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These festive Christmas chocolate chip cookies bring joyful vibes to any holiday get-together. Loaded with gooey chocolate chips and a fun sprinkle of red and green M&M's, each bite feels like a holiday party in your mouth.
I still think about baking these with my family one Christmas night. The kitchen smelled like chocolate and vanilla, and everyone kept smiling. They quickly became our favorite treat to share.
What You'll Need
- Baking soda: helps the cookies puff up just right for soft chewiness
- Vanilla extract: adds a sweet, warm flavor; pure extract works best
- Granulated sugar and brown sugar: mix for sweetness and moisture with caramel notes
- Salt: boosts the sweetness and blends flavors; fine sea salt mixes evenly
- Red and green M&M’s: bring festive colors and crunch; totally optional but fun
- Unsalted butter: gives creaminess; soften it to mix easily
- Large eggs: hold the dough together and keep it tender
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: melt into little chocolate pockets throughout
- All-purpose flour: forms the dough's base; unbleached flour offers great texture
How to Make Them
- Get Oven Ready:
- Heat your oven to 375°F and line pans with parchment paper so cookies come off easy and bake evenly.
- Dry Mix:
- In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together so everything spreads well through the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars:
- Beat softened butter with the white and brown sugars plus vanilla until it’s fluffy and smooth for soft cookies.
- Eggs and Dry Ingredients:
- Add eggs one by one to the butter mix, stirring well each time. Then slowly mix in the dry stuff until it’s just blended.
- Add Chocolate and M&Ms:
- Carefully fold in the chocolate chips and festive candies so every cookie gets a good amount.
- Shape and Bake:
- Drop rounded spoonfuls onto the sheets, leaving about two inches between. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges turn golden but centers are still soft.
- Cool Before Eating:
- Let the cookies rest on the pan a few minutes before moving them to a rack so they keep their awesome texture.
I usually throw in a little cinnamon for a warm hint that reminds me of cozy nights by the fire. Baking these always feels like wrapping myself in holiday cheer.
How to Store Them
Keep your cookies in a sealed container at room temp so they stay soft for up to five days
Add parchment layers so they don’t stick and stay pretty
Freeze any extras and thaw at room temperature when you want a treat
Flavor Switch-Ups
Try swapping the semi-sweet chips for white or dark chocolate for a fresh taste
Add nuts like walnuts or pecans for a nice crunch and extra richness
Use other holiday candies like crushed peppermint or mini candy canes to mix things up
Great Things to Serve With
Enjoy with cold milk or a cup of warm eggnog for a classic combo
Pair with coffee or hot chocolate for an afternoon pick-me-up
Put a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a fun holiday snack
Baking these brings out all the holiday magic in the best way. Every batch feels like a cozy hug and reminds me why simple good times around the kitchen matter most.
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → How do I keep cookies soft?
Taking cookies out a bit earlier keeps them soft by holding in moisture and stopping the edges from getting too hard.
- → Can I swap out ingredients?
Definitely, swap semi-sweet chips for dark, milk, or white chocolate and throw in nuts if you want more crunch and flavor.
- → What’s the best way to keep cookies fresh?
Keep your cookies fresh up to five days by storing them in a sealed container at room temperature.
- → Why use parchment paper for baking?
Parchment paper stops cookies from sticking and helps bake them evenly so the bottoms don’t burn or get too brown.
- → What does vanilla extract do in the dough?
Vanilla adds a gentle, sweet smell and flavor that lifts the chocolate and butter taste nicely.