Mastering Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe
Master the art of festive baking with these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies. These chewy, buttery cookies are loaded with semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, with an optional peppermint candy addition for a delightful holiday twist. Perfect for gifting or a cozy holiday treat, they bring warmth and joy to your winter celebrations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Optional Topping
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating the perfect base texture for your cookies.
- Add Vanilla and Eggs: Incorporate the vanilla extract followed by the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth and uniform dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning throughout the dough.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate and Peppermint: Gently fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and if desired, crushed peppermint candies for a festive crunch and extra flavor.
- Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should look slightly underbaked for a chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to firm up slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Peppermint Sprinkle: For an extra festive touch, sprinkle additional crushed peppermint candies on top of the cookies before baking.
- Store Properly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for extended freshness.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to maintain tender cookies.
- Using room temperature butter helps in achieving a creamy and airy texture when creaming with sugars.
- Crushed peppermint candies are optional but add a festive flavor and crunch.
- Keep spacing between cookie dough balls to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake and allow to cool on the sheet before moving.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
Keywords: Christmas cookies, chocolate chip cookies, holiday baking, peppermint cookies, festive treats, chewy cookies, white chocolate chips, baking recipes
