Easy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Enjoy the festive flavors of winter with this Easy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip cookie recipe. Combining classic chocolate chips with white chocolate and peppermint candies, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or any cozy day at home.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
6. Step 6: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies.
7. Step 7: Drop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
9. Step 9: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra festive flair, try adding a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top before baking.
• Use crushed candy canes if peppermint candies are unavailable, but crush them finely to avoid sharp pieces.
• Substitute half of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
• If you prefer softer cookies, take them out right at 9 minutes; for chewier edges, bake closer to 11 minutes.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm them gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes to restore freshness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting your cookies.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can chill the dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 24 hours before baking. This actually helps enhance the flavors and improves texture.

Easy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 149 reviews

Easy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip cookies are a festive twist on classic chocolate chip cookies, featuring a buttery crust loaded with semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, accented by crushed peppermint candies for a refreshing holiday sparkle. These cookies are perfect for winter celebrations and simple to make with a straightforward baking process.

• Author: Grace
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Crust:

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

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates the base texture for the cookies.
3. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to add flavor.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
5. Mix dry ingredients into wet: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and creating tough cookies.
6. Fold in chips and peppermint candies: Gently fold in both the semi-sweet and white chocolate chips along with the crushed peppermint candies to evenly disperse the delightful flavors and textures throughout the dough.
7. Shape and space dough balls: Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
8. Bake cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked.
9. Cool cookies: Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely, which helps maintain their chewy texture.

Notes

• For peppermint candies, crushed candy canes work well and add festive flavor.
• Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to keep cookies tender.
• You can refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help control spreading.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for optimal freshness.

Keywords: winter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, peppermint candy cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies