A warm tray of cookies can make any cold day feel cozy. These Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies are bright, sweet, and a little minty. Read on to learn how to make them step by step.
introduction
This Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe gives you soft, chewy cookies with chocolate chips, white chocolate, and a touch of peppermint. The cookie tops look like a snowy holiday scene with crushed peppermint candies. If you like easy chocolate chip treats you can also try an almond butter option for a different taste with similar simplicity: almond butter chocolate chip cookies. This introduction tells you what to expect and how simple the recipe is.
Why You’ll Love This Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
You will love these cookies for many reasons. They are soft in the center and slightly crisp on the edges. The mix of semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips gives a nice contrast. The crushed peppermint candies add a fresh, minty bite and a festive look. The recipe uses common ingredients and simple steps. You can make them for a holiday party, a family snack, or a cold winter evening by the fire. They also store well so you can make a batch ahead and enjoy later.
Why Make This Recipe
Make this recipe because it is quick and clear. It does not use fancy tools or hard techniques. Most of the work is mixing and baking. The peppermint makes the cookies feel special without extra work. The dough holds together well and is easy to scoop. You can make bigger or smaller cookies to match your need. Kids can help with stirring and adding the crushed candy. If you want a fun and fast holiday cookie, this is a good choice.
What You Need for Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
You need a few basic tools. A mixer helps but you can use a whisk and strong hands. Gather a mixing bowl, a hand or stand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, a baking sheet, parchment paper or silicone mat, and a cooling rack. Use a cookie scoop or large spoon to form cookies. A small bowl for the crushed peppermint keeps the work neat. A spatula and a wire cooling rack make the final steps easy. That is all you need to get started.
How to Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
Directions:
- Prepare the Crust:
Start by warming your oven and lining a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream the butter and sugars. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup unsalted butter (softened) with 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 3/4 cup packed brown sugar until the mix is light and smooth. Add 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and beat again until the mix looks even.
Mix the dry ingredients. In another bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix the dry mix into the wet mix slowly. Stir until you have a soft cookie dough.
Add the chips and candy. Fold in 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup white chocolate chips. Stir in 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies. The dough will be soft but hold together.
Scoop and bake. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to place dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes until the edges are light golden. The centers should still look soft; they will set as the cookies cool.
Cool and enjoy. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the sheet, then move them to a rack to cool fully. If you want a different flavor or texture, try a cake-batter version for a softer, sweeter bite: cake batter chocolate chip cookies.
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:
- Prepare the Crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment. Cream butter and both sugars until light. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until smooth. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Add dry mix into wet mix and stir until combined. Fold in semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, then fold in crushed peppermint. Scoop dough onto sheets and bake 9–12 minutes. Cool briefly on the sheet, then transfer to a rack.
Note: The "Prepare the Crust" line is used here to start the directions. For cookies, this means get your baking pan ready and preheat the oven.
Best Ways to Serve Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
Serve these cookies warm for the best taste. A warm cookie makes the chocolate soft and the peppermint fragrant. Pair them with a glass of cold milk, hot chocolate, or a cup of coffee. For a party, arrange cookies on a platter with fresh mint sprigs or a light dust of powdered sugar to look like snow. You can also sandwich two cookies with vanilla frosting or cream for a festive cookie sandwich. If you bring them to a gathering, put them in a simple box with tissue paper to keep them looking nice.
How to Store Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
Store cooled cookies at room temperature in an airtight container. Place a sheet of parchment between layers to keep them from sticking. They last about 4 to 5 days at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. To freeze dough, scoop dough balls onto a tray, freeze until firm, then move them to a bag. Bake frozen dough, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.
Easy Tips to Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for even mixing.
- Don’t overmix once the flour is in. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes if you want thicker cookies.
- Press a few extra chips on top of each dough ball before baking for a pretty look.
- Crush peppermint in a plastic bag with a rolling pin to control piece size.
- If you like stronger mint, add a drop of peppermint extract, but use very little.
Try These Variations of Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Double Chocolate: Use cocoa in the dough for rich chocolate cookies.
- Nut Crunch: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- No Peppermint: Skip the peppermint and use more white chips for a sweeter cookie.
- Mini Cookies: Make smaller cookies and bake less time for bite-sized treats.
- Frosted Sandwiches: Spread a thin layer of cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a showy dessert.
Common Questions About Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies (Minimum 3 FAQs)
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: Yes, you can. If you use salted butter, skip adding extra salt or reduce the salt a little. The cookies will be fine but check taste.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can chill the dough in the fridge for up to 48 hours. For longer storage, freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two if needed.
Q: Do I need to crush the peppermint finely?
A: Not too fine. Small pieces add texture and look good. Avoid powder; leave small bits so you get a crunchy candy bite.
Q: How do I keep cookies soft?
A: Remove cookies from the oven when the centers look set but still soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Store with a slice of bread in the container to help keep them soft.
Final Thoughts
These Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies make a nice mix of classic chocolate chip flavor and a fresh peppermint touch. The recipe is simple and uses ingredients you likely have. You can change size, keep them soft, or make them crunchy with small changes. They are a good cookie choice for holiday trays and everyday treats.
Ready to Give It a Try?
If you want a quick, festive cookie that looks like a holiday scene and tastes like winter, this recipe is easy to follow. Gather your ingredients, warm the oven, and enjoy the smell of fresh cookies in your home. These cookies are friendly to bakers of any skill level.
Conclusion
For more seasonal cookie ideas and a different take on chocolate chip cookies, you can read a similar holiday recipe on this page: Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies – The Skinnyish Dish.
Print
Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive cookies combine soft dough with chocolate chips, white chocolate, and a touch of peppermint, perfect for any winter occasion.
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
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
- Cream butter and both sugars until light.
- Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until smooth.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.
- Add dry mix into wet mix and stir until combined.
- Fold in semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, then fold in crushed peppermint.
- Scoop dough onto sheets and bake for 9–12 minutes until edges are light golden.
- Cool briefly on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Store cooled cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg