Easy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Best Festive Treat for the Season

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies bring together everything you love about traditional chocolate chip cookies with a magical winter spin. They’re buttery, chewy in the center, and crisp at the edges, with festive mix-ins that make them sparkle—literally. The dough comes together quickly, requires no chill time, and bakes evenly every time. Whether you decorate them with snowy sprinkles, flaky sea salt, or a drizzle of white chocolate, these cookies capture the spirit of winter in every delicious bite.

Print

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-Purpose Flour: Provides the perfect structure—soft yet sturdy enough to hold the chocolate chips and mix-ins.

Baking Soda: Gives the cookies just the right amount of lift and chewiness.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances every flavor.

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter creates that classic chewy texture and rich, buttery taste.

Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, depth, and that irresistible caramel note to the cookies.

Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar for perfect sweetness and golden color.

Eggs: Bind the dough together and help achieve a soft, chewy texture.

Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and complements the chocolate beautifully.

Chocolate Chips: A mix of semi-sweet and white chocolate chips gives the cookies contrast and indulgent flavor.

White Chocolate Chunks or Melts (optional): For an extra creamy, snowy touch that makes the cookies visually stunning.

Peppermint Extract (optional): Adds a cool, wintery note—use sparingly for a subtle flavor.

Festive Sprinkles or Sparkling Sugar: To create that “Winter Wonderland” look, adding sparkle and crunch.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugars. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 2 minutes.
4. Add wet ingredients. Mix in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract (and peppermint extract if using).
5. Combine. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Add chocolate. Stir in the chocolate chips and white chocolate chunks.
7. Shape and decorate. Scoop the dough onto prepared baking sheets using a tablespoon or cookie scoop. Press a few extra chocolate chips and a sprinkle of sparkling sugar on top of each cookie.
8. Bake. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers are soft.
9. Cool. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
10. Decorate (optional). Drizzle with melted white chocolate and add festive sprinkles for extra winter magic.

Essential Equipment

Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
• large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
• Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
• Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
• Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
• 9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
• knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
• Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 24 cookies. Preparation takes 15 minutes, baking takes 10–12 minutes, and cooling time adds another 10 minutes, for a total of 35 minutes.

Storage/reheating

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake them straight from frozen—just add an extra 2 minutes to the baking time.

Variations and Customizations

Peppermint Wonderland Cookies
Stir in crushed candy canes or peppermint bark for a festive crunch.

Double Chocolate Snow Cookies
Use cocoa powder in the dough and white chocolate chips for a rich, brownie-like twist.

Nutty Holiday Blend
Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a toasty, buttery flavor.

Gingerbread Spice Version
Mix in ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon ground ginger for cozy, spiced undertones.

Salted Caramel Drizzle
Top baked cookies with a drizzle of caramel and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Coconut Snow Cookies
Sprinkle shredded coconut on top before baking for a snowy appearance.

Espresso Infusion
Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dough for mocha-flavored cookies.

Cranberry White Chocolate Delight
Replace half the chocolate chips with dried cranberries for tart, festive contrast.

Gluten-Free Version
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for perfectly chewy, gluten-free cookies.

Mini Snowflake Cookies
Make bite-sized cookies and decorate with a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy finish.

FAQs

1. Can I chill the dough before baking?

Yes, chilling for 30 minutes enhances the flavor and helps prevent spreading.

2. Can I skip the peppermint extract?

Of course! Vanilla alone makes the cookies warm and classic.

3. How do I make them extra chewy?

Use more brown sugar than white sugar and don’t overbake.

4. Can I make them crispier?

Bake a minute or two longer and cool fully on the pan.

5. Can I use white chocolate only?

Yes, they’ll be beautifully “snowy” and perfectly sweet.

6. Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, freeze dough balls on a tray, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months.

7. What makes these “Winter Wonderland” cookies?

The combination of white chocolate, sparkly sugar, and festive toppings gives them a snowy, wintry look.

8. Can I add food coloring?

Yes—blue or white shimmer gels make a fun, frosty appearance.

9. Can I use dark chocolate instead?

Absolutely! Dark chocolate balances the sweetness and adds richness.

10. How do I prevent cookies from flattening?

Use room-temperature butter (not melted) and don’t overmix the dough.

Conclusion

These Easy Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything a winter treat should be—soft, sweet, festive, and full of holiday cheer. With their chewy centers, sparkling tops, and rich chocolate flavor, they’re perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, or simply enjoying with a hot drink. They look as good as they taste and bring a little magic to any cold day. One batch, and your kitchen will smell like pure Christmas joy.

Looking for more tasty recipes? Visit our website for full details and follow us on Pinterest for daily food ideas to save and share