Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you’re searching for the ultimate festive treat this season, stick around because this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is truly a fan-freaking-tastic way to celebrate! I’ve made these cookies for years, and every time they come out perfectly soft, chewy, and sprinkled with that little holiday magic you can actually taste. Whether you’re baking with kiddos or impressing your cookie swap group, these cookies bring all the warm, cozy vibes you want during the holidays — trust me, you’re going to love them.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe lies in its simple, quality ingredients that come together beautifully to create those classic holiday flavors. Each ingredient brings its own magic, and with a few pro tips on what to look for while shopping, your cookies will be next-level delicious.

• Salted butter: Using salted butter adds a nice balance to the sweetness, and melting it gives the cookies their tender, chewy texture.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a mild caramel flavor that deepens the cookie’s richness.
• White sugar: Provides just the right amount of sweetness and helps with the slight crisp on the cookie edges.
• Egg: Binds all the ingredients together and helps the cookie rise just enough without becoming cakey.
• Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavors and adds warmth to the entire batch.
• All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that creates structure for these soft treats.
• Ground cinnamon: A festive twist that isn’t overpowering; start small if you’re cautious with spice.
• Baking soda: Gives the cookies a gentle lift, making them nice and tender inside.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips: Little pockets of melty chocolate goodness throughout.
• White chocolate chips: Adds a creamy, sweet contrast to the semi-sweet chips.
• Christmas red/green/white sprinkles: Because the holidays are about a little fun and cheer — I prefer flat confetti sprinkles for their softer bite.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Over the years, I’ve played with more cinnamon, swapped out sprinkles, and even tried gluten-free flour — it all works beautifully. Don’t hesitate to make it your own; that’s what keeps these cookies a holiday staple in my kitchen.

• Variation: I like adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts sometimes for an extra crunch. It’s a crunchy-sweet upgrade that my family adores.
• Dietary swaps: If you’re vegan, swapping butter for coconut oil and using a flax egg can work well, though the texture will be slightly different.
• Cinnamon level: If you’re unsure about cinnamon, start with a quarter teaspoon — it’s subtle but adds that festive warmth that really makes these cookies stand out.

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

Step 1: Prep Like a Pro

First things first — preheat your oven to 350°F and line your cookie sheet with parchment paper because trust me, this makes cookie clean-up a breeze (and nobody wants to scrape baked-on chocolate later!). Then, in a small bowl, mix together your flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Stir well with a fork so everything is evenly combined — this dry mix is what gives your cookies that perfect rise and subtle spice.

Step 2: Mix the Magic Wet Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the melted butter (make sure it’s not hot or it’ll scramble your egg), brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth and glossy. Then crack in your egg and give it a good mix, followed by the vanilla. The smell hitting your nose right now? That’s holiday magic starting to happen.

Step 3: Bring it All Together

Now it’s time to combine the wet and dry — add your flour mixture slowly and stir until just combined. Overmixing is a cookie killer; you want to stop when you no longer see dry flour. Fold in those beautiful chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. This is the fun part — the dough starts looking like holiday joy!

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop (or just your hands!), portion out the dough onto your lined cookie sheets — I find 16 cookies per batch works perfectly. Bake for exactly 11 minutes; they’ll look slightly undercooked but that’s key to their softness. Let them rest on the cookie sheet for at least 10 minutes so they can finish “baking” gently and firm up just enough. If you want a bit less ooey gooey, bump your baking time to 12 minutes.

How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar when they’re fresh out of the oven—it gives a snow-dusted winter look that’s just enchanting. For extra crunch, I sometimes add a sprinkle of crushed candy canes on top right after baking for a peppermint kick that pairs beautifully with the chocolate.

Side Dishes

These cookies go hand-in-hand with a glass of cold milk (classic!), but during the holidays, I also serve them alongside warm spiced cider or a cozy mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. It’s a little indulgent combo that hits all the festive notes perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to arrange these cookies on a tiered tray with fresh sprigs of rosemary or pine for a rustic, festive vibe. Wrapping stacks of cookies in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon makes for a charming edible gift. Last year, I even tucked a few cookies into mini mason jars layered with extra sprinkles for a fun, giftable twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for about 4–5 days. I like adding a slice of bread into the container because it helps keep the cookies moist—an old trick I swear by!

Freezing

For bigger batches, freezing cookie dough balls is a lifesaver. I scoop them onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want fresh cookies, bake straight from frozen — just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To bring leftover cookies back to that freshly baked softness, pop them in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. It’s the easiest way to revive that gooey, melt-in-your-mouth feeling.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s been part of so many holiday memories with my family — from baking with my kids to sharing at neighbor gatherings. I’m confident if you give it a go, this recipe will bring that warm, festive cheer straight into your home. So grab your mixing bowl, get those sprinkles ready, and bake up some joy. You’ve got this!

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