There’s something magical about baking on a winter morning when snowflakes dance outside your window and the scent of vanilla and brown sugar fills the kitchen. That’s where my Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies were born — a soft, chewy cookie that captures the cozy joy of the season.
Back when I was running my home bakery, Sweet Magnolia, I’d make trays of these sparkly cookies for my winter markets. They’d disappear before I even had time to wrap them up. Picture this: golden-brown edges, melty chocolate pockets, and a dusting of sparkling sugar like fresh snow. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, baking gifts for friends, or stocking your winter bake sale, these cookies are guaranteed to bring cheer.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are not just a treat — they’re an experience. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with them:
- Soft and chewy centers with crisp, buttery edges.
- Festive sparkle from white sanding sugar that glistens like snow.
- Classic chocolate flavor elevated with a hint of peppermint extract.
- Easy to make ahead — perfect for gift boxes or cookie swaps.
- Versatile for the season — decorate with icing, drizzle with white chocolate, or shape into snowflakes.
If you adore cozy winter baking, you might also love my other favorites — Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies and Easy S’mores Cookies.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup white chocolate chunks
- 3 tablespoons white sanding sugar (for decoration)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add egg, yolk, vanilla, and peppermint extract.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate: Stir in chocolate chips and white chocolate chunks.
- Shape and chill: Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon portions. Chill for 20 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Bake: Place cookies 2 inches apart and bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden.
- Decorate: While warm, sprinkle sanding sugar on top for that snowy sparkle.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
How to Serve Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
There’s no wrong way to serve these beauties, but I love them fresh and warm with a mug of peppermint mocha or spiced chai. The soft centers melt in your mouth, and that glittering sugar adds a festive crunch.
For a holiday dessert platter, pair them with other treats like Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies and peppermint bark squares. Arrange them on a white or silver tray for a true “Winter Wonderland” presentation.
These cookies also make excellent edible gifts. Stack a few in a cellophane bag, tie them with a satin ribbon, and add a handwritten tag. It’s the kind of simple, thoughtful present everyone adores during the holidays.
If you’re planning a winter bake sale, these cookies are a crowd magnet. Their sparkle catches the eye, and their taste seals the deal. Add a small sign that says “Homemade Winter Wonderland Cookies – Baked with Love” and watch them vanish from your table.
How to Store Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
To keep your cookies soft and fresh:
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight tin or cookie jar for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to preserve the sugar sparkle.
- Freezing: These freeze beautifully! Arrange baked cookies in a single layer on a tray, freeze for an hour, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for 2–3 months.
- Freezing Dough: Scoop and freeze the dough balls on a tray. When ready to bake, pop them straight into the oven and add 2 extra minutes to the bake time.
When you’re craving a little winter comfort, simply warm a few cookies in the microwave for 10 seconds. The aroma alone is enough to melt away a frosty day.
Tips to Make Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies (≈300 words)
- Use melted butter for a chewy texture and caramelized flavor.
- Chill your dough — this step prevents spreading and enhances flavor.
- Use both chocolate chips and chunks for that bakery-style gooeyness.
- Add a pinch of sea salt on top before baking to balance the sweetness.
- Don’t overbake! Cookies continue to set on the sheet after baking.
- Experiment with extracts: Try almond or orange extract for a twist.
- Make them festive: Drizzle white chocolate or add snowflake sprinkles.
For another cookie with a tropical twist, check out my Pineapple Upside Sugar Cookies Recipe — they’re sunshine in cookie form!
Variations of Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Mint Chocolate Wonderland: Add crushed peppermint candies to the dough.
- Snow-Capped Sandwiches: Spread marshmallow fluff between two cookies.
- Nutty Bliss: Fold in chopped pecans or macadamias.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Dark Chocolate Dream: Use 70% dark chocolate chunks and skip white chips.
- Frosted Magic: Add a swirl of white icing for a snow-glazed effect.
- Mini Bites: Make bite-size versions for holiday party trays.
No matter which variation you choose, these cookies will fill your kitchen with warmth and your heart with holiday joy.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Store the dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Can I skip the peppermint extract?
Absolutely. The recipe is delicious without it, but it adds a fresh holiday note.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough and using parchment paper help cookies hold their shape.
What kind of sugar gives the best sparkle?
Use white sanding or decorating sugar—it holds its shine after baking.
Final Thoughts
There’s something special about sharing homemade cookies during the holidays. These Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies bring that nostalgia and joy to every bite — soft, sparkly, and full of love.
Whether they’re cooling on your counter or wrapped as gifts, they’ll fill your home with warmth and sweet memories. So go ahead — bake, share, and celebrate your own winter wonderland.
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Print
Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, chewy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies with festive sugar sparkle and rich chocolate flavor. Perfect for winter baking or gifting.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup white chocolate chunks
- 3 tablespoons white sanding sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.
3. Mix butter, sugars, egg, and extracts until smooth.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients just until mixed.
5. Fold in chocolates and chill dough for 20 minutes.
6. Scoop onto baking sheet and bake 10–12 minutes.
7. Sprinkle sanding sugar on top and cool on rack.
Notes
Use melted butter for chewy cookies.
Chilling dough prevents spreading.
Add peppermint or orange extract for holiday flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 135mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg