There’s nothing quite like pulling a tray of warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies from the oven during the holiday season. These Christmas-inspired Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and perfectly golden with festive add-ins that make them extra special for gift boxes, cookie exchanges, and cozy nights by the tree. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings or leaving a sweet treat out for Santa, this classic recipe will bring joy to every cookie lover.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Servings: 24 cookies
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional Christmas add-ins:
- ½ to 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup red & green M&Ms
- Holiday sprinkles
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Tip: For the chewiest texture, use room-temperature butter (soft but not melted) and avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added.
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add cinnamon here if using.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Stir in the chocolate chips and any optional holiday mix-ins like M&Ms or nuts.
- Scoop the Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden while centers remain soft. Do not overbake—cookies firm up as they cool!
- Cool and Serve: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Holiday Baking Tip: For picture-perfect cookies, gently press a few chocolate chips or M&Ms onto the tops of the cookie dough balls before baking.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) — Estimated
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 110mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 24g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 17g
- Protein: 2g
Conclusion
These Christmas-ready Chocolate Chip Cookies bring together everything you love about the classic recipe with a festive twist—soft centers, perfectly crisp edges, and rich chocolate in every bite. They’re simple enough for beginners, yet delicious enough to impress at holiday gatherings. Whether you’re filling cookie tins, preparing a holiday dessert board, or baking with family, this recipe is sure to become a seasonal favorite. Enjoy the warmth, sweetness, and joy these cookies bring to your Christmas celebrations!
