Hey there, cookie lovers! If you’re looking for a sweet way to embrace the cozy vibes of winter, look no further than these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies. They’re packed with warmth, love, and a bit of holiday magic, including a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies that gives them a delightful twist. Whether you’re baking for yourself or planning to share with friends and family, these cookies are sure to bring joy to everyone who takes a bite. So, grab your apron and let’s dive into the wonderful world of winter baking!
Why Make This Recipe
Let’s be real, winter can sometimes feel a bit long and dreary. The days are shorter, the nights are chilly, and comfort food becomes our best friend. That’s where these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies come in. Not only are they utterly delicious, but they also fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that feels like a warm hug on a cold day.
These cookies are a perfect blend of classic chocolate chip goodness mixed with seasonal flair. The combination of semi-sweet and white chocolate chips creates a luscious texture, while the crushed peppermint candies add that festive pop. Imagine cozying up on the couch with a cup of cocoa and one of these cookies, pure bliss, right? Plus, they’re super simple to make, so they’re excellent even for beginner bakers looking to impress.
How to Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ready to get started? Baking these cookies is both simple and enjoyable, perfect for a winter day spent in your cozy kitchen. Below, you’ll find the ingredients and directions you’ll need to make your very own batch of Winter Wonderland 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 your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until fully incorporated.
Add the Good Stuff: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies. The mixture should be thick and chunky, just how we like our cookie dough!
Scoop & Bake: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop balls of cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet, ensuring there’s enough space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and let the cookies bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until they’re golden brown around the edges.
Cool Down: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
Now that you’ve baked up a batch of these scrumptious cookies, let’s talk about how to enjoy them! They shine brightly on their own, but you can elevate the experience by serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Picture this: a warm cookie in one hand, an ice cream scoop in the other, melting joyfully together, yum!
For those cozy winter nights, pair these cookies with a steaming cup of hot chocolate, perhaps topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of more crushed peppermint for an extra festive flair. You could also plate them beautifully on a holiday-themed dish to impress guests at parties, it’s the perfect seasonal touch!
How to Store Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
Got leftover cookies? Here’s the best part, they keep beautifully! Store your Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them! Simply layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and they’ll last for up to three months. When you’re craving a treat, just take them out, let them thaw, and enjoy that fresh-baked goodness again.
Tips to Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here are some friendly tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time:
Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. This is key for achieving that perfect cookie texture.
Don’t Overmix: When combining your dry and wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we want soft and chewy!
Chill the Dough: For even thicker cookies, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading and keeps your cookies nice and tall.
Experiment with Add-Ins: Don’t be afraid to get creative! Add chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even a pinch of cinnamon for a different flavor twist.
Variations
While the Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies are fantastic as is, you could also try different flavor profiles! For instance, substitute the peppermint candies with crushed walnuts for a nutty crunch or use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a richer chocolate flavor. You could even swap out peppermint for orange zest for a seasonal citrus twist, deliciously refreshing!
FAQs
1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use margarine, but it may affect the flavor and texture of your cookies a bit. For best results, stick with unsalted butter if you can.
2. How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure to check that your other ingredients, like baking soda, are also gluten-free.
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage. When you’re ready to bake, just scoop and bake from chilled, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
There you have it, your ultimate guide to baking Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies! I hope you enjoy the process as much as the resulting treats. Happy baking, my friends!
Print
Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delightful cookies are packed with chocolate chips and a sprinkle of peppermint, perfect for embracing the cozy vibes of winter.
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 your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually add to the wet mixture, stirring until fully incorporated.
- Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies.
- Drop balls of cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet, ensuring space between each.
- Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream or alongside hot chocolate for a cozy treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg