There’s nothing quite like the warm embrace of a freshly made batch of Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies. With buttery edges, gooey centers dotted with molten chocolate, and twinkling flecks of red and green, these cookies are the spirit of the holiday season in every bite. Whether you’re sharing with friends, leaving treats for Santa, or simply craving a little nostalgia, these cookies infuse your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of celebration.

Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simplicity truly shines in the ingredient list for these cookies, and each humble pantry staple plays a big role in the final treat. From building the perfect chewy texture to adding festive pops of color, every item is key to capturing the magic of Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Butter creates a luscious, rich base and helps the cookies become tender and flavorful.
Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): This ingredient sweetens and encourages those just-right crisp edges you know and love.
Brown sugar, packed (3/4 cup): A must for chewy, caramelly depth and a golden color.
Large eggs (2): Eggs are the binding hero, adding structure and moisture, so your cookies stay soft inside.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Vanilla amplifies all the cozy, familiar cookie flavors.
All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): Flour gives your cookies their body and that signature thick, bakery-style bite.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Baking soda lifts and spreads the cookies so they’re perfectly puffed.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Just a little salt balances the sweetness and makes every flavor pop.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 1/2 cups): These are where all the melty chocolate magic happens; can’t skip them!
Red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles (1/2 cup): Adds festive color and a playful crunch to your batch.

How to Make Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Let’s kick things off by preheating your oven to a reliable 350°F. Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for easy clean-up and guaranteed golden bottoms. Getting this step set up first means your dough can go right from bowl to oven with no fuss!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, use a sturdy spoon or mixer to cream the softened butter together with the granulated and brown sugars. Spend a few minutes here until the mixture turns light and fluffy; this is the secret to that iconic cookie texture. Your baking area should already start to smell amazing!

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Drop in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so the dough stays smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract with a gentle hand, and watch as your dough transforms into a rich, creamy dream that’s ready to embrace dry ingredients.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This mix makes sure everything rises and flavors are spread evenly. Gradually add the dry ingredients to your butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix or you’ll miss out on perfectly soft cookies!

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Festive Mix-Ins

Now for the fun part: fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and those cheerful red and green M&M’s (or festive sprinkles). Every spoonful of dough should glimmer with Christmas cheer! Try not to eat too much raw dough, though—you’ll want to save it for the oven.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to drop rounded mounds of dough onto your prepared sheets, leaving about two inches between each mound. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, watching for those lightly golden edges while the centers remain soft and tender. Remember, cookies continue to bake as they cool, so pull them from the oven before they’re fully set for that perfect chewy bite.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This helps them set without losing moisture. Once cooled, admire your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies, pour yourself a mug of cocoa, and dive in!

How to Serve Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

The magic is in the little details—try an extra shower of red and green sprinkles as soon as the cookies come out of the oven for dazzling color. You can also nestle a few more chocolate chips or M&M’s on top while they’re still warm for bakery-style looks.

Side Dishes

Of course, a tall glass of cold milk is the classic, unbeatable pairing for cookies. For a grown-up spin, try serving these with cinnamon-spiced hot chocolate, creamy eggnog, or even a rich espresso. They also make a perfect partner for a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re craving something cool and creamy.

Creative Ways to Present

Gift these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon, or stack them in a decorative tin for an easy DIY present. You can also assemble a cookie charcuterie board complete with mini marshmallows, peppermint candies, and chocolate bark for a show-stopping holiday dessert spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll retain their soft and chewy texture for up to a week, though chances are they’ll be gobbled up much sooner!

Freezing

If you want to plan ahead, scoop out the dough and freeze the unbaked cookie balls on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag and bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to your bake time. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to three months—just thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

To recreate that just-baked magic, microwave a cookie for about 10 seconds; the chocolate will get nice and melty. If reheating more at once, arrange them on a baking sheet and warm for a few minutes in a low (300°F) oven. You’ll be rewarded with a fresh-from-the-oven treat whenever you want.

FAQs

Can I substitute the M&M’s or sprinkles for other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Crushed candy canes, white chocolate chips, or even chopped dried cranberries are lovely seasonal swaps that keep these cookies feeling festive and unique.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?

If your cookies come out too thin, your butter might have been too soft or melted. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps control spreading for thick, bakery-style cookies.

Can I make Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour. The results will be just as delicious and festive for everyone to enjoy!

What’s the best way to keep cookies soft?

Storing cookies in an airtight container helps, but adding a piece of fresh bread to the container will also help them stay soft. The cookies absorb moisture from the bread rather than drying out.

How do I give these cookies extra pizzazz for a cookie swap?

Roll the cookie dough balls in extra holiday sprinkles before baking for bold color, or drizzle finished cookies with a bit of melted white chocolate for that irresistible bakery look.

Final Thoughts

Bringing a batch of Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies to life is like baking a little joy into every moment. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or savoring a quiet holiday evening, these cookies will quickly become a tradition you look forward to all season long. So tie on your apron and let the magic begin!

Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 36 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are a must for your holiday baking! Loaded with chocolate chips and festive M&M’s, these cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Additional:

1/2 cup red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture.
Stir in Chips and M&M’s: Fold in chocolate chips and holiday M&M’s or sprinkles.
Bake: Drop tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets and bake for 9–11 minutes until golden.
Cool: Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.