Introduction: Why These Cookies Matter
The holiday season brings the joy of gathering, traditions, and comfort food. Cookies play a special role: they’re easy to share, universally loved, and can carry festive visual cues. The “Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies” combine the classic appeal of a chocolate chip cookie with seasonal sparkle and decorative cheer. Using sprinkles, white and semisweet chocolate chips, and holiday-themed touches, these cookies become more than a treat — they become part of the holiday memory.
As one blogger puts it:
“These delightful winter wonderland chocolate chip Christmas cookies bring magic to every festive gathering. Sweet aromas of vanilla and melted chocolate swirl through the air, promising pure holiday delight.” Craft Meats
And another says:
“I come back to this recipe every December. It always makes the tray. It’s festive without being fussy.” emmascakestudio.com
So this recipe not only delivers great flavor and texture but also a bit of seasonal storytelling and ritual.
Ingredients & Equipment
Here’s the detailed breakdown for one batch (approx. 30-36 cookies, adjust as needed).
Ingredients
For the cookie dough:
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1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. emmascakestudio.com+1
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1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar. emmascakestudio.com+1
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½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar, packed. emmascakestudio.com+1
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2 large eggs. (Room temperature preferred.) Craft Meats+1
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Craft Meats+1
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3 cups (approx. 360 g) all-purpose flour. emmascakestudio.com+1
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1 teaspoon baking soda. Time of Recipes
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½ teaspoon baking powder. Time of Recipes
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½ teaspoon salt. Time of Recipes
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for warm holiday spice). Some versions include it. Craft Meats
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1 cup (approx. 170 g) white chocolate chips. emmascakestudio.com+1
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1 cup (approx. 170 g) semisweet chocolate chips. emmascakestudio.com
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Festive sprinkles or sanding sugar (red/green or holiday shapes) to taste for decoration. Time of Recipes+1
Equipment
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Large mixing bowl
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Electric mixer (hand or stand) or good manual whisk and elbow grease
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Medium bowl for dry ingredients
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Measuring cups/spoons or scale for more precision
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Baking sheets
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Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
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Cookie scoop (optional but helpful for uniform size)
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Wire cooling racks
Step-by-Step Method
Here’s how to make them, with notes and tips for great outcomes.
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Pre-heat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Time of Recipes+1
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This ensures easy release and even baking.
If you have a cookie scoop, set it aside for uniform dough balls.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars
In your mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture. This aeration is what gives cookies good rise, softness, and chew.
Tip: If the butter is too cold it won’t cream well; if too warm it may cause spreading. Let it soften but stay solid.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
At this stage your dough is turning rich and smooth.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and (if using) ground cinnamon. Ensuring even distribution helps avoid pockets of leavening that can cause uneven texture.
Then gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix — over-mixing gluten can lead to tougher cookies.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate & Sprinkles
Once the flour mixture is mostly incorporated, fold in the white chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, and the sprinkles (reserving some sprinkles for topping if you like). The dual-chocolate chip combo (white + semisweet) creates visual contrast and flavor complexity: “semi-sweet holds shape and bitterness, while white chocolate melts smoother and brings contrast.” emmascakestudio.com
Step 6: Shape the Dough
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion dough into balls (approx. tablespoon size or as desired for your preferred cookie size). Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spread. If you want more uniform tall cookies, you can chill the dough for about 30 minutes in the fridge which reduces spread. emmascakestudio.com+1
Before baking, you can press in a few extra chocolate chips and sprinkles on the top of each dough ball for a styled, festive appearance.
Step 7: Bake
Place baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes (some sources say 12 minutes) or until the edges are slightly golden and the centers are set but still soft. Time of Recipes+1
Remember, cookies continue to set a bit after being removed from the oven, so pulling them when the centers are just slightly soft gives a chewy interior with firm edges.
Step 8: Cool & Garnish
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes (this helps them set up), then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. While they’re still warm, you can press a few extra sprinkles or sanding sugar on top for extra color and sparkle.
These decorative finishes are part of what turns a good cookie into a holiday cookie. emmascakestudio.com
Texture, Flavor & What Makes Them Festive
These cookies balance several texture and flavor elements that make them special for the season:
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Chewy centers, with soft interior that offers a pleasant bite.
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Slightly crisp edges, providing contrast and structure.
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Dual-chocolate flavour (semisweet + white) that keeps them interesting, not one-note.
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Warm spice (optional cinnamon) adds seasonal warmth beyond vanilla.
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Sprinkles and decorative touches signal “holiday” visually—red/green or white/silver sprinkles add the “winter wonderland” effect.
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Visual contrast: white chocolate chips and colourful sprinkles stand out against golden dough.
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The experience: baking fills the kitchen with the aroma of butter, sugar, chocolate and vanilla—evoking comfort, warmth and festive tradition.
One writer says:
“These cookies become part of the tray… festive without being fussy.” emmascakestudio.com
And another:
“Holiday cookies are super soft, thick and chewy… chocolate chips and colorful candy…” Snowflakes & Coffeecakes Cooking School
So you’re aiming for that perfect balance of indulgence and comfort.
Tips & Tricks for Success
Here are some pro-tips to help you nail the recipe:
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Butter temperature: Softened (room temp) but not melted. Too warm = spreading cookies. Too cold = dense or uneven texture.
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Chill dough if you like thicker cookies: Even 30 minutes helps reduce spread and gives more height. emmascakestudio.com
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Uniform sizing: Use a cookie scoop to make each cookie the same size for even bake times.
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Watch the bake time: Pull out when edges are lightly golden and centers are still soft—carry-over will finish them.
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Decorate immediately: Press a few extra chips and sprinkles into the tops after baking (while still warm) so they adhere and look professional.
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Freezing dough: Many recipes note that dough can be portioned and frozen for later, then baked directly from frozen (adding 1-2 minutes bake time). Craft Meats
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Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days for best texture. To refresh cookies, warm for a few seconds in the microwave or oven to soften again.
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Adjusting sweetness: Because of the white chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles, these cookies can be quite sweet. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce white chocolate chips slightly or choose darker semisweet chips.
Creative Variations & Festive Twists
Want to make these cookies even more memorable or personalised? Here are some ideas:
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Peppermint twist: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and top with ¼ cup crushed candy canes.
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Crunch variation: Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for texture.
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Salted caramel version: Add ½ cup caramel bits and sprinkle with flaky sea salt just after baking.
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White chocolate cranberry: Substitute ½ cup dried cranberries for some chips and keep the white chocolate chips for contrast.
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Mini cookie version: Use smaller dough balls and bake for slightly shorter time (8-10 minutes) for homemade cookie gifts or platters.
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Vegan version: Use vegan butter, substitute one flax “egg” (1 Tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 Tbsp water) for each egg, and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
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Gluten-free version: Use a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend and consider adding 1-2 teaspoons of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it for better structure.
These variations enable you to tailor the recipe to your dietary needs or occasion.
Presentation & Gifting Ideas
Since these cookies are intended for the holiday season, presentation matters.
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Cookie tray: Arrange on a festive platter with parchment, stack cookies two high, add sprigs of evergreen or holly for decoration.
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Cookie gift jars: Layer cookies in a mason jar, tie with a red or green ribbon, add a gift tag with the recipe name.
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Wrap individually: Use small clear bags and tie with ribbon—great for party favors.
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Cookie sandwich: Take two cookies, sandwich a thin layer of white chocolate ganache or marshmallow fluff for a special treat.
Visual appeal helps transform a simple cookie into a “holiday best”.
Why This Recipe Works for Holidays
There are several reasons this recipe is particularly well-suited for the holiday season:
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The dual chocolate chips add visual and flavour richness—white chips stand out against dark chips and dough.
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The inclusion of sprinkles or sanding sugar adds color and sparkle, evoking “winter wonderland”.
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It’s adaptable and forgiving—perfect for batch baking, gifts, cookie swaps, or family traditions.
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The aroma of baking cookies invokes comfort, past memories, and festive mood.
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It can be prepared ahead (even frozen dough) and yet still look fresh and inviting when served.
As one site says:
“Festive chocolate chip cookies made with both white and semisweet chocolate chips, buttery dough, and colorful holiday sprinkles for the ultimate Christmas treat.” Tasty at Home
Thus you’re not just baking cookies—you’re creating part of the holiday experience.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some issues you may encounter and how to fix them:
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Cookies spread too much: Dough may have been too warm, or baking sheet too hot. Chill dough for 30 minutes, reduce oven temp slightly, and ensure butter was not melted.
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Cookies too flat/thin: Also could be warm dough, too little flour, or baking time too long. Increase flour slightly (by ~2 Tbsp) or reduce bake time.
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Centers too under-baked and raw: Increase bake time by 1-2 minutes; ensure dough balls are of uniform size; pull once edges are golden and center just set.
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Cookies too hard or crisp: Possibly over-baked or cooling left them on hot sheet too long. Remove from sheet sooner and transfer to wire rack; reduce bake time by a minute.
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Sprinkles melt or color bleed: Some sprinkles bleed colour when baked at high temps. Press sprinkles onto warm cookies immediately after baking rather than before to maintain crisp look.
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Texture too cakey: Could be too much flour, over-mixing, or too much leavening. Ensure proper measurement and minimal mixing after adding flour.
Scaling, Batch Baking & Freezing
For holiday gatherings, you may need large batches. Here’s how to scale:
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Double the recipe and use two bowls to mix, or process sequentially. Baking sheets can be rotated between racks for even baking.
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Freeze dough balls: After portioning dough into balls, place on a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to sealed bags. When ready to bake, you can place frozen dough balls on baking sheet and add 1-2 extra minutes baking time. Craft Meats
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Pre-make dough ahead: You can prepare dough, wrap tightly, and refrigerate overnight or up to 2-3 days. This can deepen flavour and improve texture.
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Store baked cookies: Use airtight containers with a piece of bread or a slice of apple to help maintain moisture (bread/banana/apple slice technique).
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Label: If gifting, attach labels: “Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies” with storage instructions: best within 3-4 days for peak texture.
Cultural & Emotional Notes
Cookies during the holidays are more than food—they’re shared pleasure, nostalgia, and ritual. The holiday cookie tray is part of many traditions. By making these “Winter Wonderland” chocolate chip cookies, you’re joining that tradition, adding your touch with sprinkles, white chocolate, and holiday styling.
As one writer notes:
“Baking these cookies becomes a cherished tradition that connects generations.” Craft Meats
The cookie isn’t just eaten—it’s gifted, photographed, discussed, paired with cocoa or coffee, arranged on the tree-side table. Taking time for these small but meaningful rituals helps anchor the holiday week and create memories.
Full Recipe: Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies
Yield: ~30-36 cookies
Prep Time: ~20-25 minutes (plus optional chill)
Bake Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time: approx. 35-45 minutes (or longer if chilling)
Ingredients
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1 cup unsalted butter (226 g), softened
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1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
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½ cup light brown sugar (110 g), packed
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2 large eggs, room temp
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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3 cups all-purpose flour (360 g)
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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(Optional) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 cup white chocolate chips (~170 g)
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1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (~170 g)
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Festive sprinkles (red/green/white) or sanding sugar, to taste
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
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Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid over-mixing.
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Fold in the white chocolate chips and semisweet chocolate chips and most of the sprinkles (reserve some for topping).
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Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion dough into balls (~tablespoon size), placing them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
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If desired, chill the dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies and less spread.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until edges are slightly golden and centers are still a bit soft.
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Remove from oven and, while still warm, press a few extra chocolate chips and sprinkles onto the top of each cookie for decoration. Let them sit on the baking sheet for ~5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Store cookies in an airtight container once completely cooled. Enjoy immediately or gift them!
Closing Thoughts
Baking these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies gives you a delicious treat and also a token of festive care and creativity. They strike a balance between classic flavor (chocolate chip cookie base) and holiday shine (white chips, sprinkles, styling). They’re approachable yet memorable.
Whether you bake a single batch for your family or dozens for gifts and parties, these cookies are designed to bring joy, warmth, and holiday sparkle. With the tips and variations above, you can adapt to your preferences, dietary needs, and presentation style.
So preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and let the cookie-baking magic begin. The aroma. The melt-in-your-mouth texture. The festive appearance. It’s all part of creating the holiday memory.
Enjoy every bite. Merry baking!
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