Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Baking is an enjoyable activity, especially during the winter months. There’s something special about creating delicious treats that warm your home and bring joy to your family and friends. One of the best recipes to try this season is the Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies. Each bite of these cookies is packed with delightful flavors and has a fun festive touch that everyone loves. These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy nights, and are even great for sharing with neighbors or coworkers. You will find that this cookie recipe is simple and will leave you with beautiful, chewy cookies with a holiday swirl.

Why Make This Recipe

One of the main reasons to make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies is the unique combination of flavors and textures. The classic chocolate chip cookie gets a festive twist with the addition of white chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies. The combination results in cookies that are not only delicious but also visually appealing.

Baking these cookies is a fantastic way to fill your home with the comforting scent of warm cookies, creating a cozy atmosphere. They make excellent gifts during the holiday season. You can package them in pretty boxes or gift bags. Friends and family will appreciate the personal touch of homemade treats.

Additionally, this recipe is easy to follow, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up a batch of cookies quickly. Plus, these cookies are versatile. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences, making them a great base for any cookie lover’s imagination.

How to Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

Let’s dive into making these delightful cookies. With just a few steps and some mixing, you’ll have a wonderful batch ready to enjoy. Below are the detailed ingredients and directions to help you along the way.

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

Directions

1. Prepare the Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking. This is an important step that will ensure your cookies come out perfectly.

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix them until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is important because it adds air to your cookie batter, making the cookies soft and chewy.

Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This will enhance the flavor of your cookies.

In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make your cookies tough.

Now it’s time to fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies. These will give your cookies their festive touch and delightful flavor.

Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Make sure there’s enough space between each cookie, as they will spread while baking.

Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The centers may look a little undercooked, but they will firm up as they cool.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

Serving these cookies is as easy as enjoying them! You can plate them on a decorative dish for a sweet treat at gatherings. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some crushed peppermint candies on top before serving.

These cookies are delightful on their own, but they can also be paired with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or even a cup of coffee. They make an excellent addition to dessert tables during holiday parties and family gatherings.

How to Store Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies. Just place them in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

When you are ready to enjoy the frozen cookies, simply take them out and let them thaw at room temperature. You can also warm them slightly in the microwave for a few seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Tips to Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is softened at room temperature. This helps achieve the right texture for the cookies.

2. Measuring Flour: When measuring flour, scoop and level it off for accuracy. This ensures you don’t use too much, which can lead to dry cookies.

3. Chilling the Dough: For thicker cookies, consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking.

4. Peppermint Candies: If you want less minty flavor, reduce the amount of crushed peppermint candies. You can always adjust based on your preference.

5. Mix-ins: Feel free to experiment! You can add nuts, different types of chocolate, or even dried fruits. Make these cookies your own.

Variations

While the Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies are delicious as is, there are many ways to vary this recipe. You can try using dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a richer flavor or add a bit of orange zest for a citrusy twist.

Additionally, you could replace the white chocolate chips with butterscotch chips for a completely different taste. If you love nutty flavors, consider mixing in some chopped walnuts or pecans. The versatility of this cookie recipe means you can customize it however you like!

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but you should reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon to balance the flavors.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before scooping and baking.

How can I ensure my cookies are soft and chewy?

To keep your cookies soft, do not overbake them. The centers should look slightly underdone when you take them out of the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, as they will continue to cook while cooling.

Now that you have the complete guide to making the wonderful Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies, it’s time to gather your ingredients and start baking. Enjoy the process, and most importantly, enjoy sharing these festive treats with your loved ones! Happy baking!

Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

Delightful chocolate chip cookies with a festive twist of white chocolate and crushed peppermint, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 150

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Cookie Dough

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Make sure butter is at room temperature.
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs Add eggs one at a time.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Enhances the flavor.
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour Scoop and level off for accuracy.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt If using salted butter, reduce salt to 1/4 teaspoon.

For the Mix-Ins

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips Can substitute with butterscotch chips.
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies Adjust amount for desired minty flavor.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually mix into the wet ingredients until just combined.
5. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies.

Baking

1. Drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring enough space between each cookie.
2. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.
3. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week, or freeze them for up to three months. For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.