Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies take the beloved classic and dress them up for the holidays with a touch of seasonal magic. Soft, chewy, and filled with gooey chocolate chips, these cookies are decorated with wintry sprinkles, white chocolate drizzle, or sparkling sugar for a festive finish. Perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday parties, or cozy winter nights, they bring the warmth of homemade cookies with a playful, seasonal flair. Simple enough to whip up on a weeknight yet pretty enough to serve at a gathering, these cookies are a joyful way to celebrate the season.
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Easy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies – A Festive Twist on a Classic
- Total Time: 27 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive chocolate chip cookies with a winter wonderland twist, featuring white chocolate chips, holiday sprinkles, and a soft chewy texture perfect for the season.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles (blue, white, silver)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Chill dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Top cookies with extra chips and sprinkles before baking for a bakery-style look.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour – The base that provides structure to the cookies.
Baking soda – Helps the cookies rise and stay soft.
Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Unsalted butter – Softened, for a rich, tender cookie base.
Brown sugar – Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor.
Granulated sugar – Sweetens and helps with crisp edges.
Eggs – Bind the ingredients and provide structure.
Vanilla extract – Infuses warmth and depth of flavor.
Chocolate chips – The classic gooey bursts of chocolate.
White chocolate chips or melting wafers – Optional, for a sweet wintery drizzle.
Holiday sprinkles or sparkling sugar – For a festive, snowy finish.
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
Scoop tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until edges are golden but centers are still soft.
Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with festive decorations.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 cookies. Preparation takes 15 minutes, baking requires 10 minutes per batch, and total time is about 30 minutes.
Storage/reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat briefly in the microwave for a warm, gooey bite.
Variations and Customizations
Peppermint twist – Add crushed candy canes to the dough or sprinkle on top.
Snowy look – Dust cookies with powdered sugar for a frosty effect.
Nutty version – Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
Double chocolate – Use cocoa powder in the dough and add white chocolate chips.
Gluten-free – Substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Spiced version – Add cinnamon or nutmeg for winter warmth.
Stuffed cookies – Place a marshmallow in the center of each dough ball before baking.
Holiday color mix – Use red, green, and white sprinkles or M&M’s.
Frosted cookies – Top with cream cheese frosting for extra indulgence.
Mini cookies – Make bite-sized versions for parties or gift boxes.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, just reduce added salt by half.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Not required, but chilling for 30 minutes helps prevent spreading.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the dough up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate until baking.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, scoop into balls and freeze; bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes.
What chocolate chips work best?
Semi-sweet are classic, but milk or dark chocolate chips also work.
Can I make these chewy instead of crispy?
Yes, slightly underbake them for a softer, chewier texture.
Do I need to drizzle with white chocolate?
No, but it adds a wintery look and sweet flavor.
Can I use colored sugar instead of sprinkles?
Yes, sparkling sugar makes them look snowy and festive.
Are these good for cookie exchanges?
Absolutely—they’re pretty, portable, and universally loved.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, just double all ingredients and bake in batches.
Conclusion
Easy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive, fun, and delicious way to celebrate the season. With their chewy centers, gooey chocolate, and sparkling winter decorations, they’re as beautiful as they are tasty. Perfect for holiday trays, parties, or cozy evenings, these cookies deliver classic comfort with a magical seasonal twist.
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