There is something undeniably heartwarming about gathering around a plate of freshly baked cookies during the holiday season, and this Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe truly captures that magic. Bursting with rich chocolate chips and festive red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles, these cookies combine the perfect balance of gooey centers and golden edges. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself, this recipe delivers cozy sweetness that feels like a warm holiday hug with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together effortlessly to create the perfect cookie texture and flavor. Each component plays a role in building the cookie’s delightful chewiness, sweetness, and festive look.
- All-purpose flour: The base of our dough, giving structure and a tender crumb.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread just right for that classic texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture, ensuring a soft chew.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cookies’ crisp edges.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep, caramel notes and keeps the cookies chewy.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Classic melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.
- Red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles (optional): Sprinkles festive color and crunch for that unmistakable Christmas vibe.
How to Make Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Dry Ingredients
Start by heating your oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent is evenly distributed and the salt is mixed through to enhance flavor without any clumps.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter along with granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy and light. This step is key to creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture and helps incorporate air into the dough for a tender crumb.
Step 3: Add Eggs
Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. This helps achieve a smooth, cohesive dough that will hold together perfectly once baked.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix the whipped butter and sugar mixture into the flour blend. Incorporate slowly to avoid overworking the dough — you want it just combined enough so that your cookies stay tender.
Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips and Holiday M&Ms
Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for that classic chocolatey goodness. If you’re feeling festive, fold in the red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles to add pops of color and a fun crunch.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one for spreading. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are just set—perfect for soft yet slightly crisp cookies.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes—that little rest helps them firm up without losing softness—then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before indulging.
How to Serve Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt right on warm cookies to highlight the chocolate’s sweetness or dust with a light coating of powdered sugar for a snowy Christmas effect.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies with a cold glass of milk, hot cocoa topped with marshmallows, or even a spiced holiday coffee. The creamy beverages complement the rich and sweet cookie flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking cookies with a layer of vanilla or peppermint ice cream between them for a holiday ice cream sandwich. You can also arrange them on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh holly or surround them with colorful mini candy canes to wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This helps preserve their chewy texture without drying out. If you want to maintain maximum freshness, add a slice of bread into the container to keep them moist.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough balls ahead of time for convenience. Simply shape them, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To refresh cookies, warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This revives their softness and the chocolate chips will melt slightly again, just like fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour?
Yes, whole wheat flour can be used but it will create a denser cookie with a nuttier flavor. For the best balance, you might try replacing only half the flour to maintain softness and structure.
What’s the best way to get chewy instead of crisp cookies?
To achieve chewy cookies, slightly underbake them so the centers remain soft. Let them finish baking on the hot sheet after removing from the oven; this locks in moisture and chewiness.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Whether you prefer milk chocolate, white chocolate, or dark chocolate chips, feel free to swap according to your taste. Each type adds a unique twist to the classic cookie flavor.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing after baking?
Yes, baked cookies freeze well. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly before serving.
Can I omit the holiday M&M’s or sprinkles?
Definitely! They are optional and the cookies are delicious without them. If you prefer a more traditional chocolate chip cookie look, simply leave them out or replace with nuts or dried fruit.
Final Thoughts
This Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is truly a joyful way to fill your home with holiday spirit and delicious aromas. It’s simple to make, customizable, and perfect for sharing warm moments with loved ones. So roll up your sleeves, grab your mixing bowl, and bake some magic this season—you won’t regret it!
Print
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are festive, delicious treats perfect for holiday celebrations. These cookies combine a soft, buttery base with rich semi-sweet chocolate chips and optional colorful red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles, making them both flavorful and visually appealing. With a quick prep and bake time, they are an easy-to-make dessert that yields chewy, golden-edged cookies perfect for sharing or gifting during the festive season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Add-ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the proper baking temperature before you start preparing your cookie dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt thoroughly. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening and seasoning throughout your dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy and smooth, which typically takes a few minutes. This step incorporates air for a light texture.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them and create a homogenous batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips and Optional M&M’s: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and, if using, the red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles for that festive look and taste.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers appear just set but still soft. For chewier cookies, slightly underbake as desired.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to set before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, preserving their shape and texture.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them and allow them to finish cooking on the baking sheet after removing from the oven.
- To make ahead, freeze the dough balls individually. When ready, bake them straight from the freezer, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the baking time.
