If you’re on the lookout for a cozy, festive treat that captures the joy and warmth of the holiday season, this Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is your go-to. Imagine soft, chewy cookies loaded with rich chocolate chips and a hint of vanilla, plus that cheerful pop of red and green from festive sprinkles or M&M’s that make every bite feel like a celebration. These cookies are the perfect blend of simplicity and holiday magic, making your kitchen smell like Christmas and your loved ones smile with every crumb.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but absolutely essential. Each one plays a critical role in creating cookies with the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and that irresistible holiday look.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure and tenderness in every cookie bite.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for that soft, chewy texture.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature: Adds richness and keeps cookies moist and tender.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Gives a subtle sweetness and a slight crispness on the edges.
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar: Brings deep, caramel-like notes and extra chewiness.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Infuses every cookie with warm, comforting flavor.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add to the cookie’s softness.
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips: The undeniable star that guarantees bursts of melty chocolate in every bite.
- 1/2 cup festive colored sprinkles or red/green M&M’s (optional): Adds a fun, colorful holiday twist that’s visually irresistible.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances the overall flavors and balances the sweetness.
How to Make Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep your dry ingredients
Start off by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed, which will help your cookies bake perfectly uniform every time.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars
In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter with both granulated and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which helps give your cookies that irresistible chewy yet tender texture while enhancing their sweetness.
Step 3: Add eggs and vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully blended before adding the next. Then stir in the pure vanilla extract. These ingredients add moisture and rich flavor, binding the dough together beautifully.
Step 4: Combine wet and dry
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding gently by hand. The key here is not to overmix so your cookies stay tender and don’t become tough.
Step 5: Fold in chocolate chips and sprinkles
Finally, stir in the semisweet chocolate chips and, if you’re feeling festive, the colored sprinkles or red and green M&M’s. This is what brings the signature holiday spirit to this Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Step 6: Bake to perfection
Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This cooling step lets the cookies set perfectly without losing their softness.
How to Serve Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the colorful sprinkles or M&M’s add instant festive charm, you can also dust your cookies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snowy effect. For extra indulgence, drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the top before serving.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk—whether classic dairy or your favorite plant-based alternative—to balance the sweetness. Hot cocoa or a spiced chai tea also complements the warm vanilla and chocolate notes perfectly, turning your snack into a cozy holiday moment.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe on a festive platter layered with evergreen branches or holiday-themed napkins to instantly elevate presentation. You can also package them in clear cellophane bags tied with a red or green ribbon for a charming homemade gift that everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for up to five days, meaning you can bake in advance and enjoy them throughout the season without worry.
Freezing
The cookie dough freezes beautifully! Scoop the dough into balls and place them on a tray to freeze individually for a couple of hours. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, just pop the dough balls straight into the oven—a perfect way to have fresh cookies anytime the holiday cravings hit.
Reheating
If your cookies have cooled and lost a bit of their fresh-from-the-oven softness, warm them in a microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. This lovely trick revives their melty, gooey charm instantly.
FAQs
Can I substitute the all-purpose flour?
While all-purpose flour works best for the classic texture, you can use a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking if you need a gluten-free option. Just make sure it’s a 1-to-1 substitution blend for best results.
What’s the secret to chewy versus crispy cookies?
Using a higher ratio of brown sugar to granulated sugar gives chewier cookies, while granulated sugar encourages crispness. Also, slightly underbaking and letting the cookies cool on the sheet will keep them soft and chewy.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips depending on your taste, but semisweet chocolate chips provide the ideal balance of sweetness and richness in this recipe.
Are the sprinkles necessary?
Not at all! The sprinkles or red and green M&M’s are an optional festive twist to brighten up the Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe visually, but the cookies taste incredible even without them.
How do I make these cookies vegan?
You can substitute butter with vegan butter and use flax eggs (ground flaxseed mixed with water) instead of regular eggs. Choose vegan chocolate chips to keep the recipe completely plant-based.
Final Thoughts
This Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe truly brings the spirit of the holidays into your kitchen and onto your plate. It’s a simple, joyful recipe that fills your home with warmth, delight, and the sweet comfort of tradition. Give it a try this season—it might just become your new favorite holiday treat to share with friends and family for years to come!
Print
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive twist on the beloved traditional cookie. These soft, buttery cookies studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and colorful holiday sprinkles or red and green M&M’s are perfect for celebrating the holiday season. With easy-to-follow steps and a balanced blend of sweet flavors, they make an ideal treat to share at Christmas gatherings or enjoy with a glass of milk by the fire.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Add-ins
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup festive colored sprinkles or red/green M&Ms (optional, for a holiday twist)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature while you prepare the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the room temperature unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the pure vanilla extract for flavor depth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles: Gently fold the semisweet chocolate chips and festive sprinkles or M&Ms into the dough, ensuring they are evenly distributed without breaking them up.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on it for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking apart.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, serve the cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite holiday beverage. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh for several days.
Notes
- For softer cookies, underbake by a minute or two. For crispier edges, bake a bit longer.
- Using room temperature butter helps achieve a creamier dough and better texture.
- Substitute festive sprinkles with chopped nuts or white chocolate chips if desired.
- Ensure not to overmix the dough after adding flour to avoid tough cookies.
- These cookies can be frozen in dough form for up to 3 months; bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
