whip up with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-ins
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup red and green candy-coated chocolates (like M&M’s)
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure even baking and easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined to ensure even distribution in the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a creamy base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, red and green candy-coated chocolates, and holiday sprinkles to evenly distribute the festive additions throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden while centers remain soft for the perfect chewy texture.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- For extra festive flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
- You can substitute white chocolate chips or peppermint chips for variety and different flavor profiles.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake them and allow them to finish setting as they cool.
