Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe

Cozy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe

Crafting delightful winter wonderland chocolate chip christmas cookies brings pure magic to your holiday kitchen.

Sweet aromas will soon dance through your home, creating memories that sparkle like freshly fallen snow.

Soft butter and rich chocolate meld together, promising comfort in every delectable bite.

Each ingredient tells a story of warmth and celebration.

Magical moments happen when simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary.

Families gather, anticipating the first crisp, chocolatey crunch that signals festive joy.

Ready to bake happiness into every delicious morsel?

Why Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Feel Magical

  • Craft Holiday Magic: Simple steps transform basic ingredients into delightful Christmas cookies that sparkle with festive cheer.
  • Festive Family Fun: Perfect recipe for creating memories together, letting kids help sprinkle candy canes and chocolate chips while bonding in the kitchen.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: These cookies blend classic chocolate chip comfort with seasonal peppermint twist, making them irresistible for holiday gatherings and potlucks.
  • Quick Seasonal Treat: Minimal preparation and short baking time mean you can satisfy sweet cravings without spending hours in the kitchen, leaving more time for holiday celebrations.

Everything In Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key foundation that provides structure and volume to the Christmas cookies.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and achieve a soft, tender texture.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base that contributes to the cookies' soft and tender consistency.
  • White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a delightful caramelized flavor and golden color.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Mix-In Ingredients:
  • White Chocolate Chips, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Deliver bursts of chocolate flavor and create delightful texture variations.
  • Peppermint Candy Canes: Introduce a festive winter mint flavor and add a crunchy, colorful element.
  • Sprinkles: Provide a cheerful, decorative touch that captures the holiday spirit.

Steps To Bake Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Space

Get your oven warmed up to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for hassle-free cookie making.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Blend until everything looks perfectly combined and smooth.

Step 3: Create Creamy Butter Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with white and brown sugars. Whip it up until the mixture looks super fluffy and turns a light, dreamy color. This should take about 3-4 minutes of happy mixing.

Step 4: Add Egg Magic

Crack eggs into the butter-sugar mixture one at a time. Mix thoroughly after each egg, then splash in vanilla extract for that irresistible aroma.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Worlds

Slowly fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently to keep the dough tender – no aggressive mixing allowed!

Step 6: Deck Out the Dough

Fold in your festive mix-ins:
  • White chocolate chips
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Crushed peppermint candy canes
  • Holiday sprinkles

Make sure everything is evenly distributed for maximum deliciousness.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Wonderland

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to give them room to spread their holiday cheer.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Pop the cookies in the oven for 9-11 minutes. Look for golden brown edges and soft centers. Spin the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even baking.

Step 9: Cool and Set

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This helps them firm up. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Add Final Festive Touches

Sprinkle extra holiday magic with additional festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Create a winter wonderland right on your cookie plate!

Tips For Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Perfection

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to keep cookies tender and soft, avoiding tough, dense textures.
  • Chill Dough Option: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, more structured cookies.
  • Control Candy Cane Intensity: Crush peppermint candy canes finely for a subtle minty flavor or leave chunks for bold bursts of peppermint in each bite.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring butter and eggs to room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother incorporation and better cookie texture.
  • Precision in Baking: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon for uniform cookie sizes, ensuring even baking and consistent appearance across the batch.

Creative Spins On Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

  • Peppermint Bark Cookies: Replace semi-sweet chocolate chips with crushed dark chocolate bark and add extra peppermint extract for an intense mint flavor profile.
  • Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Variation: Mix in ground ginger, cinnamon, and molasses to transform the base dough into a spiced holiday cookie with chocolate chips.
  • Nutty Winter Sensation: Incorporate chopped toasted pecans or almonds alongside white chocolate chips, creating a crunchy texture with rich winter warmth.
  • Snowflake Sugar Dusting: After cooling, lightly dust cookies with powdered sugar to mimic a fresh snowfall, enhancing the winter wonderland aesthetic and adding subtle sweetness.

Perfect Pairings For Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

  • Pair with Festive Milk Companion: Serve these winter cookies alongside chilled eggnog or peppermint-infused milk for a creamy, seasonal beverage that enhances the chocolate and peppermint flavors.
  • Complement with Warming Winter Tea: Brew a spiced chai or cinnamon tea that creates a cozy contrast to the sweet cookies, offering a warming and aromatic drinking experience.
  • Match with Hot Cocoa Indulgence: Prepare rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes, mirroring the cookie's peppermint and chocolate notes for a decadent pairing.
  • Create Dessert Wine Experience: Select a sweet dessert wine like port or moscato, which provides a luxurious adult complement to the cookies' festive sweetness and adds elegant complexity.

Store Winter Wonderland Christmas Cookies Like A Pro

  • Place cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days at cool room temperature.
  • Wrap individual cookies or entire batches tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, storing for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
  • Store cookies in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources, maintaining their crisp edges and soft centers for 3-4 days at room temperature.
  • Prepare cookie dough in advance, shape into balls, and freeze uncooked dough on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months, baking directly from frozen state when needed.

FAQs For Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

  • Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.

  • How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking and ensure your butter is softened but not melted to help maintain the cookie’s shape.

  • Are these cookies good for holiday gift giving?

Absolutely! These cookies are perfect for holiday gift giving. They travel well, look festive, and taste delicious when packed in cute holiday tins or gift bags.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 weeks, making holiday baking more convenient.

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Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe

Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 31 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Festive winter wonderland chocolate chip christmas cookies promise pure holiday magic with rich chocolate and warm spices. Delightful crumbles melt in your mouth, whisking you straight to cheerful seasonal celebrations.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Festive Mix-Ins:

  • 2 cups white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy canes
  • 1/4 cup festive sprinkles (white, silver, and blue)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect cookie release.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture that will ensure even texture throughout the cookies.
  3. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream softened butter with white and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract for a rich, aromatic flavor.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
  6. Gently fold in white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candy canes, and festive sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
  7. Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
  8. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until edges turn golden brown and centers appear slightly soft, rotating the baking sheet halfway through for even cooking.
  9. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Garnish with additional sprinkles or crushed candy canes if desired, creating a festive winter wonderland look that captures the holiday spirit.

Notes

  • Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies tender and prevent a tough texture.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
  • Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother mixing and better cookie consistency.
  • Crush candy canes finely to distribute flavor evenly and prevent large, hard chunks in the cookies.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
  • Create dairy-free version by using plant-based butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
  • Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months, baking directly from frozen state with slight time adjustment.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 11 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 85 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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