Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a batch of freshly baked Classic Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies. This recipe takes the classic chocolate chip cookie to a new festive level with subtle holiday flavors and a few special ingredients.
Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a cookie exchange, or just to enjoy the season, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Simple, delicious, and perfectly sweet, they’ll quickly become a holiday favorite!
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for a festive touch)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup red and green M&Ms or holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the cookies tough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and M&Ms: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and red and green M&Ms or sprinkles to add a festive touch.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy with a glass of milk or a mug of hot cocoa!