Every holiday table deserves at least one batch of Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies, overflowing with gooey chocolate, festive M&Ms, and plenty of holiday cheer. These cookies are my absolute go-to for cookie exchanges, family gatherings, and those magical late-night baking sessions when the house smells like melted chocolate and everyone gathers in the kitchen for “just a taste.” With their soft centers, colorful crunch, and sparkling sprinkles, these cookies deliver the taste of Christmas in every bite. If you’ve never made a batch before, trust me, the warm, buttery aroma alone will put you right in the holiday spirit!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the joys of Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies is just how easy they are to whip up. Each ingredient brings its own special magic—whether it’s tenderness, sweetness, or that signature gooey chocolate melt. Here’s what you’ll need and why it’s worth making sure everything is just right:
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to your cookies, ensuring they’re soft but not crumbly.
- Baking soda: Helps your cookies rise just the right amount for that perfect thick, chewy bite.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances all that sweetness.
- Unsalted butter, softened: The key to rich flavor and that melt-in-your-mouth texture, so let it come to room temperature.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and a little crispness to the edges.
- Brown sugar, packed: Infuses caramel notes and keeps your cookies delightfully chewy.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together for just the right amount of lift and richness.
- Vanilla extract: Don’t skip this—it rounds out all the flavors and makes your kitchen smell heavenly.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Delivers that classic gooey chocolate element in every bite.
- Red and green M&Ms: Provides crunch, color, and festive flair—perfect for the holidays!
- Holiday sprinkles: Adds sparkle and crunch, transforming your cookies into a merry masterpiece.
How to Make Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Get started by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the magic number for golden edges and soft centers. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this makes sure your cookies bake evenly and cleanup is a breeze. No sticking, no fuss, just perfect Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies every time.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking helps evenly blend the leaveners and salt throughout the flour, which means every bite of your cookies will be just right. Set this bowl aside—don’t worry, you’ll be using it again soon!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter together with the granulated and brown sugars. This process introduces air into the mixture, making your cookies fluffy inside while staying rich and tasty. Beat until the mixture is light and creamy—this is where the magic begins.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Now, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract. The eggs help bind everything, while that vanilla gives your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies their undeniably comforting flavor.
Step 5: Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. You want to mix until just combined—overmixing can toughen the cookies. At this stage, the dough will look irresistibly creamy and thick.
Step 6: Fold in the Goodies
This is the fun part! Gently fold the chocolate chips, M&Ms, and holiday sprinkles into the dough. Every spoonful should get a generous helping of all the colorful, chocolatey fixings that make Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies so joyful.
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart—these cookies need room to spread into perfect circles. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look a tad soft. Trust me, they’ll set as they cool!
Step 8: Cool and Share
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This short wait helps them finish setting up and makes them easier to move—plus, it keeps those soft middles intact. Now, try not to eat them all at once!
How to Serve Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra holiday sprinkles on top (just before baking) adds extra sparkle, and a light dusting of powdered sugar after baking gives your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies a snow-dusted look that’s almost too pretty to eat. If you really want to impress, press a few extra M&Ms right into the tops before baking!
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with mugs of hot cocoa, steamy chai lattes, or a cold glass of milk. For a truly festive spread, serve alongside a platter of peppermint bark, sugar cookies, or spiced nuts. It’s all about creating that cozy, comforting holiday snacking experience for family and friends.
Creative Ways to Present
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies make the ultimate edible gift! Tuck a stack into a clear gift bag, tie with a ribbon, and pop into a cookie tin lined with parchment for a cheerful homemade present. Or, build a cookie tower centerpiece for your dessert table—just stack, sprinkle, and let everyone dig in!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to a week—though if your house is anything like mine, they might disappear much faster!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Place baked and cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment. They’ll keep for up to three months—just thaw at room temperature. You can also freeze portioned raw dough; bake straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to baking time.
Reheating
For that warm-from-the-oven experience, simply pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10–12 seconds. The chocolate will melt, the aromas will bloom, and you’ll be transported right back to the day you baked them—holiday joy in every bite!
FAQs
Can I substitute the M&Ms for other candies?
Absolutely! Swap in chopped holiday candy bars, white chocolate chips, or even crushed peppermint candies for different flavors and festive flair. The recipe is wonderfully flexible, so feel free to make these Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies your own!
Do I really need to chill the dough?
Chilling isn’t essential, but it does make your cookies chewier and ensures the flavors meld. If you have extra time, chill the dough for 30 minutes—it’s worth it for a bakery-style bite.
Why did my cookies turn out flat?
Flat cookies can happen if your butter was too warm or if the dough was overmixed. Next time, try chilling the dough, making sure your baking soda is fresh, and measuring your flour carefully for thicker, fluffier results.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The resulting Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies will be just as festive, flavorful, and family-friendly.
What’s the best way to package these for gifting?
Line a festive cookie tin or sturdy box with parchment or tissue paper, arrange the cookies in tidy layers, and add a holiday ribbon on top. For extra charm, pop in a handwritten tag with warming instructions or a favorite holiday quote!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an experienced baker or making your first batch, these Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. They’re everything you want in a holiday treat—chewy, colorful, chocolatey, and absolutely irresistible. I hope you’ll bake a batch this season and share the sweet magic with those you love!
Print
Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive and delicious treat perfect for the holiday season. Packed with chocolate chips, colorful M&Ms, and sprinkles, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-Ins:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup red and green M&Ms
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in chocolate chips, M&Ms, and sprinkles.
- Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are soft.
- Cool and enjoy: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- These cookies make a perfect holiday gift when packaged in festive tins.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
