Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

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Every holiday season, I find myself reaching for a recipe that feels like pure joy in a bite—and that’s exactly what these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies are. They’re a mash-up of everything I love about this time of year: rich, gooey chocolate, festive peppermint crunch, and that irresistible cookie softness that makes you close your eyes on the first bite. These cookies are the kind that disappear from the plate faster than any others, and I’m not even mad about it.

I started making these cookies a few years ago when I wanted something more festive than the classic chocolate chip cookie. Tossing in crushed candy canes, both dark and white chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of flaky salt created something magical—sweet, minty, melty, and slightly crunchy. Whether you’re baking them for a cookie swap, holiday party, or just a cozy night in with cocoa, they always bring sparkle to the table.

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Why You’ll Love This Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe

These cookies blend the nostalgic charm of classic chocolate chip cookies with the spirited cheer of the holidays. They’re chewy in the center, crisp at the edges, and loaded with three types of chocolate chips and peppermint crunch. The finishing touch of flaky sea salt gives them that gourmet feel. If you’re after a crowd-pleaser, these are it.

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What Kind of Chocolate Chips Should I Use?

I prefer using a mix of semi-sweet, dark, and white chocolate chips for flavor complexity and color contrast. The dark chocolate deepens the richness, the semi-sweet keeps it balanced, and the white chocolate adds a touch of creamy sweetness. You can also chop up your favorite chocolate bars for rustic chunks instead.

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Options for Substitutions

No peppermint candies on hand? Swap them with Andes mints, peppermint bark pieces, or crushed mint chocolates. For a nutty twist, add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts. Gluten-free flour works well as a 1:1 replacement if needed, and vegan butter plus a flax egg will keep these plant-based without sacrificing flavor.

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Ingredients for this Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies Recipe

Unsalted Butter – Creates that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and carries the flavor throughout the cookie.

Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar – A combination of both adds moisture, sweetness, and a rich, caramel undertone.

Eggs – They bind the dough and contribute to the soft, chewy center.

Vanilla Extract – Adds warmth and depth, balancing the peppermint flavor perfectly.

All-Purpose Flour – The foundation of the dough; provides structure while keeping the cookies tender.

Baking Soda & Baking Powder – These work together to lift and spread the cookies just the right amount.

Salt – Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.

Semi-Sweet, Dark & White Chocolate Chips – A trio of chocolate types makes each bite exciting and well-balanced.

Crushed Peppermint Candies – These add the crunch and iconic minty freshness.

Flaky Sea Salt – A pinch on top creates a gourmet finish and makes the sweetness pop.

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Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Use a stand or hand mixer to beat together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is key to a soft and chewy cookie base.

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Step 2: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract. This helps the dough hold together and gives it a rich flavor.

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Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to the wet mixture until fully incorporated.

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Step 4: Fold in the Goodies

Stir in the semi-sweet, dark, and white chocolate chips, followed by the crushed peppermint candies. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

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Step 5: Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

Chill the dough for 30–60 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and intensifies the flavors.

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Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop out cookie dough balls (about 2 tablespoons each) onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave space between them as they will spread.

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Step 7: Add Finishing Touches

Before baking, lightly press a few extra chocolate chips and peppermint pieces into the tops for presentation. Sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt.

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Step 8: Bake and Cool

Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are just set. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

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How Long to Prepare the Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

Prep Time: Most of your time will go into prepping the ingredients and chilling the dough. Measuring, mixing, and folding everything together takes about 20 minutes. Chilling is optional but recommended for the best texture and shape.

Baking Time: Each batch takes 9–11 minutes in the oven. Allow an additional 5 minutes of cooling on the baking sheet to firm up before transferring to a wire rack. Overall, the total time from start to finish is about 45–60 minutes, depending on dough chilling.

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Tips for Perfect Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

• Use room temperature butter to cream properly with the sugars.
• Don’t skip the chilling step if you want cookies with a chewy center and defined edges.
• Mix the dough just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
• Press a few chocolate chips and peppermint bits into the tops before baking for a bakery-style look.
• Underbake slightly—cookies continue baking on the sheet after removal.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overbaking: This leads to dry, crumbly cookies. Remove them when the centers are still slightly soft.
• Skipping dough chilling: Warm dough spreads too much and loses its shape.
• Using melted butter: It can make the dough greasy and flat.
• Unevenly sized dough balls: This results in inconsistent baking.
• Too much peppermint: A little goes a long way. Too much can overpower the chocolate.

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What to Serve With Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies?

Hot Chocolate

Pairing these cookies with a rich, creamy hot cocoa amplifies the peppermint-chocolate combo.

Eggnog

A glass of chilled or spiced eggnog makes a nostalgic and festive complement.

Peppermint Mocha

For a cozy afternoon treat, these cookies are perfect with a warm peppermint mocha.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Sandwich a scoop between two cookies for a holiday dessert that feels indulgent and fun.

Holiday Tea

Cinnamon, peppermint, or chai teas match beautifully with the warm cookie flavors.

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Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to keep them soft.

Freezing Dough: Roll dough into balls and freeze on a tray. Transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.

Freezing Baked Cookies: Layer cookies between parchment in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.

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Estimated Nutrition

Per cookie (based on 24 servings):

• Calories: 210
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Sugar: 18g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Cholesterol: 25mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the dough up to 3 days in advance. Just store it in the fridge tightly wrapped.

Can I use peppermint extract instead of candies?

Yes, but go light—start with 1/4 teaspoon and adjust to taste. It’s much stronger than crushed peppermint.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

How do I know when they’re done baking?

The edges will be golden, but the centers should still look slightly underdone. They’ll firm up as they cool.

Can I skip the sea salt topping?

Sure! It’s optional, but it does enhance the sweetness and gives that bakery-style flavor.

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Conclusion

These Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies are a festive twist on a classic favorite. Packed with rich chocolate, cool peppermint, and a sprinkle of holiday magic, they’re guaranteed to be a hit at any seasonal gathering. Bake a batch (or two), and let the warm, minty aroma fill your kitchen with cheer. Whether for gifting or indulging, these cookies are the perfect sweet celebration of winter.

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