If there’s one treat that instantly brings warmth, nostalgia, and a little extra sparkle to your holiday table, it’s Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies. With their perfectly crisp edges, chewy centers, and pops of red and green from festive M&M’s or sprinkles, these cookies are a true celebration of the season. Every bite is rich with gooey chocolate, a hint of cinnamon, and that unmistakable buttery flavor we all crave at Christmas. Whether you’re sharing with friends, gifting to neighbors, or sneaking one with your morning coffee, these cookies are destined to be your new holiday tradition.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making these Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies is all about simple, high-quality ingredients coming together to create magic. Each component has its own special role—from the brown sugar’s caramel notes to the sparkle of holiday sprinkles—guaranteeing flavor and festive flair in every bite.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that gives your cookies just the right amount of chew and structure.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and keeps them soft in the middle with just the right hint of crispness around the edges.
- Salt: A small amount brings out all the other flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Ensures a rich, buttery flavor and that perfect cookie texture—don’t skip the softening step!
- Brown sugar (packed): Adds a deep, caramelized sweetness and helps the cookies stay moist and chewy.
- Granulated sugar: Lends just the right amount of sweetness and helps the cookies spread a little in the oven.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds tenderness.
- Large egg yolk: The secret to extra richness and chewiness.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the cookies with classic, cozy aroma and an extra layer of flavor.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Melty pockets of chocolate are the heart and soul of this classic recipe.
- Red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles (optional): Adds festive color and a delightful crunch—perfect for Christmas celebrations.
- Ground cinnamon (optional): Just a hint brings a subtle warmth and holiday spirit to every bite.
How to Make Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup a breeze. This simple step sets you up for cookie success and ensures every batch bakes evenly.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if you’re adding it for that extra holiday touch). Whisking helps distribute the leavening and spice evenly, so you don’t end up with any surprises in your finished cookies.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for about 2–3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aerates the batter and sets the stage for those irresistible chewy centers.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined. The extra yolk is your secret weapon for rich, decadent cookies that stay soft no matter how many days they sit out (if they last that long!).
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing just until the flour disappears. Be careful not to overmix—this keeps your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies tender and delicate.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate and Festive Add-ins
Switch to a spatula and gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and, if you’re feeling extra festive, a generous handful of red and green M&M’s or sprinkles. This step is where the magic really happens, giving your cookies a pop of holiday cheer.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and space them about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheets. Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden and the centers look slightly underdone—they’ll firm up as they cool, keeping the centers deliciously soft.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set up perfectly and lets the chocolate chips stay a little gooey. Now, try to resist eating one (or three) before they’re fully cool!
How to Serve Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
A flourish of extra chocolate chips or a scattering of colorful holiday sprinkles on top of each cookie before baking makes them even more eye-catching. Once baked, a tiny dusting of powdered sugar gives that classic snowy effect, making your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies look straight out of a Christmas card.
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with mugs of hot cocoa, spiced cider, or even a festive chai latte for an irresistible holiday treat. For dessert platters, mix in peppermint bark, sugared cranberries, or candied nuts to make your cookie tray the star of the gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, layer the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon, or stack them in a seasonal tin lined with parchment. Arrange them in a wreath shape on a platter for a fun centerpiece, or serve them alongside tiny bowls of whipped cream or ice cream for a decadent cookie sundae bar.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Tuck a slice of bread in with the cookies to help keep them extra soft and fresh—trust me, it works wonders!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully, either baked or unbaked. For baked cookies, cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. For unbaked dough, scoop into balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag for easy, fresh-baked cookies on demand.
Reheating
If you love a warm, gooey cookie, pop leftovers in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a low oven for a few minutes. This brings back that just-baked taste and melty chocolate everyone craves.
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! While semisweet is classic, feel free to swap in milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips. You can even do a mix for extra chocolatey depth in your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Do I really need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough is optional, but it does help the cookies hold their shape and develop a richer flavor. If you like thicker, chewier cookies, chilling for at least 30 minutes is a great tip.
Can I add nuts to the recipe?
Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch and complement the chocolate perfectly. Just fold them in with your chocolate chips and sprinkles.
How do I keep my cookies soft?
An airtight container is key, along with that trick of adding a slice of bread to the container. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, staying soft and chewy for days.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The cookies will still bake up beautifully, so everyone can enjoy Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about baking a batch of Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies and sharing them with people you love. They’re festive, easy, and absolutely delicious—everything you want in a holiday cookie. Give them a try and make this recipe a new tradition in your home!
Print
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive twist on the beloved cookie, featuring rich semisweet chocolate chips and optional red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles. With a hint of cinnamon for enhanced holiday flavor, these chewy, buttery cookies are perfect for sharing during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional for festive flavor)
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup red and green holiday M&M’s or sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and optional ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, using a mixer or by hand, cream the softened unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until well combined, creating a smooth cookie dough base.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in chocolate and festive add-ins: Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and the optional holiday M&M’s or sprinkles for extra color and texture.
- Scoop dough and shape cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop dough balls and place them two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow cookies to spread evenly.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges turn golden but the centers remain soft for a chewy texture.
- Cool and serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For thicker cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking.
- Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for additional crunch and flavor.
- These cookies freeze well and can be stored in an airtight container for future enjoyment or given as delicious edible gifts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
