Name: Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1⅔ cups all purpose white flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 stick salted butter (1/2 cup), melted; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 1/4 cup white sugar; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips; 1/4 cup Christmas red/green/white mix sprinkles (flat confetti type recommended)

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 25 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a festive twist to your holiday baking, I’ve got just the thing — a Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe that’s absolutely fan-freaking-tastic. These aren’t your everyday chocolate chip cookies; they have a cozy cinnamon note, melty mini chocolate chips, and that pop of holiday cheer from colorful sprinkles that make them perfect for any Christmas gathering or sweet gift. Stick with me, and I’ll share every little detail so you end up with the absolute best batch!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture Balance: Soft and chewy centers with just enough crispy edges to make every bite delightful.
Holiday Flavors That Shine: The subtle cinnamon blends perfectly with vanilla and chocolate, giving a cozy Christmas vibe without overpowering.
Colorful Festive Sprinkles: Adds that extra charm and a little crunch, making the cookies look and feel merry and bright.
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Using mostly pantry staples with a few holiday twists means you can whip these up last minute with ease.

Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies, holiday cookie recipes, festive chocolate chip cookies, Christmas baking ideas, cinnamon chocolate cookies - The image shows seven round cookies cooling on a black wire rack. Each cookie has a thick, soft texture with little ridges and bumps on the surface. The cookies are a light brown color with many colorful red, green, and blue sprinkles mixed inside, along with small white and dark brown chocolate chips spread evenly throughout. The wire rack sits on a wooden surface, creating a warm and cozy feeling. The cookies look freshly baked with slightly golden edges and a slightly shiny top. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating that classic yet festive flavor you’ll want to keep coming back to. I like to explain why each piece matters because it helps me choose quality ingredients. Plus, these tips can totally upgrade your baking game.

Salted butter: Its creamy richness and saltiness give the cookies depth; melting it before mixing helps bring all ingredients together smoothly.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and chewiness thanks to its molasses content — the heart of good chocolate chip cookies.
White sugar: Contributes to a bit of crispness and sweetness contrast.
Large egg: Binds everything and adds structure; room temperature eggs mix in best.
Vanilla extract: Always a must for chocolate chip cookies — it enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavor.
All-purpose white flour: The foundation that gives the cookies their shape without weighing them down.
Ground cinnamon: Just a teaspoon adds a warm holiday spice that makes these cookies feel extra special; if you’re unsure, start with less!
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread just right.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt into ooey gooey pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie.
White chocolate chips: Their sweetness contrasts beautifully with the semi-sweet chips and cinnamon.
Christmas red/green/white mix sprinkles: They bring festive color and a fun texture; flat confetti sprinkles usually taste better and avoid that overly hard crunch.

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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.

Make It Your Way

I love how versatile this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is. It invites you to make it your own — whether you want to tweak the spice level or swap a chocolate type. I’ve played around with some variations and found a few that felt just right for different moods or guests.

Cinnamon variation: I usually start with a half teaspoon of cinnamon just to test the waters; sometimes I like to bump it to a full teaspoon when I want a stronger holiday spice kick.
Chip swaps: Swapping out the mini chips for chunks or adding peppermint chips is a great seasonal twist that instantly feels Christmassy.
Sprinkle choices: If you don’t have festive sprinkles, a small handful of crushed candy canes can add crunch and minty flavor.
Gluten-free option: I’ve had success substituting a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and baking just a minute longer, perfect for sharing with friends who avoid gluten.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Like a Pro

Get your oven warmed up to 350°F and line your cookie sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and gives that perfect golden bottom. I usually set two sheets out if I’m making a bigger batch – having it ready makes the mixing part way more relaxing.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients Thoroughly

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. I’ve found that stirring these first avoids any uneven patches of baking soda in your cookies, which can sometimes give a strange aftertaste or cause uneven rise. Use a fork or whisk for quick, even mixing.

Step 3: Cream Together Your Sugars and Butter

In a larger bowl, take your melted butter and add both brown and white sugars. Mix them until they combine into a smooth, shiny slurry. Here’s a little secret: melting the butter instead of softening gives these cookies a denser, chewier center that I adore. Add your egg next and whisk well to fully incorporate — no eggy clumps, please.

Step 4: Bring It All Together with Vanilla and Flour

Stir in the vanilla extract, then gradually add in the dry mixture. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to fold gently but thoroughly — you want a uniform dough but avoid overmixing, which can make cookies tough. Once combined, it’s time for the magic.

Step 5: Stir in the Festive Bits

This is my favorite part: folding in the mini semi-sweet and white chocolate chips alongside the red, green, and white sprinkles. These bursts of color and melty chocolate make the cookies truly pop. Using mini chips is key for even distribution and that melty bite I look forward to.

Step 6: Scoop, Bake, and Chill

Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scooper (or just eyeball generous mounds) and space 16 blobs evenly on your cookie sheet. Bake for 11 minutes exactly — they’ll look underdone but trust me, that’s when they’re perfect and will continue baking on the hot sheet. Let them rest for at least 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool fully. If you prefer slightly more set cookies, add another minute to the bake time.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Butter Melting Magic: Melting the butter instead of creaming preserves chewiness — a game changer for cookies that feel like a hug.
Don’t Skip the Rest: Leaving cookies on the baking sheet after baking ensures they finish cooking gently and stay super soft inside.
Practice Your Scoop: Using a 2-tablespoon scooper makes cookies bake evenly and look uniform, perfect for gifting or impressing your guests.
Watch Your Oven: Ovens vary—check a couple minutes early or late to avoid overbaking or undercooking, especially with cinnamon which can burn easily.

How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love dusting these cookies lightly with powdered sugar just before serving for an extra snowy, festive look. Sometimes I’ll add a small dollop of peppermint fudge frosting on top for a fancy holiday party. If you want to get playful, drizzling melted white chocolate or sprinkling a few extra festive colored sprinkles right before serving adds a charming sparkle.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a mug of hot cocoa spiked with a dash of cinnamon or peppermint. At a holiday brunch, I like setting them alongside fresh fruit and a cream cheese spread for a sweet and mellow combo. They’re a perfect crowd-pleaser that complements any festive buffet.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re gifting cookies, wrapping stacks in parchment paper tied with red and green twine never fails to impress. For parties, arranging them in a “Christmas tree” shape on a large platter with little marshmallows as snow is a big hit with kids and adults alike. I also like placing a single cookie in a clear ornament as a cute edible decoration.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually stay soft and fresh for up to 4 days. Adding a slice of bread in the container helps maintain moisture — a trick I’ve leaned on during busy holiday weeks when baking every day isn’t an option.

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies by placing them between layers of parchment paper in a sealed container or freezer bag. I often freeze half a batch right after baking — thawed cookies from the freezer taste almost as good as fresh and it saves so much last-minute baking stress.

Reheating

To bring frozen cookies back to life, I gently warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 15 seconds. This revives that soft, melty texture, especially the chocolate chips — my favorite part!

FAQs

Can I use salted or unsalted butter for this Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?

Either works, but this recipe calls for salted butter because the seasoning complements the sweetness and spices perfectly. If you only have unsalted butter, add an extra ¼ teaspoon of salt to balance the flavors.
What if I don’t have mini chocolate chips?

You can chop regular-sized chocolate chips or chocolate bars into smaller pieces. Mini chips melt more evenly and give better chocolate distribution, but regular chips chopped smaller work just fine in a pinch.
How do I avoid cookies spreading too much?

Make sure your butter isn’t too hot when mixing and keep the dough chilled for 15-30 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm. Also, measuring flour carefully prevents overly wet dough which causes spreading.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Cover and refrigerate the dough for up to 48 hours before baking. This actually enhances flavor and texture. Just bring the dough back to room temp for 10 minutes before scooping.
Is there a dairy-free version of these Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies?

You can substitute dairy-free butter alternatives and use dairy-free chocolate chips, but keep in mind texture might vary slightly. I recommend using a good quality vegan buttery spread that melts similarly to butter.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s one of those easy, reliable recipes that instantly adds warmth and joy to my holiday kitchen. I hope you give it a try, enjoy the comforting aromas, and savor those chewy, cinnamon-kissed bites with your favorite people. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to Christmas cookie — and maybe even spur you to start your own holiday baking traditions.