Soft Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These soft chocolate chip Christmas cookies are the perfect holiday treat—chewy, tender, and packed with melty chocolate chips. They are easy to make and sure to be a favorite at any festive gathering.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning throughout the dough.
3. Step 3: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and pale in color. This aeration is key for a tender cookie texture.
4. Step 4: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract to add moisture, flavor, and help bind the dough.
5. Step 5: Gradually mix in the dry flour mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain softness.
6. Step 6: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips so each cookie has pockets of melty chocolate.
7. Step 7: Scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
8. Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to set with a perfect soft texture.

Tips & Variations

• For extra festive flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
• Substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate or dark chocolate for a different twist.
• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent spreading and maintain softness.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave briefly until soft and melty.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use melted butter instead of softened butter?

It’s best to use softened butter to achieve the right texture. Melted butter can make the cookies spread too much and become thin and crispy rather than soft and tender.

Why are my cookies not soft after baking?

Be careful not to overbake; remove the cookies when edges are lightly golden but centers still look slightly underbaked. Also, avoid overmixing the dough to keep it tender.

Soft Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 144 reviews

• Author: Lila
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Soft Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture packed with melty semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfectly balanced with a hint of vanilla and light golden edges, these cookies are ideal for festive gatherings or cozy winter snacking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. 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 dough.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This helps incorporate air for a tender cookie texture.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract to add moisture, flavor, and help bind the ingredients.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain the softness of the cookies.
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution without deflating the dough.
7. Scoop and Bake: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers remain soft.
8. Cool and Enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps preserve the soft, chewy texture.

Notes

• Room temperature eggs ensure better incorporation into the dough.
• Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies soft.
• Spacing cookies properly prevents them from merging during baking.
• Use fresh baking soda for optimal leavening.
• For extra festive flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: soft chocolate chip cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, easy cookie recipe, chewy chocolate chip cookies