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This Christmas chocolate chip cookies recipe has totally changed the way we do holiday baking in my house. If you have been craving Christmas cookies that are soft, chewy, and filled with colorful chocolate chips and festive sprinkles, you will love this quick and easy recipe. The prep time is just thirty five minutes and bake time is only eleven minutes, making it possible to enjoy homemade Christmas chocolate chip cookies in under an hour, perfect for busy festive days.
I first made these easy Christmas choc chip cookies for my kids’ Grinchmas movie night and they disappeared before the end credits. Now, this classic Christmas cookie recipe is our main go to treat for decorating and sharing with neighbors because they taste homemade but look bakery perfect every batch. You will love how these Christmas chocolate chip cookies satisfy your cookie craving while adding a festive sparkle to any gathering.
Gather Your Ingredients
- Salted butter, melted: Melting the butter gives extra chewiness and rich flavor, so choose good quality for best results. Use unsalted butter if needed but add a pinch of extra salt.
- Light brown sugar: Adds deep caramelized sweetness and incredible chew. Fresh, moist brown sugar ensures the cookies have just the right texture.
- White sugar: Brings crisp edges and balanced sweetness. Organic cane sugar can be used as a substitute for a more natural cookie.
- Large egg (room temperature): Helps everything mix smoothly and adds lift to the dough. Let the egg sit out fifteen minutes before using.
- Pure vanilla extract: Classic homemade aroma and depth of flavor. Try a splash of almond extract for subtle variation.
- All purpose white flour: The dough base for tender, thick cookies. King Arthur or Gold Medal unbleached flour provides reliable results, but a cup for cup gluten free blend works for dietary swaps.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds subtle warmth to enhance the holiday feel. Reduce to a quarter teaspoon for a milder cinnamon note.
- Baking soda: Ensures the cookies spread just right and bake up light, so always use fresh baking soda.
- Fine salt: Balances sweetness and brings out flavors. Kosher salt can be used, but double check for coarse grains.
- Mini semi sweet chocolate chips: Give little pops of melty chocolate throughout the cookies. Mini chips distribute best, but regular size will work if that’s what you have.
- White chocolate chips: Melt into creamy pockets and create color contrast. Swap with butterscotch or peanut butter chips for easy flavor twists.
- Christmas sprinkles (red, green, white): Instantly delivers seasonal color and joy to each cookie. Jimmies hold their shape best in baking, though nonpareils can be used for crunch.
How to Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan:
- Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help cookies bake evenly with golden bottoms.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients Thoroughly:
- In a bowl, stir together all purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt using a fork until evenly combined and free of lumps. This step ensures spices and leavening are distributed, so every cookie has balanced flavor and rise.
- Combine Melted Butter and Sugars:
- In a large bowl, add slightly cooled melted butter, then the light brown sugar and white sugar. Whisk or stir well until glossy and smooth, making sure no lumps remain. This creates that soft chewy base and shiny cookie edge.
- Add Egg and Vanilla for Rich Flavor:
- Mix in the large egg until fully incorporated and creamy, then pour in pure vanilla extract. Continue mixing until you smell that classic sugar cookie scent and the batter looks cohesive and fluffy.
- Stir in the Dry Ingredients with Care:
- Carefully fold in the flour mixture using a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon, just until no dry streaks remain. Take care not to over mix, which can make cookies tough. Scrape the bowl well to ensure even blending.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Festive Sprinkles:
- Gently stir in mini semi sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and colorful Christmas sprinkles. Distribute add ins evenly for perfect classic chocolate chip cookie bites every time.
- Portion the Cookie Dough Evenly:
- Using a two tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon, place dough mounds at least two inches apart on prepared sheets. Expect sixteen cookies per batch. For a bakery style look, press extra chips or sprinkles on top before baking.
- Bake to Perfect Softness:
- Bake in the center of the oven for eleven minutes. Cookies should be set at the edges but pale in the center for the classic chewy style. Do not overbake or the cookies can dry out.
- Cool and Enjoy:
- Let cookies cool five minutes on the baking sheet to finish setting up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For gooey chocolate chip cookies, enjoy them slightly warm and fresh from the oven.
My favorite twist is using both mini semi sweet and white chocolate chips for a fun, colorful look with extra rich flavor. The first time my mom and I made these together, a bowl of Christmas sprinkles spilled all over the counter and we laughed for ages. Every time I bake these cookies, I remember that moment and know this quick Christmas chocolate chip cookie recipe is a family tradition packed with happiness and nostalgia.
Smart Swaps and Variations
Baking during the holidays is all about getting creative, and this Christmas chocolate chip cookies recipe offers endless variation options. For dairy free cookies, use vegan butter and allergy friendly chocolate chips. Want gluten free? A one to one gluten free flour blend works perfectly in place of all purpose. Add red and green M&M candies, swap in butterscotch chips, or fold in crushed peppermint for a brand new spin. For a classic sugar cookie thickness, chill the dough for thirty minutes to avoid spreading too much. Seasonal spices and colorful add ins make every batch your own.
How to Store and Reheat Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
To keep your Christmas chocolate chip cookies soft and fresh, let them cool completely and store in an airtight tin or sturdy plastic container, separated with parchment if possible. They stay perfect at room temperature for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a zip top bag or freezer safe box for up to three months. Reheat as needed—eight to ten seconds in the microwave brings back soft centers, while a few minutes in a 300 degree oven restores crisp edges. Make the dough ahead and freeze shaped balls to bake straight from the freezer any time you want instant fresh cookies.
What to Serve with Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies shine as a holiday dessert, in a festive snack platter, or as delightful gifts. Pair with mugs of hot chocolate, peppermint mocha, or homemade eggnog for a classic Christmas treat. They also go great with fresh berries, orange slices, or on a cookie exchange table with other seasonal favorites like peanut butter blossoms. Serve two cookies per person, but expect them to vanish quickly, especially during gatherings and family movie nights.
Nutritional Benefits
While these Christmas chocolate chip cookies are a delicious treat, they use real eggs and butter for healthy fats and vitamins, and chocolate chips for a boost of antioxidants. Whole grain or oat flour swaps increase the fiber, and this recipe can be made gluten free or dairy free with simple changes. All together, this nut free, vegetarian dessert fits many dietary needs for holiday eating.
Recipe Success Tips
For best results, always remove cookies when the centers look slightly underbaked so they stay soft and chewy. Chill the dough if your kitchen is warm or you made ingredient swaps to avoid flat cookies. Check baking soda freshness if you struggle with spread, and skip the mixer—just use a strong spoon for perfectly mixed dough. Test bake a single cookie if you tried lots of new variations to nail the perfect Christmas chocolate chip cookie texture every time.
This easy Christmas chocolate chip cookies recipe brings holiday joy to every bite and is guaranteed to be a hit at any party or family gathering. Try baking them this season for the ultimate festive treat and let each batch become a new holiday tradition in your home.
Common Questions About This Recipe
- → Can I use other kinds of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Mix in milk, dark, or even butterscotch chips for a custom flavor that matches your holiday mood.
- → What makes these cookies festive?
The addition of red, green, and white sprinkles gives each cookie a cheerful holiday look, perfect for Christmas celebrations.
- → How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Using melted butter and the right flour ratio keeps the cookies thick and chewy. Be sure not to overmix once the flour is added.
- → Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes, store the dough in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze for longer. Scoop and bake when ready for fresh treats.
- → Is cinnamon optional in these cookies?
Cinnamon adds a warm flavor but you can reduce or omit it if you prefer a classic chocolate chip taste.