Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Get ready to spread some serious holiday cheer with these Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies! These delightful treats are a playful twist on the classic, bringing together gooey chocolate chips, pops of red and green M&M’s, and a shower of festive sprinkles—all nestled in a soft, buttery cookie. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, packaging them up as edible gifts, or sneaking a few for a midnight snack, this recipe guarantees maximum holiday magic in every bite. Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just dessert; they’re a sweet invitation to make merry memories.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies lies in their simple, reliable ingredients—each one making a special contribution. High-quality butter brings richness, brown sugar offers warmth, and those signature M&M’s and sprinkles add color that sparkles like holiday lights. Here’s what you’ll need and why you’ll love using them:
- Unsalted butter (softened): Provides the essential moistness and a rich, creamy mouthfeel that makes these cookies melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Light brown sugar (packed): Brings a hint of molasses flavor and keeps the cookies soft and chewy.
- Granulated sugar: Balances moisture and sweetness for a perfectly tender texture.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together while giving the dough that irresistible fudgy softness.
- Pure vanilla extract: Adds deep, warm flavor and brings out the best in the chocolate.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie—gives structure without making them tough.
- Baking soda: Lifts the cookies so they bake up soft with just the right amount of spread.
- Baking powder: Ensures a lighter, fluffier texture—every holiday cookie’s secret weapon.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and amplifies every other flavor in the dough.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The essential gooey, melty chocolate in every bite.
- Red and green M&M’s: Festive pops of color with a crisp, chocolatey center for true Christmas sparkle.
- Holiday sprinkles (optional): Totally optional but highly recommended for extra crunch and that fun, merry look.
How to Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Let’s start with good habits: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), right off the bat, so it’s ready to go when your dough is. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, which makes for easy cleanup and ensures your cookies puff up instead of sticking or spreading too much.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a big mixing bowl, cream together that silky-soft butter with both the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Keep whipping until the mixture turns pale and fluffy—this step is where your cookies get their dreamy, soft centers. Think of it as capturing a bit of holiday cloud in your bowl!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add your eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition so the dough stays smooth and even. Then pour in the vanilla extract. The aroma at this point is what cookie dreams are made of—it’s the secret to making your kitchen smell exactly like Christmas.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a separate bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures all your rising agents are evenly distributed so every cookie bakes up perfectly. No one wants a lopsided cookie at the bake sale!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture into the buttery base. Mixing a bit at a time keeps the dough lush and avoids any floury lumps. Stop as soon as you see the last streaks disappear—overmixing is the enemy of a tender cookie.
Step 6: Fold in the Fun
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, M&M’s, and, if you’re feeling extra festive, those colorful sprinkles. Fold just enough to get an even spread—every cookie should look like a tiny Christmas party inside!
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Scoop rounded spoonfuls of dough (a tablespoon or cookie scoop works perfectly) onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread. For that classic bakery look, press a few extra M&M’s or sprinkles right on top. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden and the centers look slightly underbaked—don’t worry, they’ll set up as they cool.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes (they’re still finishing up their magic!), then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. If you sneak one while they’re warm and gooey, I promise, absolutely no judgment here!
How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
To amp up the festive vibes, you can garnish Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies with a scattering of extra sprinkles or a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. For an over-the-top finish, drizzle a little melted white chocolate in zig-zags or add a pinch of crushed peppermint candies.
Side Dishes
Nothing partners better with these cookies than a tall glass of cold milk—classic for a reason! For grown-ups, try serving alongside spiced hot cocoa or your favorite holiday coffee. If you’re laying out a dessert spread, pair with fresh berries or a fruit salad to balance all the sweet, chocolatey goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies the centerpiece of a holiday cookie platter—mix them with shortbread stars, gingerbread men, and peppermint bark for eye-catching variety. You can even stack a few cookies, wrap them up in cellophane with a festive ribbon, and hand them out as homemade edible gifts. For a kids’ party, pile them high on a cake stand with extra M&M’s sprinkled around the base for instant festive cheer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftover cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. To keep that bakery freshness, slip a slice of bread into the container—the cookies will absorb just enough moisture to stay soft and chewy.
Freezing
Both the dough and the baked Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies freeze beautifully. For dough, scoop it onto a tray, freeze until firm, then keep the frozen dough balls in a freezer bag for fresh-from-the-oven cookies anytime. Baked cookies freeze best in layers separated by parchment paper. Just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
For that straight-from-the-oven warmth, pop a cookie or two in the microwave for 8-10 seconds—just enough to bring back the gooey chocolate. If you’re reheating a bunch, bake at 300°F on a tray for 3-5 minutes, and your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies will taste freshly baked again!
FAQs
Can I substitute different colored M&M’s or candies?
Absolutely! While the red and green M&M’s make these scream Christmas, feel free to use any color or swap in other candy-coated chocolates for other occasions or tastes.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours before baking, or frozen for even longer. Chilling the dough also helps the flavors meld and can lead to a slightly thicker, chewier cookie.
What’s the best way to get soft, chewy cookies?
The real secret is not to overbake your cookies. Take them out once the edges are just turning golden and the centers still look a tad underdone—they’ll continue to set up as they cool.
Can I use salted butter if I don’t have unsalted?
You can! Just reduce the salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon to balance the extra saltiness in the butter. The result will still be a delicious batch of Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Are there any allergen-friendly swaps for this recipe?
Definitely—try using a plant-based butter for dairy-free cookies, a gluten-free flour blend for gluten-sensitive guests, and allergy-friendly chocolate chips or candy. The cookies might change in texture, but they’ll still be festive and tasty.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about baking Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies—they’re an edible love letter to the holidays! I hope you’re inspired to bake up a batch, share them with your loved ones, and create your own sweet rituals. Trust me, these cookies disappear fast, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself whipping up a second batch before the season’s through. Happy baking!
Print
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect festive treat to enjoy during the holiday season. Loaded with chocolate chips, colorful M&M’s, and sprinkles, these cookies are sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-Ins:
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup red and green M&M’s
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in chocolate chips, M&M’s, and sprinkles.
- Bake: Drop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden. Cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
Notes
- For extra festive flair, press a few M&M’s or sprinkles on top of each dough ball before baking.
- Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 48 hours or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
