Festive Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe

These melt-in-your-mouth winter wonderland chocolate chip Christmas cookies shimmer with festive magic and childhood nostalgia.

Sweet memories dance through every delectable bite of this classic treat.

Soft, buttery dough studded with rich chocolate chips creates a comforting winter indulgence.

Sprinkled with delicate snowflake-like powdered sugar, each cookie looks like a miniature snow scene.

The aroma of warm vanilla and melted chocolate fills the kitchen with irresistible warmth.

Baking these cookies connects generations through a shared love of simple, delicious moments.

You’ll want to savor every delightful crumb of this heartwarming holiday recipe.

Why Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Are So Fun

• Deck the Halls with Festive Flavor: Transform your ordinary chocolate chip cookies into a magical winter treat that captures the spirit of the holiday season with delightful candy cane and white chocolate chips.
• Bake with Minimal Fuss: Gather simple ingredients and follow straightforward steps that make these cookies a breeze to prepare, perfect for busy home bakers wanting to create something special.
• Crowd-Pleasing Holiday Delight: These cookies are guaranteed to impress family and friends, offering a delicious twist on classic chocolate chip cookies that brings joy and cheer to any gathering.
• Sprinkle Some Christmas Magic: The snowflake sprinkles add a whimsical touch that makes these cookies visually stunning, turning them into an edible decoration that doubles as a delectable dessert.

Everything Needed for Winter Wonderland Cookies

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredients that contribute to the cookie's sweetness and help create a golden-brown color.
• Eggs: Binding agents that help hold the cookie dough together and provide structure.
• Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the base of the cookie dough.

• Chocolate Chips, White Chocolate Chips: Sweet morsels that add rich chocolate flavor and create delightful pockets of melted chocolate.
• Crushed Candy Canes: Festive peppermint pieces that bring a holiday touch and add a cool, refreshing crunch.

• Vanilla Extract: A flavor enhancer that adds depth and warmth to the cookie's taste.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt: Leavening agents and seasoning that help the cookies rise and balance the sweetness.

• Snowflake Sprinkles: Festive decorations that add a winter wonderland touch to the cookies.

Steps for Baking Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and clean-up.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend soft butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy. The texture should look fluffy and smooth.

Step 3: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and stir until everything is well combined.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

Ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.

Stir gently until just combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough.

Step 6: Add Festive Mix-Ins

• Chocolate chips
• Crushed candy canes
• White chocolate chips

Step 7: Shape Cookies

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave space between each cookie for spreading.

Step 8: Decorate Cookies

Sprinkle snowflake-shaped decorations on top of each cookie for a winter wonderland touch.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Step 10: Cool and Serve

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive treats!

Notes for Soft and Festive Cookie Fans

• Use a rolling pin or food processor to create a mix of fine and chunky candy cane pieces for varied texture and visual appeal in your cookies.
• Gently fold chocolate chips and white chocolate chips to ensure even spread throughout the dough without overmixing.
• Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to help maintain the cookies' shape and prevent excessive spreading.
• Sprinkle snowflake decorations immediately after removing cookies from the oven while they're still warm for better adherence.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their festive look and texture.

Creative Twists for Holiday Cookie Baking

• Gluten-Free Winter Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Peppermint Chip Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and select dairy-free white chocolate chips for a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Holiday Treat: Substitute granulated and brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining cookie sweetness.
• Nut-Friendly Festive Version: Add chopped almonds or pecans for extra crunch and nutty flavor, creating a more complex holiday cookie experience.

Pairings for Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

• Pair with Festive Hot Chocolate: Whip up a rich, creamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes to complement the cookie's minty chocolate flavor.
• Create a Peppermint Milk Companion: Blend cold milk with a dash of peppermint extract and a touch of white chocolate syrup for a refreshing drink that echoes the cookie's winter theme.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm cookies to create a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures that highlights the cookie's sweet and minty profile.
• Match with Spiced Christmas Tea: Brew a warming cinnamon or chai tea that provides a spicy counterpoint to the cookie's sweet chocolate and peppermint notes.

Storing Christmas Cookies for the Season

• Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing sticking.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, restoring their soft texture and original taste.
• Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to enjoy them like freshly baked treats.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Yes, you can swap milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips depending on your preference. Just maintain the same total amount of chocolate chips in the recipe.

• How do I crush candy canes without making a mess?

Place unwrapped candy canes in a sealed plastic bag and gently crush them using a rolling pin or the back of a heavy spoon. This method contains the pieces and prevents scattered fragments.

• Are the snowflake sprinkles necessary?

No, they’re optional. You can skip them or replace with white sugar crystals or pearl sprinkles for a similar festive winter look.

• How can I make my cookies softer?

Don’t overbake. Remove cookies from the oven when edges are just turning golden and centers look slightly underdone. They’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet and retain moisture.

Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Magical Christmas chocolate chip cookies bring festive cheer straight from Santa’s North Pole kitchen. Sweet chocolate morsels and warm spices create a delightful holiday treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Baking Essentials:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Festive Toppings:

• 1 cup crushed candy canes
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• Snowflake sprinkles, for decoration

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange parchment paper on a baking sheet.
2. Using an electric mixer, blend butter with granulated and brown sugars until smooth and airy.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, then mix in vanilla extract thoroughly.
4. In a separate container, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt with a whisk.
5. Slowly integrate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated.
6. Gently fold chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, and white chocolate chips into the dough.
7. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheet, spacing them to allow spreading.
8. Sprinkle snowflake decorations across cookie surfaces for festive appearance.
9. Bake 10-12 minutes until cookie edges turn golden brown.
10. Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Add extra crushed candy canes on top after baking for more festive crunch and minty flavor burst.
• Swap white chocolate chips with dark chocolate for a richer, less sweet version that adults might prefer.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
• Use gluten-free flour blend as a perfect substitute for traditional flour to make these cookies celiac-friendly without compromising texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 176
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 95 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg