Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies are festive, colorful, and loaded with a mix of classic and holiday-inspired chocolates. These soft, chewy cookies are perfect for sharing during the holiday season or any time you want a sweet, cheerful treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup red, green, and white candy-coated chocolates
- Flaky sea salt, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
- Step 2: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 4: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Step 5: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and candy-coated chocolates, reserving a few candies to press on top of each cookie.
- Step 6: Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Step 7: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 8: Scoop 2-tablespoon balls of dough and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Step 9: Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
- Step 10: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a softer cookie, slightly underbake and allow to cool on the baking sheet before transferring.
- Substitute candy-coated chocolates with your favorite holiday sprinkles or chopped nuts for a different festive touch.
- Chilling the dough longer (up to overnight) enhances the flavor and texture.
Storage
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds for a warm, soft treat.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid making the cookies too salty.
What if I don’t have candy-coated chocolates?
You can replace them with extra chocolate chips or chopped festive candies like peppermint bark or nuts to maintain texture and flavor.
Print
Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
Description
Enjoy the festive flavors of Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies, a delightful holiday treat filled with semi-sweet and white chocolate chips as well as colorful candy-coated chocolates. These classic cookies are soft, chewy, and sprinkled with optional flaky sea salt for an extra gourmet touch. Perfect for sharing during the holiday season or any cozy day at home.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup red, green, and white candy-coated chocolates
Topping
- Flaky sea salt, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter together with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. This aerates the dough and ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them. Then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to make sure these ingredients are evenly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Chips and Candies: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and candy-coated chocolates, reserving a few pieces to place on top of the cookies before baking.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm it up; this prevents spreading and enhances flavor development.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Scoop Dough: Using a tablespoon measure, scoop out 2-tablespoon balls of dough and space them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, pressing a few reserved chips or candies on top for a festive look.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn golden and the centers appear set but still soft.
- Cool and Finish: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired for a gourmet finish.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is important to prevent excessive spreading during baking and to enhance the cookie’s flavor.
- Using a mix of semi-sweet, white chocolate chips, and candy-coated chocolates gives both texture and a festive appearance.
- Optional flaky sea salt on top adds a pleasant contrast to the sweetness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- This recipe makes about 30 cookies, ideal for sharing during celebrations or gifting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chocolate chip cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, white chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolates
