If you’re looking for a festive treat that instantly brings warmth, joy, and a burst of holiday cheer, this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are the perfect blend of soft, chewy, and loaded with rich chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles that make every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, gift-giving, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth during the cozy season, these cookies hit all the right notes and are sure to become a new Christmas tradition in your home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a breeze because it only requires simple, everyday ingredients that combine beautifully to create that classic cookie flavor and texture. Each component plays a crucial role, from the sugars that provide sweetness and moisture to the holiday sprinkles that give these cookies their signature festive look.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a crisp sweetness and helps with the cookie’s structure and slight crunch on the edges.
- Brown sugar, packed: Brings moisture and chewiness along with a hint of caramel flavor.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and tenderness, key for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and lend a bit of lift to the dough.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its sweet, aromatic notes.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base structure of the cookies, balancing all the other ingredients.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread just perfectly.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the cookie flavors.
- Chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet): The star of the show, delivering bursts of creamy chocolate in every bite.
- Holiday sprinkles (red, green, or multicolored): Adds vibrant color and a festive crunch, making these cookies almost too pretty to eat!
How to Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Sugars and Butter
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process aerates the butter, which helps create that tender and delicious cookie texture we all crave.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract. These ingredients bring moisture and a subtle aroma that make the cookies irresistible.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so keep it gentle to maintain that soft bite.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles. This is the magical moment when your dough starts to look like a festive wonderland, with pops of color and the promise of gooey chocolate in every bite.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Then bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft and tender.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for two minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. This short wait ensures they finish setting up so they won’t fall apart when you pick them up.
How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, sprinkle a few additional holiday sprinkles or mini chocolate chips on top of the cookies right after baking, while they’re still warm. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a snowy effect that’s perfect for the season.
Side Dishes
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or even a spiced holiday latte. These drinks complement the sweetness and melt the chocolate chips wonderfully, creating a cozy festive combo.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies stacked on a decorative plate with a festive ribbon tied around the stack as a gift, or arrange them in a holiday-themed tin to share with friends and family. You could also layer cookies between sheets of wax paper for a charming homemade cookie box.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to a week, maintaining that perfect balance of chewy and crunchy you love.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead of time, these cookies freeze beautifully. Simply place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep well for up to three months and thaw quickly when you’re ready to indulge.
Reheating
Warm your cookies in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked, soft texture, as if they were just pulled from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate chips for this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! You can use milk, semi-sweet, dark, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference. Each type brings its own unique flavor, so feel free to customize.
Are the holiday sprinkles necessary?
While the sprinkles add a festive flair and a bit of crunch, you can certainly omit them or substitute with chopped nuts or festive candies if you prefer.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking. This helps the flavors meld and can even improve the texture of the cookies.
How do I ensure my cookies are soft and chewy?
Be careful not to overbake. Pull the cookies out when the edges are golden but centers still look slightly undercooked; they will set as they cool.
Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?
Definitely. Just make sure you have enough mixing space and baking sheets. You may need to bake in batches to avoid overcrowding the oven.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is truly a joy to make and share. From the first creamy bite to the last colorful sprinkle, these cookies are all about celebrating the season with simple ingredients and big flavor. I hope you bake a batch soon and find yourself grinning ear to ear as these festive treats fill your home with delicious holiday magic.
Print
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with rich chocolate chips and colorful holiday sprinkles, perfect for celebrating the season. Easy to make and baked to golden perfection, they offer a delightful treat that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 2 cups chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
- ½ cup holiday sprinkles (red, green, or multicolored)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream sugars and butter: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt throughout the flour.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until all the flour is incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in chocolate chips and sprinkles: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles to evenly distribute them throughout the cookie dough.
- Portion the dough: Using a rounded tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which sets their chewy texture.
Notes
- For softer cookies, avoid overbaking; the centers should look slightly underbaked when removing from the oven.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or white chocolate chips based on your preference.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- To freeze, place baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Make sure butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a better texture.
