If you’re looking to fill your home with the warm, inviting scent of freshly baked cookies, this Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies perfectly combine the nostalgic richness of semi-sweet chocolate chips with a festive pop of red and green holiday M&M’s, creating a treat that’s both timeless and joyful. Whether you’re baking for a cozy family gathering or gifting to friends, these cookies promise a delightful bite of holiday magic in every morsel.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity and carefully chosen ingredients that harmonize to create the perfect balance of taste, texture, and color. Each component serves a purpose, from the creamy butter that lends richness, to the burst of color from festive M&M’s that spread holiday cheer.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): The base for a tender, flavorful cookie with just the right amount of moisture.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies achieve a crisp edge.
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed): Brings a hint of caramel depth and chewiness.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the dough together while adding richness.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a sweet aromatic touch.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure, ensuring the cookies hold together beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread to a lovely shape.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: The classic melty pockets of chocolate everyone craves.
- 1/2 cup red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles: Adds festive color and a crunchy surprise.
How to Make Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Taking this step upfront makes the baking process smooth and stress-free.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aeration step is key to giving your cookies a tender and delicious crumb, plus that irresistible chew.
Step 3: Mix in Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract for that classic warm, sweet aroma we all love in holiday cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning, which is crucial for consistent baking results.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so mix gently to maintain that tender texture.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Holiday M&M’s
Now for the fun part: fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles. These bright pops of color and melty chocolate pockets make every bite festive and joyful.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, watching closely until the edges turn a light golden brown but the centers remain soft—this gives you that perfect chewy center we all crave.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time helps the cookies set perfectly without losing moisture or becoming too fragile.
How to Serve Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are gorgeous on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can add a lovely snowy effect, enhancing their festive appeal. You can also sprinkle a few extra M&M’s on top just before baking for an extra colorful burst.
Side Dishes
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies go wonderfully with a glass of cold milk for dipping or a steaming cup of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream. For adults, pairing these cookies with a warm spiced eggnog or coffee with a hint of cinnamon brings an extra cozy holiday feeling.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gifting, stack a few cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a bright ribbon, or arrange them neatly on a festive platter for parties. You can also sandwich them with a layer of peppermint-flavored buttercream for an indulgent cookie treat that looks as special as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and chewy for up to one week. Adding a slice of bread into the container can help maintain their moisture and freshness longer.
Freezing
You can freeze the raw cookie dough in tablespoon-sized scoops on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once firm. When ready to bake, pop them in the oven straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze wonderfully too—just wrap them tightly to avoid freezer burn.
Reheating
To bring cookies back to life, warm them for 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave or for a few minutes in a low-temperature oven. This melts the chocolate chips slightly and revives that fresh-baked warmth, making them irresistible all over again.
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate in this recipe?
Absolutely! While semi-sweet chocolate chips are classic, you can swap in white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or even a mix of your favorites to customize the flavor and texture of your cookies.
Do these cookies need to be chilled before baking?
Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes isn’t required, but it helps the cookies spread less and results in a thicker, chewier texture. If you’re short on time, baking immediately will still yield delicious cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour will work well. Just make sure your blend includes xanthan gum or another binding agent for the best texture.
How should I store these cookies if I want them to stay fresh longer?
Keeping them in an airtight container at room temperature is best for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies or the dough. Always make sure cookies are completely cool before sealing to prevent sogginess.
Are there any fun variations of the Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe to try?
Definitely! Try adding crushed peppermint candy, swapping M&M’s for butterscotch chips, or mixing in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for little surprises. These tweaks keep the cookies festive and exciting year after year.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about a batch of homemade cookies during the holidays, and with this Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, you’re sure to create joyful memories alongside delicious treats. Easy to make, irresistibly festive, and utterly comforting, these cookies will become a cherished part of your holiday tradition. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake up some smiles!
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
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive twist on the beloved chocolate chip cookie, enhanced with colorful red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles. These soft, chewy cookies combine semi-sweet chocolate chips with traditional holiday colors, making them perfect for seasonal celebrations and gifting.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture for the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning agents.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid over-mixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and M&M’s: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and holiday M&M’s or sprinkles to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Form Cookie Dough Balls: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for a chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to produce thicker, chewier cookies.
- Substitute white chocolate chips or crushed peppermint candies for a festive flavor variation.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
