If you’re ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked treats, these Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are a must-bake! This festive spin on the classic recipe is bursting with melty chocolate chips, pops of red and green M&Ms, and maybe a sprinkle or two for that holiday magic. They’re chewy in the middle, lightly crisp at the edges, and an instant hit with all ages. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings or assembling homemade gifts, Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies promise to make your holiday celebrations extra sweet and memorable!

Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pulling together a batch of Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies is delightfully simple, and every ingredient has a hand in making them special. From the buttery base to the festive bursts of candy and sprinkles, here’s what you’ll need and why you shouldn’t skip a single thing:

Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates a rich, tender cookie and adds that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and just enough crispness to the edges.
Light brown sugar: Provides deeper flavor and helps keep the cookies soft and chewy in the middle.
Large eggs: Bind the dough and give your cookies structure; room temperature eggs mix in best!
Vanilla extract: A spoonful of holiday magic that enhances all the cozy flavors.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of your dough, providing substance and bite.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise, spreading just enough for those perfect, soft centers.
Baking powder: Adds a gentle lift to achieve that slight puffiness.
Salt: Balances and brightens all the sweet, rich flavors—don’t skip it!
Semisweet chocolate chips: The classic chocolatey goodness in every bite.
Red and green M&M’s: Splash the cookies with vibrant Christmas color and crunchy pops of chocolate.
White chocolate chips: Add creamy sweetness and a pretty contrast that looks so festive in each cookie.
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Lend a toasty crunch for those who can’t resist a nutty bite.
Holiday-themed sprinkles (optional): Pure fun—crank up the festivity as much as you like!

How to Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Equipment

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a couple of large baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking. Getting your pans ready before you mix ensures the dough is baked the moment it’s mixed, capturing all that freshness.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, blend the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and paler in color. Use a mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon and a little elbow grease. This step is crucial—it sets you up for cookies that are beautifully tender and flavorful.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Follow up with vanilla extract. This duo pulls everything together, making the dough lush and fragrant so that every single cookie feels like a holiday hug.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these separately first ensures that the leavening is distributed evenly, so your cookies bake up just right—thick, soft, and never flat.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, a bit at a time. Stir gently just until the flour disappears—overmixing can make cookies tough, and we want them perfectly tender!

Step 6: Stir in All the Festive Goodies

Fold in semisweet chocolate chips, red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and nuts if using. Every scoop of dough should be generously studded so that each cookie is a little bundle of holiday joy. For the full Christmas effect, save a few M&M’s and sprinkles to press on top right before baking.

Step 7: Scoop and Decorate

Scoop out heaping tablespoon-sized portions and give each cookie dough ball plenty of space on the sheet (about 2 inches apart). Gently press a few extra candies or festive sprinkles on top—you eat with your eyes first, after all!

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10–12 minutes, watching for edges that are golden while centers are still a bit soft. Don’t overbake; they’ll continue to set after you pull them from the oven. Let your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before carefully moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Trust me, the wait is worth it!

How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

For that true Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies showstopper presentation, a little extra flourish goes a long way. Just before serving, sprinkle the tops with additional holiday sprinkles or a dusting of powdered sugar snow. If you adore sparkle, even a few edible glitter flakes can make your cookie platter feel magical and merry!

Side Dishes

Nothing beats a plate of fresh Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies paired with ice-cold milk or cozy mugs of hot cocoa. For grown-up gatherings, try them with coffee or a festive spiced latte. You can even offer a bowl of vanilla or peppermint ice cream for a dreamy, cookie-based dessert sundae everyone will remember.

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful with your holiday gift giving! Stack your cookies in cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbon, nestle them in decorative holiday tins, or pile them high on a cake stand for an edible centerpiece. You can also sandwich two cookies with a smear of marshmallow fluff or Nutella for a fun surprise. No matter how you share them, Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies bring a festive spirit to any occasion.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you manage to have any Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies left after the first day, just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and perfect for up to five days—just make sure they’re fully cooled before sealing to prevent sogginess from steam.

Freezing

Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies freeze like a dream. Place cooled cookies in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container, separating layers with parchment. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls, ready to pop into the oven for fresh cookies any time the craving strikes. Either way, they keep beautifully for up to three months.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked freshness, reheat cookies for about 10 seconds in the microwave or a couple of minutes in a low oven (300°F is perfect). They’ll be soft, aromatic, and almost as if you just pulled them from the oven.

FAQs

Can I make these Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies nut-free?

Absolutely! Just omit the walnuts or pecans—your cookies will still be loaded with chocolate and festive flair. If you like, boost the sprinkle or chocolate chip quantities a touch to replace the volume and crunch.

Why do my cookies sometimes turn out flat?

Flat cookies usually mean either the butter was too soft or melted, or the dough wasn’t chilled if your kitchen is warm. For puffier cookies, try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, and be sure your butter is simply softened, not melted.

Can I swap other candies for the M&Ms?

Definitely! Try using other holiday-colored chocolate candies or even chopped chocolate bars. Customize your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies for other holidays by changing the color mix, or keep it classic—you can’t go wrong.

How do I know when the cookies are actually done?

The perfect moment is when the edges are golden but the centers are just set and still look slightly soft. They keep firming up as they cool, so don’t wait for them to look fully baked in the oven.

Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes, this recipe scales up beautifully! Simply double all ingredients and mix as directed, but bake in batches so you don’t overcrowd the sheets. Your whole house will smell like holiday happiness!

Final Thoughts

Baking a batch of Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies is just like wrapping a little piece of holiday cheer into every bite. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or savoring them by the twinkle of the tree, these cookies have a way of making the season even warmer and brighter. Happy holiday baking—you’ll be asked for this recipe again and again!