Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate cozy treat to bring some holiday cheer, you’ve absolutely got to try this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies are a festive, sweet little celebration in every bite, with just the right balance of melt-in-your-mouth softness and a hint of holiday spice. I promise, once you make them, they’ll be the centerpiece of your holiday cookie platter—and the ones everyone begs you to bake again and again.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays its part in making these cookies so special. From the melt-in-your-mouth butter to the mix of chocolate chips and sprinkles, each one adds texture, flavor, and that holiday spirit. I recommend using good quality butter and fresh cinnamon to get the best results.

• Salted Butter: Melting the butter creates a rich, tender cookie base and helps blend all the sugars evenly.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor that keeps cookies soft.
• White Sugar: Gives just enough crispness and sweetness to balance the brown sugar.
• Large Egg: Binds everything together while adding moisture and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness and brings depth to the flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for structure – don’t swap it out unless you want a different texture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Just a hint to evoke that warm, cozy Christmas vibe without overshadowing the chocolate.
• Baking Soda: Gives these cookies just enough lift and tenderness.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness, making all the flavors pop.
• Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic chocolatey goodness, bite-sized for perfect distribution.
• White Chocolate Chips: Add creamy sweetness and a pretty contrast to the semi-sweet chips.
• Christmas Red/Green/White Sprinkles: The festive finishing touch that makes these cookies holiday-ready.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Over the years, I’ve tweaked the mix-ins and even the sprinkle colors to match different holidays or personal tastes. Feel free to customize and get creative—you really can’t go wrong!

• Variation: One time, I swapped out the white chocolate chips for peppermint bark pieces, and it instantly reminded me of my grandma’s old holiday cookie trays—definitely a keeper!
• Dairy-Free: Try using dairy-free butter substitutes and vegan chocolate chips for a delicious, allergy-friendly option.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger if you like a bit more holiday warmth in every bite.
• Skip the Sprinkles: If sprinkles aren’t your thing, just focus on the chocolate chips—they’re pure comfort either way.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Dry Ingredients

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper—trust me, this makes cleanup so much easier. Then, in a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures those cinnamon specks are evenly distributed and the leavening agents do their job right.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Next, in a large bowl, combine the melted butter (microwaved for about 25 seconds until fully melted), light brown sugar, and white sugar. Stir together until everything looks smooth and glossy. This warmth from the melted butter helps marry the sugars—bonus, it also speeds up the whole process!

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg, making sure it’s well incorporated, then add in the vanilla extract. I always use pure vanilla for that rich, homey flavor that makes cookies taste so inviting.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the flour mixture into your wet ingredients and stir gently with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon just until everything comes together. Don’t overmix here—you want tender cookies, not tough!

Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles

This is the exciting part—add the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and your festive sprinkles. Gently fold everything together so you get bursts of chocolate and colorful sparkle in every cookie. It’s like a little snowstorm of yum.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scooper (or just two tablespoon mounds on the sheet), place 16 dough balls evenly spaced on your lined cookie sheet. Bake for 11 minutes, then remove the sheet from the oven but keep the cookies on it for at least 10 minutes to finish baking softly. That’s the secret for that perfect gooey center with just set edges!

If you prefer less ooey-gooey cookies, bake for 12 minutes and still allow the 10-minute resting period on the sheet.

How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a tiny bit of coarse sea salt on top right before baking—it heightens all the flavors without losing that holiday sweetness. Sometimes, a dusting of powdered sugar after they cool turns them into sparkling little snowballs, perfect for gifting or dessert trays.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk (classic, right?) or a mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows—both drinks amp up that cozy holiday feeling. For a grown-up twist, they’re surprisingly lovely alongside a warm cup of spiced mulled wine or spiked eggnog.

Creative Ways to Present

I love assembling these cookies in clear glass jars layered with red and green tissue paper for a festive gift. For parties, stack them in pretty tins with parchment in between layers to keep them pristine. You could even skewer smaller cookie versions on sticks for a cute “cookie pops” display at holiday gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—it keeps them soft for up to 4 days. If you find they firm up a little, popping one in the microwave for 10 seconds softens it right back up like fresh-baked.

Freezing

These Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies freeze beautifully. I like to freeze the scooped dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag once firm. When I’m ready, I bake them straight from frozen adding an extra minute or two to the bake time—super convenient for busy holiday seasons.

Reheating

To warm up the cookies without drying them out, I pop a cookie or two in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This refreshes the gooey texture and melts the chocolate just enough to feel freshly baked again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is one I turn to year after year because it’s straightforward, festive, and simply irresistible. I love how the cinnamon whispers warmth without stealing the spotlight, and those sprinkles? They just make it feel like holiday magic on a plate. If you want to bring joy to your kitchen and your family this season, give this recipe a try—I’m pretty sure it’ll become your new Christmas favorite too!

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