A soft, chewy Christmas cookie loaded with melty chocolate chips, colorful M&M’s, and festive peppermint patties—each bite tastes like pure holiday magic.
Nothing says holiday cheer like a warm batch of Christmas cookies fresh from the oven. These holiday spirit cookies are packed with melty chocolate chips, colorful M&M’s, and soft peppermint patties that add just the right touch of festive flavor. They’re chewy, sweet, and full of Christmas magic—perfect for cookie swaps, family gatherings, or sharing with friends you love. One bite, and it’s instant holiday joy.
Why You’ll Love These Holiday Spirit Christmas Cookies:
These cookies are everything we love about the holidays baked into one sweet treat. They’re soft and chewy, loaded with chocolate chips, and sprinkled with colorful M&M’s that instantly feel festive. The peppermint patties melt into little pockets of minty goodness, adding just the right holiday twist without overpowering the classic cookie flavor. Every bite feels comforting, nostalgic, and just a little bit magical.
They’re also the kind of cookies that are made to be shared. Whether you’re baking with family, putting together cookie tins for friends, or just treating yourself after a long winter day, these cookies fit right in. They come together easily, look beautiful on any holiday table, and somehow make the season feel a little warmer and sweeter—exactly what holiday baking should be about.
these cookies don’t have to be perfect to be special. Some come out extra thick, some a little crinkled, and the peppermint melts differently every time—but that’s part of the charm. They feel homemade in the best way, like the kind of treat you’d grab off a plate at a family gathering or sneak one more of before bed because they’re just that good.
And that’s what I hope these cookies bring to you, too. Whether you’re baking them for a party, wrapping them up as gifts, or making a batch just because you need a little holiday comfort, they’re meant to be enjoyed and shared. Pull up a chair, pour yourself something warm, and make these cookies part of your own holiday tradition—you might just find yourself coming back to them every Christmas.
What Ingredients Do You Need?
You’ll need a handful of classic baking staples plus a few festive mix-ins to make these holiday spirit Christmas cookies. Nothing fancy—just simple ingredients that come together for the perfect balance of cozy, chocolatey, and pepperminty goodness:
- Butter (either salted or unsalted – whichever you prefer!)
- White granulated sugar
- Dark brown sugar
- Large eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Baking soda
- Salt
- All-purpose flour
- Chocolate chips (your favorite kind!)
- M&Ms
- Soft peppermints
Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Holiday Spirit Christmas Cookies
- Let the melted butter cool slightly first. You want it warm, not hot, so it doesn’t cook the eggs or make the dough greasy.
- Don’t overmix the dough. Once the flour goes in, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough instead of soft and chewy.
- Use dark brown sugar for extra softness. It adds moisture and a deeper flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate and peppermint.
- Save some mix-ins for the top. Press a few extra chocolate chips, M&M’s, and peppermint pieces into the dough balls before baking for that bakery-style look.
- Be gentle with the peppermints. Fold them in last so they stay soft and don’t completely melt into the dough.
- Chill the dough if it feels too soft. Even 20–30 minutes in the fridge can help prevent spreading and keep the cookies thick.
- Bake just until the centers look set. The cookies will continue to cook as they cool, so slightly underbaking keeps them soft and chewy.
- Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes. This helps them firm up enough to move without breaking while staying tender inside.
- Enjoy them fresh—or store them properly. Keep cookies in an airtight container to maintain that soft, bakery-style texture for days.
Holiday Spirit Christmas Cookie Recipe
- 8 tablespoons melted butter
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 a cup brown sugar
- One large egg, and one egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon of salt
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 a cup of chocolate chips
- 1/2 a cup of M&Ms
- 1/2 a cup of crushed soft peppermints (plus extra to sprinkle on top)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven & melt the butter and mix with sugars
Melt the butter until at least half of it is liquid. This gives your cookies a slightly chewier texture and rich flavor. Once melted, add the white and brown sugars and stir vigorously until completely combined. The brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor, while the white sugar helps with sweetness and a bit of crispness around the edges.
Step 2: Add eggs and vanilla
Add in the whole egg, extra egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Stir just until everything is combined. This helps bind the dough and gives your cookies structure. Be careful not to overmix here—overworking the dough can make the cookies dense and tough instead of soft and tender.
Step 3: Incorporate dry ingredients
Toss in the baking soda and salt, then sift in the all-purpose flour. Folding the flour gently ensures the cookies stay light and fluffy. Sifting helps remove any lumps and makes mixing easier, giving a smoother dough. Stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears into the dough.
Step 4: Add the chocolate chips, M&Ms, and peppermint pieces
Now comes the fun part! Stir in all your festive goodies, making sure they’re evenly distributed. Chocolate chips bring melty pockets of sweetness, M&Ms add color and crunch, and soft peppermint pieces give that signature holiday flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Chill the dough (optional but recommended)
If your dough feels very soft or sticky, chill it in the fridge for 15–30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape better while baking, prevents excessive spreading, and intensifies the flavors.
Step 6: Scoop and shape the cookies
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop dough onto a lined baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between cookies, as they will spread slightly during baking. For perfectly round cookies, you can gently roll the dough balls with your hands before placing them on the sheet.
Step 7: Bake to perfection
Bake for 12–15 minutes at 350°F (175°C) if large (10-12 if on the smaller side), or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft. Don’t worry if they seem slightly underbaked in the middle—they will continue to set as they cool, keeping them chewy and soft.
Step 8: Cool and enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up slightly while staying soft inside. Once cooled, these festive cookies are ready to share with friends and family—or sneak a few for yourself!
Holiday Spirit Christmas Cookies: FAQs
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: Yes! Either works perfectly. If you use salted butter, you can reduce or skip adding extra salt, depending on your taste.
Q: Do I have to use both eggs and egg yolks?
A: Using both gives the cookies extra richness and a softer, chewier texture. You can substitute with just whole eggs, but the texture might be slightly different.
Q: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can make the dough, shape it into balls, and freeze them for up to 3 months. Bake straight from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Q: Can I swap the chocolate chips or M&Ms?
A: Totally! Feel free to use white chocolate, peanut butter chips, or your favorite candy pieces. You can even mix in nuts if you like extra crunch.
Q: My cookies spread too much. What went wrong?
A: This usually happens if the dough is too warm or if too much butter is used. Chilling the dough for 15–30 minutes before baking helps prevent excessive spreading.
Q: How do I keep the cookies soft and chewy?
A: Don’t overmix the dough, use a combination of brown and white sugar, and avoid overbaking. Let them rest a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack—they’ll stay soft and chewy.
Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.
Q: Can I add extra peppermint flavor?
A: Definitely! A few drops of peppermint extract can enhance the flavor, but be careful—it’s strong, so start with just a little.
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