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If you’re on the hunt for a delightful treat to brighten your holiday season, these Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies for a Merry Christmas Recipe are exactly what you need. Imagine buttery, tender cookies generously studded with gooey semi-sweet chocolate chips and sprinkled with bursts of cheerful red and green—that’s holiday magic in every bite. These cookies strike the perfect balance between classic comfort and festive celebration, making them an irresistible addition to any Christmas gathering or cozy night in by the fire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies for a Merry Christmas Recipe is a breeze because each item plays a key role in creating the perfect cookie. From the rich butter that ensures tenderness to the sprinkles that add that unmistakable holiday sparkle, everything works harmoniously to craft a cookie you’ll want to bake again and again.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives structure and softness to the cookies.
- Baking soda: A gentle leavening agent that helps your cookies rise just right.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Provides rich, creamy flavor and tender texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight crispness to the cookie edges.
- Light brown sugar: Brings moisture and a hint of caramel depth to every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, fragrant notes.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to cookie softness.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melty pockets of chocolate that make each bite heavenly.
- Red and green sprinkles or festive M&M’s: Add a joyful pop of color perfect for the season.
How to Make Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies for a Merry Christmas Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets
Start by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it reaches the perfect temperature for baking. Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper not only prevents sticking but also helps your cookies cook evenly and makes cleanup a snap.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that your leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed, so every cookie bakes with consistent texture and flavor.
Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients
Using a mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy—this is the secret behind tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Then, add the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next, followed by the vanilla extract for that rich, warm aroma.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense cookies, so aim for a soft, slightly shaggy dough that promises a perfect texture.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles
Now, the fun part! Gently stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the festive red and green sprinkles (or M&M’s). This mix turns your dough into a holiday celebration of color and chocolaty goodness in every morsel.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them enough to allow for spreading while baking. Pop them in the oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. It’s the perfect bake time for soft, chewy centers with a slightly crisp edge.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time allows the flavors to settle and the texture to perfect itself, making every bite simply delicious.
How to Serve Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies for a Merry Christmas Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies for a Merry Christmas Recipe, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect or a drizzle of melted white chocolate to add extra decadence and a festive look. These simple touches make your cookies sparkle just like holiday lights on the tree.
Side Dishes
Perfectly paired with a tall glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or a fragrant spiced tea, these cookies can easily become the star of your holiday snack table. Serving them alongside fresh fruit or a creamy vanilla ice cream adds delightful contrast and makes the treat feel even more special.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap the cookies in clear cellophane tied with a red or green ribbon for thoughtful homemade gifts, or arrange them on a festive holiday platter layered with evergreen sprigs and cinnamon sticks. Whether for a party or a family gathering, these presentation ideas make the cookies feel joyful and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any cookies left (though that might be a challenge!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them soft and flavorful for up to a week, perfect for indulging throughout the holiday season.
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough in spoonful portions, tightly wrapped, for up to three months. When you’re ready, bake them straight from frozen, just add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. This makes spontaneous cookie cravings easier to satisfy during the busy holiday season.
Reheating
To revive stored cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This warm-up brings back that freshly baked softness and melts the chocolate chips just right, like they’ve just come out of the oven again.
FAQs
Can I substitute the sprinkles with something else?
Absolutely! If sprinkles aren’t your thing or you want a different look, festive M&M’s work splendidly and add a bit of crunch. You can also try chopped nuts or dried cranberries for a different texture and flavor twist.
Is it okay to use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Using salted butter is fine in a pinch, but be sure to reduce the added salt slightly to avoid making your cookies too salty. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the final flavor of the cookies.
How can I make these cookies dairy-free?
To adapt this recipe for a dairy-free diet, swap the butter with a plant-based butter alternative and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free. The texture may vary slightly, but they’ll still be deliciously festive and satisfying.
Can I make the cookies bigger or smaller?
Feel free to adjust the size! Larger cookies might need a few extra minutes in the oven, while smaller ones will bake faster. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake and dry out.
What’s the best way to get soft, chewy cookies?
Using light brown sugar as part of your sweetener mix and not overbaking your cookies are key for that perfect chewiness. Letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring helps them set without getting too hard.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly heartwarming about baking and sharing these Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies for a Merry Christmas Recipe with the people you love. Whether you’re starting a new holiday tradition or adding to an old favorite, these cookies bring smiles, sweet memories, and a sprinkle of holiday cheer to every occasion. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to fill your kitchen with that irresistible aroma—your next favorite Christmas cookie awaits!
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Print
Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies for a Merry Christmas Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 22 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies, bursting with classic semi-sweet chocolate chips and colorful red and green sprinkles for a merry Christmas treat. Soft, chewy, and perfect for sharing, these cookies are a delightful addition to any festive gathering.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Mix-ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup red and green sprinkles (or festive M&M’s)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt throughout the flour.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: Using a mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender texture. Beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring everything is fully combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make cookies tough.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Carefully fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and festive red and green sprinkles (or M&M’s), distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately. Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but centers remain soft.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive cookies with family and friends!
Notes
- You can substitute festive M&M’s for the sprinkles for a different texture and flavor.
- Make sure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to keep cookies tender.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Optionally, chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to reduce spreading.
