Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

$To make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies, gather these simple ingredients: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips - 1 cup white chocolate chips - 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies (optional) - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (for a cozy touch) These ingredients create a perfect blend of flavors. The butter adds richness, while the sugars give sweetness. The eggs help bind everything together. The mix of semisweet and white chocolate offers a nice contrast. The optional peppermint adds a fun holiday flair. You can also add cinnamon for warmth. Gathering fresh ingredients makes a big difference. Softened butter mixes better. Using high-quality chocolate elevates each bite. If you choose to add peppermint, crush it into small pieces. This will spread a delightful crunch throughout the cookie. Now that you have your ingredients ready, you're well on your way to baking these winter delights! {{ingredient_image_1}} - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Mix until it is light and fluffy. - Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time. Then add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing well after each egg. - In another bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. - Slowly add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is combined and smooth. - Gently fold in 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips. - Add 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of crushed peppermint candies if you want that festive touch. Mix until evenly distributed throughout the dough. - Use a tablespoon to drop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart. - Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. They should be lightly golden on the edges but still soft in the center. - After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The right temperature for your ingredients is key. Use softened butter, not cold. This helps create a smooth dough. Room-temperature eggs mix in better too. They help the cookies rise nicely. To get the perfect texture, do not overmix the dough. Mix until just combined. You want soft, chewy cookies. If you like them crisp, bake a bit longer. Dusting the cookies with powdered sugar makes them look like snow. Use a fine sieve for even coverage. This little touch adds charm to your treat. Adding peppermint sticks gives a festive look and flavor. Just stick a few into the cookies. It adds a nice crunch too. You can also crush them and sprinkle on top for extra flair. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cookie. Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the dry ingredients just until combined with the wet ingredients to avoid tough cookies. Chill the Dough: For an even thicker cookie, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading. Store Cookies Properly: Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their freshness and prevent them from becoming hard. {{image_2}} You can change the taste of these cookies in fun ways. Swap semisweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips. Dark chocolate gives a rich, bold flavor. You can also mix in nuts or dried fruits. Pecans, walnuts, or cranberries add great texture and taste. To make these cookies festive, try using red and green m&m's. They give a pop of color and fun. You can also create a snowy look. Dust the cookies with powdered sugar to mimic fresh snow. Add whole peppermint sticks for a cheerful touch. These simple tweaks make your cookies stand out. To keep your Winter Wonderland chocolate chip cookies fresh, follow these tips: - Wait until cookies cool completely before storing. - Place them in an airtight container. - Use layers of parchment paper between cookies. - Store in a cool, dry place. For short-term storage, cookies last up to one week. For longer freshness, consider freezing them. You can freeze cookie dough for later use. Here’s how: - Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls. - Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment. - Freeze the balls until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. To thaw baked cookies: - Take cookies out of the freezer. - Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. - Enjoy your cookies as if they were freshly baked! These cookies stay fresh for about one week when stored correctly. Place them in an airtight container. Keep them in a cool, dry place. If you store them this way, they will keep their soft texture. Yes, you can use margarine. However, butter gives these cookies a richer flavor. Margarine may change the texture slightly. If you choose margarine, make sure it's softened to the same consistency as butter. If you don’t have peppermint candies, try using crushed candy canes. You can also replace them with chocolate-covered mint candies. For a different twist, try using dried fruit or nuts for a new flavor. You can make these cookies gluten-free. Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture. This way, you can enjoy these cookies without any gluten. Look for lightly golden edges on the cookies. The centers should still look soft. Bake them for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them. This allows them to set perfectly. You now have a detailed guide to making delicious cookies. We covered all the ingredients you need, followed by easy step-by-step instructions. I shared some useful tips for baking and decorating. Explore the flavor variations for fun twists. Lastly, learn how to store and freeze your cookies for later. Enjoy baking and sharing these treats! Your family and friends will love them. Don’t forget to get creative and make them your own. Happy baking!$

Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

Delicious chocolate chip cookies with a festive twist of peppermint and cinnamon, perfect for winter celebrations.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 12

Total Time 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
0.5 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
0.5 cup crushed peppermint candies (optional)
0.5 teaspoon cinnamon (for a cozy touch)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients until combined.
Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Arrange the cookies on a festive plate, dust them with powdered sugar to resemble snow, and add a few whole peppermint sticks for a wintery touch!

Keyword chocolate chip, cookies, dessert, peppermint, winter