Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Alright, gather ‘round because I’m about to share with you the ultimate Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe that’s basically the embodiment of holiday cheer in cookie form. Seriously, these cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with festive flavors that’ll have you and everyone else asking for seconds (and thirds!). Whether you’re baking for your family, party guests, or just yourself with a cozy blanket and a cup of cocoa, this recipe hits the sweet spot every single time.
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Sweetness: The combo of light brown sugar and white sugar gives just the right caramelized depth without being overpowering.
- Perfect Texture: Melted butter ensures a soft, chewy cookie that still holds its shape beautifully.
- Festive Touches: Cinnamon and those vibrant Christmas sprinkles add just enough holiday magic to make these cookies unforgettable.
- Double Chocolate Delight: Mixing mini semi-sweet and white chocolate chips keeps every bite interesting and indulgent.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays a starring role, working together to bring you warm, chewy, and utterly festive cookies. The key? Using melted butter for that lovely texture, plus just a dash of cinnamon to add warmth without stealing the show.

- Salted Butter: Melting the butter activates its richness and keeps the cookies soft and tender.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses depth that complements the chocolate perfectly.
- White Sugar: Balances the brown sugar’s moisture and creates just the right level of sweetness and crisp edges.
- Egg: Provides structure and moisture to keep cookies from crumbling.
- Vanilla Extract: Boosts flavor and ties all the ingredients together with its sweet aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for your cookie, making sure they bake just right — not too cakey, not too dense.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds subtle holiday warmth. If you’re not a cinnamon lover, start with half the amount first.
- Baking Soda: Gives the cookies lift and just enough rise.
- Salt: Balances sweetness enhances flavor nuances.
- Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The star chocolate hit in the cookie, melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- White Chocolate Chips: Add creamy sweetness and a fun color contrast.
- Christmas Sprinkles Mix: I prefer flat confetti sprinkles because they add candy-like sweetness without the crunch of harder sprinkles.
Tweak to Your Taste
This Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is already a star, but I love throwing in some personal twists depending on my mood or who I’m baking for. Don’t be shy—make it your own!
- Add Some Nuts: I sometimes toss in chopped pecans or walnuts for a lovely crunch that balances the soft cookie.
- Spice it Up: If you’re a fan, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger alongside the cinnamon for extra holiday warmth.
- Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend—just ensure it has xanthan gum or another binder for that perfect texture.
- Less Sweet Option: Use only semi-sweet chocolate chips without white chocolate to cut down on sweetness if you prefer.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper—it’s a small step that makes cleanup a breeze. In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt with a fork. This ensures the leavening agents and spices are evenly dispersed, so your cookies bake up beautifully.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, pour in your melted butter, then add both sugars. I melted my butter in the microwave for about 25 seconds—which is quick and efficient. Beat these together until they’re well combined and smooth. Add in the egg and mix thoroughly, then stir in the vanilla extract. This mixture is the foundation for those soft, fudgy cookies everyone loves.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet bowl, stirring gently until just combined—overmixing at this point can make cookies tough, so be gentle. Then, fold in the mini semi-sweet and white chocolate chips along with those adorable Christmas sprinkles. The colors already put me in a joyful mood!
Step 4: Shape and Bake
Grab a 2-tablespoon cookie scooper or spoon and portion out dough mounds onto your lined cookie sheet, spacing them evenly—you should get about 16 cookies. Pop them into the oven and bake for 11 minutes. They’ll seem soft and underbaked when you take them out, but trust me, that’s perfect! Let them rest on the cookie sheet for at least 10 minutes to finish baking gently and set up before moving them to a wire rack to cool fully.
Step 5: Adjust to Your Softness Preference
If you prefer your Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe a little less gooey, simply bake them for an extra minute—12 minutes total—and still allow that crucial 10-minute rest time on the cookie sheet. Oh, and a quick tip: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on those cookies towards the end!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Butter Temperature: Melting your butter is key here—don’t let it cool completely or else the sugars won’t blend as smoothly, but don’t use it piping hot either.
- Cinnamon Caution: Start with a half or quarter teaspoon if you’re unsure about cinnamon, then adjust next time based on your preference.
- Let Cookies Rest: Don’t rush taking your cookies off the sheet right after baking; that extra rest time locks in softness and prevents breaking.
- Sprinkles Choice: Opt for flat confetti sprinkles over hard ones—they melt easier and taste better in the bite.
How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes
I usually keep it simple by topping a few freshly baked cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of melted white chocolate for an extra festive look. If I’m feeling whimsical, sometimes I add a tiny sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy on top right when the cookies come out of the oven. It melts slightly—delish!
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of homemade eggnog if you really want to get into that holiday spirit. For an adult gathering, hot mulled wine or spiced coffee also makes a stellar match.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged the cookies on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary and cranberries scattered around. It made for a gorgeous, edible centerpiece. Ribbon-tied stacks of cookies wrapped in parchment paper also make sweet gifts that people rave about—plus, who doesn’t love a homemade Christmas treat?
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They usually stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days—if they last that long!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! I usually flash freeze scooped dough balls on a baking sheet for a few hours, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I bake them straight from frozen—adding a couple extra minutes to the bake time. This way, I can have fresh-baked cookies anytime I want, even during the busiest holiday weeks.
Reheating
To warm up leftovers, I pop cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or for that slightly crispy edge and soft middle, bake them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Both methods revive that freshly baked softness and melty chocolate feeling.
FAQs
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Can I use salted butter or unsalted butter for this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?
While I recommend using salted butter as per the recipe for its flavor balance, you can absolutely use unsalted butter—just add an extra pinch of salt (around 1/4 teaspoon) to keep the seasoning right on track.
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Can I substitute the Christmas sprinkles with something else?
Definitely! If you don’t have festive sprinkles, feel free to swap them with chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or even crushed peppermint candies for a different holiday twist.
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How do I make these cookies more chewy rather than crisp?
Using melted butter as in this recipe helps keep cookies chewy. Also, avoid overbaking—pull them from the oven at 11 minutes and allow the rest on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes. This gentle finish locks in moisture and chewiness.
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Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Just bring it back to room temperature for about 20 minutes to make scooping easier—this can actually help develop flavor, too.
Final Thoughts
I’ve baked countless cookies over the holidays, but this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe remains a personal favorite because it’s foolproof, festive, and downright delicious every time. There’s something so comforting about the blend of cinnamon, melted butter, and colorful sprinkles that just feels like Christmas in your kitchen. So, friend, whether you’re a cookie pro or baking for the first time, grab your ingredients and make these—your tastebuds and your holiday guests will thank you!
Print
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies, loaded with mini semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, festive red, green, and white sprinkles, and a hint of warm cinnamon. Perfectly soft and chewy with a buttery base, these cookies are a holiday favorite that’s easy to make and sure to bring a smile to your celebrations.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 stick salted butter (1/2 cup), melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1⅔ cups all purpose white flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Mix-ins and Topping
- 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup Christmas red, green, and white mix sprinkles (preferably flat confetti style)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy baking and cleanup.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Stir well with a fork to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter, light brown sugar, and white sugar. Mix together until they are well combined and creamy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Add the large egg to the butter-sugar mixture and mix well. Follow with the vanilla extract and combine thoroughly.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the dough.
- Fold in mix-ins: Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and Christmas sprinkles until evenly distributed.
- Portion the dough: Use a 2 tablespoon cookie scooper or simply make 2 tablespoon mounds of dough and place them evenly spaced on the prepared cookie sheet. This recipe will yield 16 cookies.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11 minutes. The cookies will appear soft and slightly underbaked at this point.
- Cool cookies: Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest on the sheet for at least 10 minutes to finish baking and set. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional baking adjustment: For cookies that are less ooey gooey, extend the baking time to 12 minutes and then allow them to sit on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before cooling on a rack. Adjust baking times if your oven runs hotter or colder.
Notes
- Use flat confetti sprinkles for a better texture rather than hard sprinkles.
- Melt the butter in the microwave for about 25 seconds or until completely melted to ensure it incorporates smoothly.
- If you’re unsure about cinnamon, start with 1/4 tsp and increase next time based on preference.
- Leaving the cookies on the baking sheet after removing from oven helps them finish baking gently without overbrowning.
- Adjust baking time slightly based on your oven’s actual temperature to prevent under or overbaking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg


