Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies bring a festive twist to a classic favorite. Loaded with both semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, plus crushed peppermint candies, they offer a delightful balance of sweet and minty flavors perfect for the holiday season.

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 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Step 6: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies evenly throughout the dough.
7. Step 7: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Step 8: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers still look soft.
9. Step 9: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra peppermint flavor, add a 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract along with the vanilla extract.
• Use crushed candy canes if you prefer a coarser peppermint texture.
• Try mixing in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added crunch.
• Make smaller cookies for bite-sized treats or larger ones for sharing at holiday parties.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave.

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 oversalting.

Can I substitute the peppermint candies with another topping?

Absolutely. You can replace the crushed peppermint candies with nuts, toffee bits, or even dried fruit to change up the flavor and texture.

Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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These Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie, featuring a buttery crust loaded with semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, and a delightful crunch of crushed peppermint candies for a refreshing holiday touch.

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

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cookie Dough:

• 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: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring a smooth and homogenous mixture.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
5. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
6. Add Chocolate and Peppermint: Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies evenly throughout the dough.
7. Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
8. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden and centers are set but still soft.
9. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

• For even peppermint distribution, crush the candies finely but leave some larger pieces for added texture.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
• You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
• Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for proper cookie texture.
• For extra festive presentation, sprinkle a few crushed peppermint candies on top of each cookie dough ball before baking.

Keywords: Winter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, peppermint cookies, holiday desserts, festive cookies, chocolate chip, peppermint candies