If you’re on the hunt for a festive and utterly delicious treat to fill your holiday season with warmth and joy, you simply must try this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies blend the classic comfort of chocolate chip goodness with vibrant holiday colors, thanks to cheerful red and green M&M’s and festive sprinkles. The perfect balance of soft, chewy centers and lightly golden edges make these cookies a crowd-pleaser that brightens cookie platters and brings smiles to every holiday gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple yet essential ingredients is your first step toward cookie magic. Each one plays a key role—from the creamy butter that creates tenderness to the M&M’s and sprinkles adding that unmistakable festive pop of color and crunch.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Provides richness and helps achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens and helps create a subtle crispiness on the cookie edges.
- Brown sugar (¾ cup, packed): Adds moisture and a slight caramel note for chewy centers.
- Large eggs (2): Bind everything together while lending moisture and structure.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Adds warmth and depth, rounding out the flavors beautifully.
- All-purpose flour (2 ¼ cups): The foundation of your cookie dough, providing structure and that perfect bite.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps your cookies rise and become delightfully fluffy.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet and chocolatey flavors.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Classic chocolate bursts in every bite.
- Red and green M&M’s (½ cup): Infuse a colorful, festive crunch and extra chocolate.
- Holiday sprinkles (½ cup, optional): For added sparkle and seasonal cheer.
- White chocolate chips (½ cup, optional): Adds creamy sweetness and contrast in texture.
How to Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pans
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This setup ensures your cookies bake evenly and won’t stick, making cleanup easier and preserving their beautiful appearance.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This step is crucial for that soft texture and slight crispy edge everyone loves in a Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract, which will boost your cookie’s flavor with subtle aromatic warmth.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt together. This blend ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and balances the sweetness with just enough saltiness.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so gentle folds are the key here.
Step 6: Fold in the Festive Add-ins
Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips, M&M’s, holiday sprinkles, and if you like, the white chocolate chips into your dough. This step turns the classic cookie into a festive treat filled with bursts of color and flavor.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are just golden but the centers remain soft. This timing is perfect for that chewy yet cooked-through texture.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents them from breaking and lets them set perfectly so every bite is pure bliss.
How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Spruce up your cookies by pressing a few extra red and green M&M’s or sprinkles on top of the dough balls before baking, giving your treats an irresistible and festive sparkle that dazzles at any party.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa to enhance the holiday vibe. This combo makes every bite feel cozy and comforting, perfect for chilly winter evenings.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe on a festive platter surrounded by holly leaves or pine sprigs for a natural, merry display. Alternatively, layer them in clear jars tied with seasonal ribbons for charming edible gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to five days, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until firm, and then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to three months without losing their festive charm.
Reheating
To revive that freshly baked soft warmth, pop your cookies in a microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or warm them in an oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This little trick makes them taste like they just came out of the oven again.
FAQs
Can I substitute the M&M’s with other candies?
Absolutely! You can swap M&M’s for mini candy canes, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries to personalize your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe and still keep them festive and delicious.
What if I don’t have white chocolate chips?
The white chocolate chips add sweetness and visual contrast, but you can simply skip them or replace with more semi-sweet chips if you prefer a more traditional chocolate flavor.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Chilling the dough is optional, but a 30-minute chill helps prevent spreading, making your cookies thicker and more uniform—an excellent tip if you want that perfect cookie shape.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
This recipe relies on butter and eggs for texture, but you can experiment by using vegan butter and flax eggs as substitutes. Just keep in mind the texture might differ slightly from the classic recipe.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
This Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe yields about 36 cookies, perfect for sharing with friends, family, or neighbors during the holiday season.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like the joy of sharing freshly baked Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe with the people you love. These cookies offer a beautiful mix of comforting flavors and festive cheer that can brighten any holiday occasion. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and dive into this delicious experience—the holidays just got sweeter and more colorful!
