I was on a mission to create the ultimate Christmas cookie—one that looked as festive as it tasted, with a perfect chewy center and crisp edges. After several batches, I landed on this combination: a classic chewy chocolate chip cookie base, studded with red and green M&Ms and creamy white chocolate chips. The moment these came out of my oven, my kitchen smelled like a holiday bakery: buttery, sweet, and filled with the promise of chocolate. That first bite, with its soft center, bursts of candy shell, and sweet white chocolate, was pure magic. They’re now the cookie my family insists on leaving out for Santa, and I have to agree—they’re impossible to resist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You will love this recipe because it takes the familiar comfort of a perfect chocolate chip cookie and dresses it up in its holiday best. The dough is forgiving, the result is consistently delightful, and the festive colors make them an instant hit on any cookie platter. They’re the cookie that both kids and adults reach for first, offering the perfect balance of nostalgia, chewiness, and Christmas cheer in every single bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (secret ingredient alert!)
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (trust me, don’t skip this)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (170g) red and green Christmas M&Ms (plus extra for tops)
- 1 cup (170g) white chocolate chips
Let’s talk ingredients. The combination of baking soda, baking powder, and cornstarch is my secret for the ideal texture—soft and chewy with a slight lift. The cornstarch is the real hero; it gives that bakery-style softness. The almond extract is my personal trick; it doesn’t taste like almonds but adds a warm, complex depth that makes the vanilla sing and makes these cookies taste “special.” For the M&Ms, using the full-size ones meant for baking (not minis) gives the best color and candy crunch.(See the next page below to continue…)