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
Scale
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
