If there’s ever been a cookie designed to capture the very spirit of holiday cheer, it’s the Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies. Each bite is the perfect mix of creamy chocolate, bright peppermint crunch, and colorful sprinkles—like decking out a classic chocolate chip cookie in its Christmas best. These cookies are everything I crave this time of year: soft centers, golden edges, and pops of festive color. Whether you’re baking with kids, making treats for a cookie swap, or simply craving a taste of the holidays, these cookies are warmth, joy, and nostalgia all wrapped up in one delicious treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies is their simplicity: pantry staples with a few playful, holiday-inspired additions. Each ingredient is purposeful, creating a cookie that’s as stunning to look at as it is to eat.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for a tender, chewy cookie that holds up to all the mix-ins.
- Baking Soda: Give your cookies just the right amount of lift for a soft, pillowy texture.
- Salt: A pinch brings out all the sweet flavors and balances the richness.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): This is where the magic starts—room temperature butter creates a dreamy base for creaming with sugars.
- Granulated Sugar: Brings the perfect snap to the outer edges of each cookie.
- Brown Sugar (packed): For an irresistibly soft center and a subtle hint of caramel flavor.
- Large Eggs: Help bind the dough, adding moisture and structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out all the flavors with its cozy, delicate aroma.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The classic choice; every bite should have a melty, chocolate moment.
- White Chocolate Chips: Their creamy sweetness adds a snowy look and festive contrast.
- Holiday Sprinkles (red, green, white): For instant holiday spirit and a merry crunch.
- Crushed Peppermint Candies or Candy Canes: The sparkle of cool peppermint brightens up each cookie.
How to Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, then line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This not only ensures even baking and golden bottoms but also makes cleanup a total breeze. Laying the groundwork for your Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies means they’ll pop right off the tray and keep those edges beautifully tender.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Don’t skip this step—it helps distribute the leavening, so every cookie puffs up just right. This is your foundation for a perfect batch, making sure each Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookie is deliciously consistent.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened butter with both the granulated sugar and brown sugar. You want this mixture to look light and fluffy, which means lots of air is incorporated for a tender crumb. A good 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer should do the trick. This step creates that classic cookie texture and sets the base for all the magic to come.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Now, add your eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This helps everything come together smoothly and makes sure there are no streaks of egg. Stir in the vanilla extract for that inviting aroma—your kitchen will start to smell downright dreamy at this point!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Overmixing can make your cookies dry, so fold with a gentle hand. The dough will look thick, soft, and ready for fun add-ins.
Step 6: Fold in Mix-Ins
This is when the holiday magic happens! Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, festive sprinkles, and crushed peppermint. Every swirl of color and sparkle of peppermint makes these cookies extra enchanting. Stir just enough to evenly distribute all those goodies—each scoop should be a celebration.
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, place mounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. This allows the cookies to spread just the right amount. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes—just until the edges turn golden but the centers remain soft. They’ll finish cooking as they cool, ensuring gooey centers in each Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookie.
Step 8: Cool and Decorate
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. If you want a truly picture-perfect batch, press a few extra chocolate chips or sprinkles into the tops while they’re still warm. This little touch makes each one look festive enough for Santa himself!
How to Serve Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies
Garnishes
For that extra special finish, try sprinkling a little powdered sugar over your cookies right before serving—it looks like a fresh dusting of snow! You can also drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate over the tops, adding another layer of decadence. And of course, a few extra sprinkles or crushed peppermint right before they cool will guarantee these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies steal the show on any holiday platter.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with mugs of hot cocoa, eggnog, or freshly brewed coffee for the ultimate winter treat. If you’re planning a festive dessert table, serve alongside spiced nuts, caramel corn, or fruit for a wonderful mix of flavors and textures. There’s something about dunking these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies in milk that feels like pure childhood magic!
Creative Ways to Present
Package a half dozen cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon for a homemade gift that truly delights. You can also stack them in tall glass jars for a wow-worthy centerpiece, or arrange them on a tiered stand surrounded by peppermint sticks and sprigs of holly. No matter how you present them, these cookies are guaranteed to bring big holiday smiles.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies fresh, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfectly soft and delicious for up to five days—if they last that long! Make sure the container seals well to keep the peppermint and chocolate flavors at their peak.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for an hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay delightful for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature, and they’re ready for snacking or entertaining on a moment’s notice.
Reheating
Want that fresh-from-the-oven experience again? Pop a frozen or room-temperature cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or quickly warm a batch in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. The chocolate goes gooey, the center softens, and your Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies will taste like they were just baked.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 48 hours in advance and store it covered in the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften before scooping, and you’ll have fresh-baked cookies in a flash. This also gives the flavors even more time to develop.
What if I don’t have peppermint candies?
If peppermint isn’t your thing or you simply don’t have any on hand, these cookies are still delicious! You can swap in toffee bits, chopped nuts, or just add a little extra chocolate for a different twist on the Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend in place of regular flour. Check that your sprinkles and peppermint candies are gluten-free as well, and you’ll have a perfect batch for gluten-free friends and family.
How do I avoid overbaking?
Keep a close eye as the bake time finishes: take them out as soon as the edges are just set and slightly golden, even if the centers look a bit soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, giving you that irresistibly chewy inside every Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookie should have.
Can I use different kinds of chocolate chips?
Of course! Mix things up by using milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even butterscotch chips. The classic semi-sweet and white chocolate blend makes these cookies taste festive and balanced, but feel free to get creative with whatever you have on hand!
Final Thoughts
Nothing says holiday magic quite like a batch of homemade Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies. If you’re looking to bake up some real joy this season, these cookies are such a treat to share with friends and family—or just to enjoy with a quiet cup of cocoa by the tree. Cozy, colorful, and impossible to resist, they might just become your new holiday tradition!
Print
Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the festive spirit with these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies. Packed with semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, holiday sprinkles, and a hint of crushed peppermint, these cookies are the perfect treat for the holiday season.
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 white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (red, green, white)
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two 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 mixing bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Combine and Fold In: Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until combined. Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, sprinkles, and crushed peppermint.
- Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers are still soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For extra festive flair, press a few chocolate chips or sprinkles on top of the cookies right after baking.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
