Festive Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Jolly Festive Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

These melt-in-your-mouth festive Christmas chocolate chip cookies blend traditional warmth with delightful seasonal cheer.

Sweet memories of holiday gatherings dance through each carefully crafted bite.

The classic chocolate chip recipe whispers comfort and joy with every crumb.

Generations of bakers have shared similar recipes, passing down delectable traditions from kitchen to kitchen.

Rich chocolate chunks nestled in soft, buttery dough create an irresistible treat that sparks pure happiness.

Each cookie promises a moment of pure bliss during the most wonderful time of the year.

Bake a batch and watch smiles spread faster than melted chocolate.

How to Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350 degrees and grab a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper to create a non-stick surface for your festive treats.

  • Create Cookie Dough

Grab your mixing bowl and cream together butter with white and brown sugars until they become a fluffy dream. Splash in vanilla and crack in eggs, blending until everything looks smooth and inviting.

  • Blend Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gently fold flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt into your buttery mixture. Mix carefully to keep the dough light and airy, avoiding overworking the batter.

  • Add Holiday Cheer

Sprinkle chocolate chips and festive sprinkles throughout the dough. Stir just enough to distribute the goodies evenly, creating pockets of sweet surprise in every bite.

  • Shape and Bake Cookies

Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Slide the sheet into the oven and bake until edges turn golden but centers remain soft – about 10 minutes.

  • Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up. Transfer to a cooling rack and wait (if you can!) until they’re ready to munch. These Christmas cookies will spread joy with every delicious bite.

How to Add Flair to Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Transform These Christmas Cookies!
  • Pull butter out 30-45 minutes before baking to reach perfect room temperature, ensuring smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
  • Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies with deeper flavor development.
  • Replace all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising taste.
  • Substitute butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg), and choose dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based festive treat.
  • Experiment with crushed candy canes, white chocolate chips, or different colored sprinkles to match various holiday themes and personal preferences.

Plating Tips for Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Festive Cookie Platter: Arrange the cookies on a decorative Christmas-themed plate, surrounding them with candy canes and sprinkled with powdered sugar for aal holiday presentation.
  • Holiday Gift Packaging: Pack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, creating charming homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or family friends.
  • Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve warm cookies alongside hot cocoa or mulled wine, creating a cozy winter treat that enhances the rich chocolate and festive sprinkle flavors.
  • Ice Cream Sandwich: Create fun dessert sandwiches by placing a scoop of peppermint or vanilla ice cream between two cooled cookies, rolling the edges in extra holiday sprinkles.

Keeping Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Fresh

  • Store cookies in an airtight container with a tight-sealing lid to maintain maximum freshness. Layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their delicate texture.
  • Prepare cookie dough balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag for quick baking anytime. Frozen dough can be stored up to 3 months, perfect for surprise holiday treats.
  • Keep cookies at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 5 days. Place a slice of bread inside the container to help maintain softness and prevent cookies from becoming dry or crumbly.
  • Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days before baking, storing it covered in the refrigerator. Let the dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before scooping and baking to ensure even spreading and consistent texture.

FAQs

  • Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can. Just reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.

  • How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. Cold dough helps cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

  • What if I don't have holiday sprinkles?

No problem! You can use regular rainbow sprinkles or skip them entirely. The cookies will still taste delicious with just chocolate chips.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months before baking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 25

Ingredients for Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

For Dry Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation that gives structure and delightful texture to your holiday cookies. Look for fresh, unbleached flour for best results.
  • Baking Soda: Theal rising agent that helps cookies achieve that perfect soft and chewy consistency. Ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile, adding depth to every delectable bite.
For Sweet and Creamy Foundation:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates irresistible caramelized sweetness and helps cookies develop a golden, crispy exterior. Brown sugar adds rich moisture and depth.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides luxurious richness and helps cookies spread beautifully. Use room temperature butter for smooth blending.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, comforting aroma and rounds out the cookie's flavor complexity. Choose pure extract for authentic taste.
For Festive Mix-Ins:
  • Chocolate Chips: Delivers melty pockets of chocolatey goodness. Select high-quality chips for supreme indulgence.
  • Holiday Sprinkles, M&Ms: Adds playful color and festive cheer, transforming ordinary cookies into celebration-worthy treats. Choose vibrant, seasonal colors.
  • Large Eggs: Binds ingredients together and contributes to soft, tender cookie texture. Use fresh, room temperature eggs.

Gear Up to Prepare Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
  • Medium bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
  • Whisk: Helps blend flour, baking soda, and salt evenly.
  • Electric mixer or hand mixer: Crucial for creaming butter and sugars to a smooth consistency.
  • Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Ensures uniform cookie sizes and easy dough portioning.
  • Baking sheets: Provides even surface for baking cookies.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
  • Spatula: Helpful for folding in chocolate chips and sprinkles gently.
Print
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Festive Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Festive Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

These festive Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies blend holiday nostalgia with classic cookie comfort. Rich chocolate and warm spices create a delightful treat you’ll savor during seasonal gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups (255 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 ¼ cups (532 ml) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (165 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (85 g) red and green holiday sprinkles (or festive M&Ms)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating an ideal cooking surface for festive treats.
  2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, establishing a foundational dry mixture for the cookie dough.
  3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes smooth, light, and exceptionally fluffy, developing the cookie’s signature tender texture.
  4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend vanilla extract and eggs into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring thorough incorporation and a uniform, silky consistency.
  5. Dough Development: Fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients using low-speed mixing, carefully maintaining the dough’s delicate structure and preventing excessive manipulation.
  6. Festive Embellishment: Gently fold in chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles, distributing them evenly to create a balanced flavor profile and visually appealing cookie landscape.
  7. Cookie Formation and Placement: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to create rounded dough balls, positioning them strategically on prepared baking sheets with approximately 2 inches between each cookie to allow for proper expansion.
  8. Baking Perfection: Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges while ensuring centers remain soft and delectable.
  9. Cooling Technique: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely and solidify their irresistible texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, sugar, and leavening agents to ensure consistent cookie texture and prevent dense or flat results.
  • Control Butter Temperature: Soften butter at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing, creating optimal creaming that produces light, airy cookies with perfect spread.
  • Avoid Overmixing Dough: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stopping as soon as ingredients combine to maintain tender, soft cookie crumb and prevent tough texture.
  • Chill for Enhanced Flavor: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to intensify flavors, improve cookie structure, and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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