Oh, the smell of baking Christmas cookies is just pure magic, isn’t it? For me, nothing screams ‘holidays’ quite like a batch of warm, chewy chocolate chip cookies, but with a special festive flair! These Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies aren’t just any cookie; they’re my go-to recipe that’s been perfected over years of eager holiday baking. They take the classic, beloved chocolate chip cookie we all know and love and sprinkle in just the right amount of holiday cheer. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces when they bite into these is seriously my favorite part of the season!
Why These Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Are a Holiday Must-Have
Okay, so why should you absolutely add these to your holiday baking list? Trust me, they’re a total game-changer for so many reasons!
- Super Easy to Make: Even if you’re new to baking, you can totally nail these cookies. They come together so quickly, which means more time for decking the halls or sipping on some eggnog.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Who doesn’t love a good chocolate chip cookie? These are that classic, comforting flavor everyone adores, but with a fun, festive twist. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or just keeping a stash at home for Santa (or for yourself!).
- Holiday Sparkle: The sprinkles are pure magic! They instantly make these cookies look super festive and special. You’ll be amazed at how a simple sprinkle can transform a classic into a Christmas showstopper.
- Makes Your Home Smell Amazing: Seriously, the aroma of these baking – the chocolate, the butter, a hint of vanilla with that festive hint from the sprinkles – is the best kind of Christmas perfume. It just makes your house feel so cozy and inviting.
Gather Your Ingredients for Perfect Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Alright, let’s get down to business! The secret to amazing Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies isn’t just in the mixing; it’s in using good stuff. I always try to grab the best quality ingredients I can find, especially butter and chocolate chips, because, trust me, it really makes a difference. Make sure you have everything measured out and ready to go before you start creaming. It makes the whole process so much smoother!
Essential Dry Ingredients for Your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
First things first, we need our dry foundations. You’ll need 2 and 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda to give them a little lift, and 1 teaspoon of salt to balance all that sweetness.
The Wet Ingredients That Make These Cookies Shine
Now for the heart of the cookie! Grab a cup of unsalted butter (that’s two sticks, softened – super important for creaming!), 3/4 cup of good old granulated sugar, and another 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar for that perfect chewiness and caramel note. Don’t forget 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to whisk in that lovely aroma, and of course, two large eggs to bind it all together.
Festive Add-ins for Your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here’s where the real Christmas magic happens! We’re talking 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips – make sure they’re good ones! And for that festive pop, you’ll want 1 cup of your favorite holiday sprinkles. I usually go for the jimmies style because they hold their color so well in the oven, but any fun holiday mix works! If you can’t find any, King Arthur Baking has a great selection and tons of other cookie inspo too!
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Alright, let’s get these festive beauties into the oven! Following these steps is key to getting that perfect chewy center and slightly crisp edge that makes my Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies so amazing. Don’t rush through this part; it’s where the magic really happens!
Preheating and Preparing Your Baking Sheets
First things first, let’s get that oven nice and toasty at 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Trust me, this step is a lifesaver for cleanup and helps the cookies bake evenly without sticking. Make sure you leave about 2 inches between each cookie later on – they need some space to spread!
Mixing the Dry Ingredients for Your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Grab a small bowl and whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Just a quick whisk to make sure everything is nicely combined. This ensures the leavening and salt are distributed evenly, so you don’t end up with a weird taste or texture in any one cookie.
Creating the Perfect Cookie Dough Base
Now for the star of the show – creaming! In your big mixing bowl, beat together that softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugars until it’s super light and fluffy. It should look almost pale yellow. Then, beat in your eggs one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in that teaspoon of vanilla extract. This is a crucial step for texture, so don’t skimp on the creaming time! If you’re ever unsure about creaming butter and sugar, my baking tips post has more on getting it just right.
Incorporating the Chocolate Chips and Festive Sprinkles
Gently fold in your chocolate chips and those gorgeous holiday sprinkles. Mix until they’re just distributed throughout the dough. You don’t want to overmix here, or you could end up with tougher cookies, and nobody wants that!
Portioning and Arranging the Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Time to scoop! Use rounded tablespoons of the dough – either with a cookie scoop or just two spoons. Drop them onto those prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one. This gives them enough room to spread out a bit as they bake.
Baking Your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies to Perfection
Pop those baking sheets into your preheated oven. Bake for about 9 to 11 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be a beautiful golden brown, but the centers should still look a little soft. That’s the secret to a chewy cookie! If you prefer them crispier, go for the longer bake time, but I honestly love them when they’re still a bit gooey in the middle.
Cooling and Finishing Your Festive Cookies
Once they’re out of the oven, let the cookies hang out on the baking sheets for just a few minutes – maybe 2 to 5 minutes. This helps them set up a bit. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. And voilà! Perfect Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies ready to be devoured.
Tips for the Best Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
You know, baking is all about a little bit of science and a whole lot of love, and I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years that make these Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies even more special. Don’t be afraid to play around; that’s how you get to that perfect cookie! If you ever need to make substitutions, my ingredient substitution guide is a lifesaver.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Christmas Cookies
For the chocolate chips, I usually stick with semisweet because they’re not too sweet and have a great chocolatey punch. But hey, if you love dark chocolate, go for it! Or even a mix! For the sprinkles, make sure they’re the kind that don’t bleed all their color into the dough and turn everything murky. Classic jimmies or nonpareils in holiday colors are your best bet. If you’re out of all-purpose flour, a 1:1 gluten-free blend works pretty well, too.
Variations to Personalize Your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Want to mix things up? Absolutely! I sometimes toss in about half a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts with the chocolate chips for a nice crunch. A little swirl of peppermint extract alongside the vanilla can also give them a really festive wintery flavor. Or, try using white chocolate chips for a snowy look!
Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Got questions about making these festive treats? I’ve got you covered!
Can I make the Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can totally make the dough a day or two ahead and keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge. Or, go ahead and scoop the dough balls onto a parchment-lined tray, freeze them until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Just pop them onto your baking sheet and add a few extra minutes to the bake time when you’re ready!
How do I store leftover Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Once they’re completely cooled, store your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re usually best within 3-4 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Why are my Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies spreading too much?
Oh, that can be frustrating! Usually, it means the dough was too warm, so make sure your butter wasn’t *too* soft when you creamed it. Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking can really help. Also, double-checking your flour measurement and not packing it too tightly in the cup makes a difference!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info for these Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies is an estimate, okay? It really depends on the brands you use and exactly how big you make your cookies. But generally, you’re looking at about 150 calories per cookie, with around 8g of fat (that’s about 5g saturated fat), 2g of protein, and 18g of carbs. And there’s roughly 15g of sugar and 75mg of sodium in there too. It’s always good to keep in mind that these are just guidelines!
Share Your Festive Creations!
I just LOVE seeing your baking adventures! Have you made these Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies? Did you add your own special sprinkle magic? Please, PLEASE leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out! If you’ve got pics, tag me on social media – I can’t wait to see your gorgeous, festive cookies!
Print
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 3 dozen 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic chocolate chip cookies with a festive twist, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup festive holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For softer cookies, bake for a shorter time.
- For crispier cookies, bake for a longer time.
- You can add chopped nuts to the dough if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, chocolate chip cookies, holiday baking, festive cookies, easy cookie recipe