Step into the magic of the season with these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies soft, chewy, and sparkling with festive joy. Each bite is a cozy embrace of melted chocolate, cool peppermint, and sweet white chocolate drizzle that feels like a warm hug on a snowy day.
Perfect for Christmas gatherings, cookie exchanges, or a quiet night by the fireplace, these cookies capture the heart of winter’s wonder one delicious bite at a time.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive & Flavorful – A delightful blend of chocolate and peppermint, perfect for the holidays.
- Soft & Chewy Texture – Melts in your mouth with every bite.
- Whimsical Charm – Snowy drizzle and candy cane sparkle create a magical winter look.
- Versatile – Customize with your favorite mix-ins like nuts or crushed candy canes.
- Easy to Make – Perfect for baking with family during the holidays.
🛠 Tools You’ll Need
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer (hand or stand) 🎛️
- Separate bowl (for dry ingredients)
- Whisk
- Spatula or spoon
- Wire rack
🥄 Key Ingredients
- Softened butter – For a rich, tender cookie base 🧈
- Brown sugar – Adds moisture and chewiness
- Granulated sugar – Brings crisp edges and sweetness
- Eggs – Binds ingredients together
- Vanilla extract – Deepens flavor
- All-purpose flour – Provides structure
- Baking soda – Helps cookies rise and spread
- Salt – Balances sweetness
- White chocolate chips – Creamy, sweet addition
- Crushed candy canes (optional) – Adds festive peppermint crunch
🍪 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, beat together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and creamy.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
4. Mix Dough:
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined (do not overmix). Fold in white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes if desired.
5. Bake Cookies:
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place onto baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
6. Cool and Decorate:
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with additional crushed candy canes for a winter wonderland finish.
💡 Tips for Success
- Don’t Overbake – Check cookies at the 10-minute mark for soft centers.
- Use Softened Butter – Room temperature butter ensures smooth creaming.
- Avoid Overmixing – Keeps cookies soft and tender.
- Line with Parchment Paper – Prevents sticking and simplifies cleanup.
🆘 Cookie Troubleshooting Guide
Problem: My cookies are too flat and spread too much.
Likely Cause: Butter was too soft/melted, oven not hot enough, or too little flour.
Solution: Ensure butter is softened but not melted. Chill dough for 15–30 minutes before baking. Double-check oven temperature with an oven thermometer.
Problem: My cookies are dry and crumbly.
Likely Cause: Overbaked or too much flour.
Solution: Reduce baking time. Measure flour accurately (preferably by weight) and avoid overmixing the dough.
👩🍳 Pro Chef Tips
- Chill the Dough: For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) before baking. This helps prevent spreading.
- Use Quality Ingredients: High-quality chocolate chips and fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Don’t Skimp on Vanilla: A good vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the cookie.
☕ Perfect Pairings: What to Enjoy with Your Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Hot Cocoa: A classic pairing; the warmth and richness of hot cocoa complement the cookies perfectly.
- Peppermint Tea: Enhances the peppermint notes in the cookies for a truly festive experience.
- Coffee: A medium roast coffee or a latte provides a nice balance to the sweetness of the cookies.
- Milk: A cold glass of milk is always a comforting companion to chocolate chip cookies.
📦 How to Store
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for 3–5 days.
- Make Ahead Tip: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to baking time.
🍰 More Recipes You’ll Love
- Chocolate Lofthouse Cookies: Your New Favorite Soft & Fudgy Treat! 🍫🍪
- Cookies & Cream Cookies: Your New Favorite Oreo-Filled Treat!
- Delightful Strawberry Swirl Cookies: A Chewy, Fruity Treat! 🍓✨
- The Ultimate Soft Batch Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft, Chewy, and Peppermint-Kissed Christmas Magic ❄️🍪
Description
These Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the classic chewy cookie texture with a festive peppermint twist. With a snowy drizzle and a touch of candy cane crunch, they’re perfect for cozy winter gatherings and holiday gifting.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one by one, then vanilla extract.
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In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
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Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients gently. Fold in white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.
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Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes.
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Cool 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Drizzle melted white chocolate and sprinkle crushed candy canes for decoration.