Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies (Soft & Chewy Recipe)

Name: Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 large egg yolk; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 cup white chocolate chips; 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks; 1/3 cup festive red and green sprinkles

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These Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies feature a soft, bakery-style base loaded with white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, and festive sprinkles for a magical snowy look that melts in your mouth.

Welcome to my kitchen! If you’ve been searching for that one holiday recipe that stops everyone in their tracks at the cookie swap, you’ve found it. These aren’t just your average sweets; they’re thick, tender, and packed with a “snowy” mix of creamy white chocolate and rich dark chocolate that makes them impossible to resist. Trust me, this is the only recipe you’ll need to create a little edible magic this season.

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Key Takeaways

No-Fuss Dough: You don’t need a fancy mixer or hours of chilling time to get these right.
Bakery Texture: We use a little cornstarch to keep them soft and thick, way better than store-bought.
Customizable: Swap the sprinkles for any holiday color, or add nuts for crunch.
Perfect for Gifting: They hold their shape beautifully in tins or treat bags.
A Twist on a Classic: If you love my classic chocolate chip cookies, you’re going to flip for this festive version.

Why You’ll Love This Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Texture Heaven: Imagine a slightly crisp edge that gives way to a soft, almost fudgy center. It’s pure bliss.
Visual Stunner: The white chocolate and pastel sprinkles really do look like a snowy winter morning.
Kid-Approved: My kids ask for these every single year because they’re fun, colorful, and sweet.
Freezer Friendly: You can make the dough ahead of time and bake fresh whenever guests drop by.
Balanced Sweetness: The dark chocolate chunks cut through the sugar so it’s not overwhelmingly sweet.
Wholesome Boost: We use dark chocolate, which is a great source of antioxidants (hey, we take our wins where we can get them, right?).
Thick & Chewy: If you’re a fan of those massive, thick Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies, you’ll appreciate the substantial bite of these.

Food or Cultural Background

I still remember the first time I decided to “winterize” my cookie game. I was staring out the window at a fresh blanket of snow, baking alongside a loaf of my easy moist pumpkin bread, and I realized I wanted a cookie that looked exactly like the landscape outside.

There’s something so nostalgic about holiday baking, isn’t there? It reminds me of those cozy afternoons spent in the kitchen with my mom, flour dusting every surface (and usually my nose). Over the years, “Winter Wonderland” cookies have popped up in various forms—sometimes as simple crinkles, other times as snowball cookies—but I wanted to stick to the comfort of a chocolate chip base.

It’s an American classic dressed up in its Sunday best. Plus, with celebrities like Taylor Swift and Michelle Obama making headlines with their own holiday bakes, it feels like the whole world is rediscovering the joy of a homemade cookie jar.

Ingredients for Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredient	Notes/Substitutes
All-Purpose Flour	The foundation. Measure by spooning and leveling so they don’t get tough.
Cornstarch	The secret weapon for softness. Don’t skip this!
Butter	Use unsalted so you can control the salt level. Make sure it’s softened, not melted.
Brown Sugar	Provides moisture and chewiness. Light or dark both work well.
Granulated Sugar	Helps give those edges a tiny bit of crispness.
Egg + Yolk	The extra yolk adds richness and tenderness.
Vanilla Extract	Use pure vanilla for the best flavor.
White Chocolate Chips	Essential for the “snowy” look. High quality melts better.
Dark Chocolate Chunks	I prefer semi-sweet or dark to balance the sweet white chips.
Holiday Sprinkles	Jimmies or confetti style work best; nonpareils can bleed color.

Note: Quality chocolate makes a huge difference here, just like it does in my rich chocolate cherry cream pie.

Equipment Needed

Large Mixing Bowl: Or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
Baking Sheets: Lined with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Cookie Scoop: A medium (2-tablespoon) scoop ensures even baking.
Wire Rack: For cooling the cookies completely.
Hand Mixer: If you don’t have a stand mixer, this works perfectly.

How to Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies Step-by-Step

Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper so nothing sticks.
Cream the Butter: In your large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for about 2–3 minutes. You want it light, fluffy, and pale in color.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix just until combined—overmixing now can lead to tough cookies later!
Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
Combine: Slowly add the dry mix into the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just a few streaks of flour remain. (Try not to eat the dough, though if you’re craving that, make my high protein cookie dough oats instead!).
Fold in the Magic: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, and your festive sprinkles with a spatula.
Scoop and Roll: Scoop out balls of dough (about 2 tablespoons each). For extra height, roll them gently into taller cylinders rather than perfect spheres.
Bake: Place them on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9–11 minutes. The edges should be barely golden, but the centers will still look soft. They will firm up as they cool!

Expert Tips for the Best Results

Measure Flour Correctly: I can’t stress this enough! Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off. Scooping directly packs it down and leads to dry, hard cookies.
Chill if Needed: If your kitchen is hot or the dough feels sticky, pop the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes. It helps flavors meld and prevents spreading.
Undercook Slightly: Take them out when they look slightly underdone in the middle. They continue cooking on the hot baking sheet for a few minutes. This is the key to that chewy texture.
Make it Pretty: Save a few chocolate chips and sprinkles to press gently onto the tops of the cookies right when they come out of the oven. It gives them that professional bakery finish.
Balance the Sweet: A tiny pinch of sea salt on top can really elevate the flavors, similar to how I balance my salted caramel cake.

What to Serve With Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hot Cocoa: The ultimate winter pairing. Add a candy cane stirrer for extra flair.
Ice Cold Milk: You can’t beat the classic dunk.
Holiday Dessert Board: Arrange these alongside other treats for a party platter.
Coffee: A strong cup of coffee balances the sweetness perfectly.
More Treats: If you’re building a full spread, these go beautifully with apple cider whoopie pies for a true seasonal celebration.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Room Temperature: Store these in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days. Add a slice of white bread to the container to keep them incredibly soft.
Freezing: You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter before eating.
Freezing Dough: Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	195 kcal
Total Fat	10g
Saturated Fat	6g
Cholesterol	35mg
Sodium	110mg
Total Carbohydrates	26g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Sugars	18g
Protein	2g

What are Taylor Swift’s famous cookies called?

They are known as Chai Sugar Cookies. Taylor made them viral by adding a packet of chai tea spices to a sugar cookie dough and topping them with an eggnog glaze. You can easily give this recipe a “Swiftie” twist by adding a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg!

What is Michelle Obama’s favorite cookie?

Michelle Obama’s signature treat is her White and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie. She famously includes walnuts and mint chips in her recipe. If you want that First Lady flair, try swapping half the white chocolate chips in this recipe for mint chips!

What are the 5 ingredient magic cookies?

Also known as Magic Cookie Bars or Seven Layer Bars, these are a different holiday favorite. They typically use a graham cracker crust, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts layered in a pan. They are quicker to assemble but have a totally different texture than these soft cookies.

Where do Starbucks get their cookies from?

Starbucks cookies usually come from large bakery suppliers like Aspire Bakeries (formerly Otis Spunkmeyer). They arrive at stores as frozen dough pucks and are baked fresh daily. Our recipe mimics that thick, chewy texture so you can skip the drive-thru line!

Final Thoughts

I really hope these Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies bring a little extra sparkle to your holiday season. They are honestly pure joy in cookie form. I can’t wait to see your photos—tag me on social so I can share them! And hey, after you’ve indulged in all this sugar, maybe balance it out with a cozy dinner like my easy baked spaghetti. Happy baking, friends!

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