Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that hits all the right notes—chocolaty, colorful, and impossibly chewy—I absolutely love sharing this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe with you. When I first made these, my whole family went crazy for the combination of semi-sweet, white chocolate, and those cheerful red and green M&Ms and sprinkles. Truly, these cookies feel like a celebration in every bite, and I promise you’ll soon find yourself baking them year after year.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients for this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe come together in a way that’s friendly for most kitchens. Using quality butter and fresh baking soda really makes a difference, and the combination of semi-sweet and white chocolate chips gives these cookies irresistible richness and sweetness.

• All-purpose flour: The base of any good cookie, and I recommend using spooned and leveled measuring for accuracy.
• Baking soda: Make sure it’s fresh! It helps the cookies rise just right.
• Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and bring out the chocolate flavors.
• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter is key for creamy dough and fluffy cookies; not melted or too soft.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note.
• Granulated sugar: For that classic cookie crunch and sweetness balance.
• Large egg: Helps bind everything and adds richness.
• Vanilla extract: The secret magic flavor booster in almost every baked treat.
• Semisweet chocolate chips or chunks: I’m a fan of Guittard semi-sweet chunks for that deeper chocolate punch.
• White chocolate chips: Adds creaminess and contrast—totally irresistible.
• Red and green M&Ms: Perfect for holiday cheer and a nice crunch; feel free to use your favorite colors or candy.
• Red and green sprinkles: For that final festive touch that makes these cookies pop visually.

Variations

I love how flexible this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is—you can easily tweak it to match dietary needs or just to mix things up for your holiday table. Whenever I bake for a crowd, I like to add toasted pecans or swap the M&Ms for peppermint bits for a cool twist.

• Nutty Version: Adding toasted walnuts or pecans gives a lovely crunch and warmth that my family adores during the holidays.
• Peppermint Twist: Swap out M&Ms for crushed peppermint candies to add a minty flair—so refreshing and festive.
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend; I tested this and it still yields chewy, delicious cookies.
• Vegan Friendly: Replace butter with a firm vegan butter, use flax egg, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips—I’ve tried this variation with great results!

How to Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and get those baking sheets ready—lining them with parchment paper works best to prevent sticking and uneven browning. In a medium bowl, sift or whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures everything is evenly mixed and helps avoid any unwanted clumps.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat your room temperature butter with the brown and granulated sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. I always find this step fun because the dough starts to look super inviting now! Making sure your butter isn’t melted here is key to getting the perfect texture later on.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract on low speed, just until combined. Don’t overwork it; you want the dough to stay tender. I remember the first time I overmixed the egg and got firmer cookies—not the vibe for a holiday treat!

Step 4: Slowly Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. This is where you’ll want to be gentle—overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, and you definitely want these to be soft but with a subtle crisp on the edges.

Step 5: Add the Chocolate and Sprinkles

Fold in the semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, then gently fold in the M&Ms and sprinkles. Resist the urge to overmix here—just make sure everything is evenly distributed. This step is so satisfying because the dough starts looking like colorful holiday happiness!

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Use an ice cream scoop or heaping tablespoon to drop the dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing 6 to 8 per sheet depending on the size you’re aiming for. Bake 1 sheet at a time so your oven temperature stays consistent. For smaller cookies, bake 8-10 minutes; larger ones will take 10-13 minutes. Look for lightly browned edges and firm tops that spring back when touched—a clear sign they’re ready!

Step 7: Cool Your Cookies

Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes right on the baking sheets before transferring them to wire racks. This resting time helps them set up without breaking, and I find it’s the best way to keep their chewy texture perfect.

How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of festive sanding sugar or a few extra M&Ms on the cookies right after scooping the dough so they look extra colorful and inviting straight from the oven. It’s a little trick I picked up to make them feel even more special at holiday parties.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa or your favorite holiday coffee. Sometimes I serve them alongside a bowl of mixed nuts or fresh fruit to balance the sweetness for larger gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas gifts, I like to stack these cookies in a decorative tin lined with parchment paper, tied with a red ribbon and a small sprig of rosemary or pine. If I’m hosting, arranging them on a festive platter with holiday-themed napkins instantly makes the whole spread feel cozy and cheerful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay perfectly chewy for up to 5 days—if you’re lucky enough to have them around that long!

Freezing

I’ve also frozen the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and then transferred them to a freezer bag. This way, you can bake fresh cookies straight from frozen — they might just need an extra minute in the oven, but they’re just as delicious as freshly mixed dough.

Reheating

To enjoy leftover cookies warm, I pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the chocolate melty and cookies soft, which feels like a little holiday magic.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it perfectly captures all those cozy holiday feelings in one bite. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting friends, or just craving a holiday treat, these cookies are a sure crowd-pleaser. I hope you give this recipe a try and have as much fun baking and sharing them as I do every year!

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