Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies

Perfect holiday cookies with a soft, chewy center and crispy edges, loaded with chocolate chips and festive touches

Overview

These aren’t your ordinary chocolate chip cookies – they’re elevated for the holiday season with special ingredients and techniques that create the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The secret lies in using a combination of brown and white sugars, chilling the dough, and adding festive elements like holiday-colored chocolate chips, cranberries, or seasonal spices.

What makes these cookies truly special is the careful balance of ingredients that creates cookies with crispy edges and soft, chewy centers. The addition of cornstarch helps achieve that perfect texture, while a touch of sea salt enhances all the flavors. These cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or leaving out for Santa!

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

For the Chocolate Chips and Mix-ins:

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup red and green chocolate chips or M&Ms
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

For Festive Variations:

Peppermint Chocolate Chip:

• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Gingerbread Spice:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Orange Cranberry:

• Zest of 2 oranges
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

For Finishing:

• Flaky sea salt
• Coarse sugar for rolling (optional)
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer)
• Cookie scoops or spoons
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Wire cooling racks
• Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Set aside.
2. If making spiced cookies, add the spices to the flour mixture now.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

1. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
2. The mixture should be pale and increased in volume. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts

1. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
2. Add vanilla extract and almond extract (if using). For peppermint cookies, add peppermint extract here.
3. Beat until well combined and the mixture is smooth.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

1. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
2. Don’t overmix – stop as soon as the flour disappears.

Step 5: Add Mix-ins

1. Using a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula, fold in the chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, colored chips, cranberries, and nuts.
2. For peppermint cookies, fold in crushed candy canes now.
3. For orange cranberry cookies, fold in orange zest with the mix-ins.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

1. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
2. Chilling helps prevent spreading and creates better texture.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
3. If using coarse sugar for rolling, place it in a small bowl.

Step 8: Shape and Bake

1. Using a cookie scoop or spoons, portion the dough into 2-tablespoon sized balls.
2. If desired, roll each ball in coarse sugar for extra sparkle.
3. Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
4. Lightly flatten each cookie with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
5. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt.
6. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden but centers still look slightly underdone.

Step 9: Cool and Finish

1. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
2. For an extra festive touch, dust cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar while still slightly warm.

Professional Tips for Perfect Cookies

Ingredient Tips:

• Room temperature ingredients mix more easily and create better texture
• Don’t skip the cornstarch – it’s the secret to soft centers
• Use a mix of chocolate chip sizes for varied texture
• Toast nuts before adding for deeper flavor

Technique Tips:

• Don’t overbake – cookies will continue cooking on the hot pan
• Chill the dough for less spreading and better texture
• Use parchment paper for easy removal and even baking
• Rotate pans halfway through baking for even browning

Shaping Tips:

• Consistent sizing ensures even baking
• Leave space between cookies for spreading
• Slightly underdone centers will finish cooking on the pan
• Press gently if you want flatter cookies

Festive Decoration Ideas

Simple Decorating:

• Drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies
• Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar
• Press additional chocolate chips on top before baking
• Sprinkle with colored sugar

Advanced Decorating:

• Dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate
• Create sandwich cookies with cream cheese frosting
• Use royal icing to create holiday designs
• Roll edges in chopped nuts or coconut

Storage and Gift-Giving Tips

Storage:

• Store in airtight containers for up to 1 week
• Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking
• Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months
• Dough can be frozen for up to 2 months

Gift-Giving:

• Package in decorative tins or cellophane bags
• Include recipe cards for popular variations
• Layer different varieties in gift boxes
• Add festive ribbons and gift tags

Make-Ahead Instructions

Dough Preparation:

1. Make dough up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate
2. Portion into balls and freeze on baking sheets
3. Transfer frozen dough balls to freezer bags
4. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time

Baked Cookies:

1. Bake cookies completely and cool
2. Store in airtight containers or freeze
3. Decorate just before serving if desired

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Cookies spread too much: Dough may be too warm, or oven temperature too low. Chill dough longer and check oven temperature.

Cookies are too crispy: Likely overbaked or too much flour. Reduce baking time by 1-2 minutes.

Cookies are too cake-like: May be too much flour or not enough fat. Check measurements and don’t overmix.

Uneven baking: Oven hot spots or different sized cookies. Rotate pans and use consistent portioning.

Nutritional Information (Per Cookie, Makes 36 cookies)

• Calories: Approximately 195
• Protein: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fat: 9g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 18g

Serving Suggestions

These festive chocolate chip cookies are perfect for:

• Holiday cookie exchanges
• Christmas morning breakfast treats
• Gift baskets and care packages
• Santa’s midnight snack
• Winter party dessert tables
• Lunchbox treats throughout the season

Serve with hot cocoa, eggnog, or mulled cider for the ultimate holiday experience. They’re also delicious crumbled over ice cream or used as a base for holiday trifles.

Recipe Variations

Mini Cookies:

• Use 1 tablespoon portions
• Bake for 7-9 minutes
• Perfect for parties and gift tins

Jumbo Cookies:

• Use 1/4 cup portions
• Bake for 12-15 minutes
• Great for special occasions

Gluten-Free Version:

• Substitute with gluten-free flour blend
• Add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum if not included in flour
• May need slightly less liquid

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 9-11 minutes per batch
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 36 cookies
Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate