Name: Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 26 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips; 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Jump to Recipe·5 from 15 reviews

There’s just something magical about kicking off the holiday season with a batch of freshly baked cookies, right? If you’re on the hunt for the perfect festive treat, my Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is your new go-to. It’s packed with not only classic semi-sweet chocolate chips but also white chocolate and festive crushed peppermint candies for that snowy, winter feel. Trust me, these cookies smell like Christmas and taste like the season wrapped up in a bite.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture Balance: The combination of sugars and butter creates cookies that are crisp around the edges yet chewy in the center.
Flavor Harmony: White chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, and peppermint candies blend beautifully to evoke festive flavors without being overpowering.
Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and easy-to-find peppermint candies, so you can bake them anytime during winter.
Approachable Technique: Easy instructions that even beginner bakers can follow — I’ve included plenty of tips to make sure you nail it!

Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies, festive holiday cookies, peppermint chocolate chip cookies, Christmas cookie recipes, winter baking treats - A tall stack of five round cookies with a light golden brown dough base, each cookie filled with a mix of white chocolate chunks, small dark chocolate chips, and tiny red and green candy pieces spread evenly on top and inside. The top cookie has a bite taken from its upper edge, showing the soft, dense texture inside dotted with chocolate and candy bits. The cookies have a slightly rough but soft surface with some cracks. The stack sits on a black metal cooling rack with a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays a key part in creating that irresistible winter vibe and mouthwatering flavor. Grab quality chocolate chips and fresh peppermint candies for the best results — those little details really make the difference!

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter helps achieve that perfect chewy texture and rich flavor; unsalted lets you control saltiness precisely.
Granulated Sugar: Adds structure and sweetness while contributing to a slight crispiness around the edges.
Brown Sugar: Packed with molasses, it adds moisture and that lovely deep caramel flavor in each bite.
Eggs: They bind everything together and add richness to the dough.
Vanilla Extract: A little vanilla goes a long way in rounding out all the flavors.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure necessary to hold all those mix-ins perfectly.
Baking Soda: Gives a slight lift and helps you get those golden edges you’ll adore.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the chocolate’s flavor.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic chocolate goodness that never goes out of style.
White Chocolate Chips: Adds a creamy sweetness and beautiful color contrast.
Crushed Peppermint Candies: The star of the show—giving that festive crunch and a refreshing peppermint kick.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love to tweak this recipe depending on the mood or occasion. It’s super flexible — and the best part? You’re totally free to make it your own without losing that winter wonderland charm.

Nutty Twist: Sometimes, I add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for an extra crunch; just a handful won’t overpower the peppermint’s brightness.
Spice it Up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or ginger powder brings another layer of warmth that feels cozy during chilly nights.
Salted Version: Sprinkling a tiny bit of flaky sea salt on top before baking enhances the chocolate’s richness splendidly.
Vegan Variation: Substitute butter for coconut oil and eggs for flax eggs—results will vary slightly, but still delicious!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep & Set the Stage

First things first: preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Getting this ready ahead of time means you won’t feel rushed when the dough’s ready, and the parchment prevents sticking—so your cookies come off clean every time.

Step 2: Cream Together the Sugars and Butter

Pop your softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar into a large bowl and beat them until light and fluffy. I usually go at it with a hand mixer for about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial—creaming in air here makes cookies soft on the inside and gives beautiful texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs & Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure they mix fully and your dough doesn’t get lumpy. Stir in the vanilla extract—this little addition adds depth to all the sweetness and chocolatey goodness lined up to come.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening is evenly distributed, avoiding any bitter baking soda spots in your cookies. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet ones—do this slowly and don’t overmix, just until combined.

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips & Peppermint

Now for the fun part—fold in those semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies. I like folding gently by hand here, preserving chunks for that delightful melting and crunch combo you’ll love.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto your lined baking sheets with about 2 inches between each cookie to give them room to spread. Pop them in the oven for about 9-11 minutes—watch for golden edges, but keep the centers soft; that’s when they’re divine.

Step 7: Cool & Enjoy

Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a wire rack. This lets them firm up just enough without losing that melt-in-your-mouth feel. I admit, sometimes I sneak a bite right out of the oven—it’s hard to resist!

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Pro Tips for Making Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Butter Temperature Matters: Make sure butter is soft but not melted—too soft and the dough gets greasy, too hard and it won’t cream properly.
Don’t Overmix The Dough: Mixing just until combined keeps the cookies tender and avoids developing tough gluten.
Peppermint Candy Size: Crush candies into small chunks — too fine and they’ll just melt away, too big and they won’t stick inside the cookie.
Check Early: Ovens vary, so start checking the cookies a minute or two before the 9-minute mark to avoid overbaking.

How to Serve Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to let a few extra crushed peppermint candies fall on top of the cookies right after baking for a sparkly, festive look. If you want to take it further, a light dusting of powdered sugar or edible glitter gives them a frosty, snowy charm that’s hard to beat!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk (obviously!), peppermint hot chocolate, or even a cup of strong coffee. For holiday gatherings, I often arrange them on a platter alongside gingerbread or cinnamon-spiced treats for a cozy cookie spread everyone loves.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or gifting, wrap stacks of warm cookies with festive ribbon and tuck a peppermint stick on top. Placing cookies in clear jars layered with sugar and crushed peppermint candies also makes for a beautiful homemade gift or centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them extra fresh, I add a slice of bread to the container — it helps maintain that soft, chewy texture by absorbing excess moisture.

Freezing

If I want to bake in advance, I scoop the cookie dough balls onto a tray and freeze them until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. This way, you can bake fresh cookies straight from the freezer anytime — just add a couple extra minutes to your baking time.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This revives that just-baked softness and lets the chocolate melt almost like fresh baked.

FAQs

Can I substitute the peppermint candies with something else?

Absolutely! If peppermint isn’t your thing, try using crushed butterscotch candies, chopped nuts, or even dried cranberries for a different festive twist. Just keep an eye on how these swaps affect the sweetness and texture.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter isn’t melted before starting and chill the cookie dough for 15-30 minutes if you notice a lot of spreading. Also, spacing the dough balls properly on the baking sheet helps cookies bake evenly without merging.
Can I use other types of chocolate chips?

Yes! This recipe is very flexible — dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even peanut butter chips would work beautifully. Just pick favorites you know your family loves to personalize the cookies.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing after baking?

Definitely. I freeze the baked cookies in airtight containers, separated by parchment layers to avoid sticking. When you want to eat them, thaw at room temperature or warm slightly for that fresh-baked feel.

Final Thoughts

This Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe feels like a warm hug on a snowy day. I keep coming back to it every season because it’s just so reliable, festive, and fun to make — especially when shared with friends or family. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a staple in my holiday baking. So preheat that oven and let’s make your kitchen smell like winter magic!