Get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goodness with this Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of soft, chewy texture and rich chocolate that makes these cookies a holiday must-have. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings or holiday parties, this recipe delivers festive fun with every bite, thanks to the festive red and green M&M’s or sprinkles that make these classic cookies truly shine.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple and essential ingredients come together effortlessly to create the perfect cookies. Each component plays a key role, from the tender richness of the butter to the delightful burst of chocolate chips and festive colors.
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure and soft crumb of the cookie.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and gives them that perfect texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and tenderness to every bite.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Contributes sweetness and helps with cookie spreading.
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar: Adds moistness and a subtle caramel flavor.
- 2 large eggs: Binds everything together while adding moisture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings a warm, fragrant note to the dough.
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: The star ingredient that makes these cookies irresistible.
- ½ cup red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles (optional): Adds festive color and an extra crunch.
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a nutty texture and flavor boost if you like a little crunch.
How to Make Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures they combine evenly and set the foundation for your dough’s perfect texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter along with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Creaming these ingredients well traps air and helps your cookies rise beautifully while staying tender.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract. This step adds moisture and ensures your cookies have that signature rich flavor.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter-sugar-egg combination, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing here to keep the cookies tender and soft rather than dense.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Festive Extras
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips along with your optional red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles and chopped nuts if using. This step is where your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe starts to show their holiday spirit.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in your preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown but the centers still feel soft to the touch. This balance keeps the cookies chewy and delightful.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This little pause makes them easier to handle and ensures they firm up perfectly without losing softness inside.
How to Serve Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra festive M&M’s or colorful sprinkles on top of freshly baked cookies to give them that extra pop of holiday cheer. You can also lightly dust them with powdered sugar for a snow-dusted effect that’s simply magical.
Side Dishes
Serve these scrumptious cookies alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a warm cup of spiced hot chocolate for a cozy holiday treat. They also pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn your cookies into a festive dessert delight.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider arranging your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe on a holiday-themed platter surrounded by pine sprigs or cinnamon sticks for an inviting presentation. You can also package them in decorated tins or clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons as thoughtful homemade gifts that everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to one week, perfect for nibbling throughout the holiday season.
Freezing
You can freeze your cookie dough before baking or the baked cookies themselves. For dough, wrap tightly and freeze up to three months, then thaw in the fridge before baking. For baked cookies, place them in a freezer-safe container layered with parchment between batches to prevent sticking—they’ll last about two months this way.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy warm cookies after storing, pop them in a low-temperature oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes or microwave briefly to revive that freshly baked softness and melty chocolate goodness.
FAQs
Can I use other types of chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips?
Absolutely! You can substitute with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips depending on your taste preferences. Each type will add its unique flair to your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Will the cookies turn out well if I skip the nuts?
Yes! Nuts are completely optional and only add extra texture. If you prefer a nut-free cookie or have allergies, feel free to omit them without affecting the overall deliciousness.
How can I make my cookies thicker and chewier?
Chilling the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking is a great trick. It helps the dough spread less during baking, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies that everyone loves.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just be sure the blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to maintain the right texture.
How do I get the festive holiday colors in my cookies?
Adding red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles as shown in this Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is the easiest way to brighten them up. You can also choose green or red tinted chocolate chips or drizzle melted festive-colored candy melts on top for more color.
Final Thoughts
This Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a true holiday treasure—simple to make, bursting with festive spirit, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s your first time baking holiday cookies or you’re perfecting a tried-and-true favorite, I encourage you to grab these ingredients, get your oven warm, and make your season sweeter with these charming cookies. Happy baking and happy holidays!
Print
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive twist on the beloved traditional cookie, perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft and chewy with buttery richness, they are generously filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips and optional red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles and chopped nuts for added color and texture. Ideal for sharing, these easy-to-make cookies bring warmth and joy to your Christmas gatherings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles (optional)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. This will help distribute the leavening and salt evenly throughout the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This aeration creates a soft texture in the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to incorporate thoroughly. Then mix in the vanilla extract to add flavor depth.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Optional Add-ins: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips along with optional holiday M&M’s or sprinkles and nuts if using, evenly distributing them throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheets: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers remain soft for a chewy texture.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the pan for 2 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly and retain their texture.
Notes
- For thicker cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking.
- Use festive chocolate chips or colored sprinkles to enhance the Christmas-themed look of the cookies.
