Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies.
The only thing better than a classic chocolate chip cookie?

A Christmas version…with holiday M&Ms and a recipe from Sally’s Baking Addition! I am so exited about today’s Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe because well, chocolate chip cookies are the BEST! Plus, this recipe comes from the cookie queen herself, Sally of Sally’s Baking Addiction.
First off, can I just say that these cookies are possibly the best I’ve ever baked. I mean, they’re soft, doughy, chewy and really just cookie perfection with some festive holiday M&M’s in them. If there was every a cookie to bake this holiday season, it should probably be these! Oh, and did I mention just how easy they are? Because they’re simple as can be, and quite possibly the best part…you can keep the dough in the fridge for unexpected holiday guests. Then just grab the dough from the fridge, roll it up into balls, sneak a bite or two, bake…and you’ll have the best Christmas Chocolate Chip cookies in less than twenty minutes! Yes, please!
If by some crazy chance you guys are unfamiliar with Sally’s blog, I highly recommend you check her out immediately. In fact, seeing as it’s baking season, it couldn’t be more perfect timing. Sally has some of the best baked goods on the web.
I’m sharing this cookie recipe from her cookbook Sally’s Baking Addiction: Irresistible Cookies, Cupcakes & Desserts For Your Sweet-Tooth Fix because she has just re-released the book with eight brand new cookie recipes…and well, I kind of think you need this baking book in your kitchen at all times. Aside from the eight new cookie recipes, Sally’s cookbook is filled to the brim with chocolate cakes, brownies, muffins, granola, pies, and basically every baked good you would ever want in your kitchen. This cookbook is the perfect book (or maybe Christmas gift) for anyone who loves to bake. And what’s really awesome is that the recipes are all easy and approachable, making them perfect for everyone from beginning bakers to advanced!
Plus, there’s a whole chapter on cookies. Yes, one entire chapter on just COOKIES…thank you Sally! 🙂 She is currently working on her 3rd cookbook and well, it’s all about cookies!
OkOK, but let’s get into the details about these Christmas chocolate chip cookies. I want to point out that if you own Sally’s book these cookies are actually called Rainbow Chocolate Chip Cookies, but seeing as it’s Christmastime I just had to use the holiday M&M’s. They are one of my favorite Christmas candies, I just love their red and green colors. I leave a bowl on the counter in the kitchen all December long (ok and the mini holiday Reese’s too) for people to snack on. Hey, it’s Christmastime, sweets are simply a must!
Anyway, when I saw these cookies, I knew I had to make them. Sally’s secret ingredient is cornstarch, which sounds kinds of odd, but it makes the most perfectly soft, chewy and doughy cookie. I’m all about soft, doughy, non cakey cookies, so these are right up my alley. Sally uses melted butter and egg yolks, which also help these cookies to achieve their awesome texture.
These are great all around simple and delicious cookies. They’re perfect for gifting, last-minute guests or simply making and sharing with the family! I made two batches because I knew I had to share some with my brothers, especially my youngest brother Red who could probably live off of cookies, sweets and bread. He said they were amazing and then proceeded to eat four. Luckily he’s 16, weighs about 100 pounds, is growing like crazy and snowboards all day, so I don’t think he has to worry about any of those extra calories…for the rest of us? Ahh well, it’s Christmastime, anything goes, right.
Right!


Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies.
By Sally's Baking Addiction
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookies
Sally Says: I use this cookie dough base all the time and throw in everything from candy bars and nuts to dried fruits and even potato chips. Yes, potato chips! (page 113 of Sally's Cookbook) Reprinted with permission from Sally's Baking Addiction Irresistible Cookies, Cupcakes & Desserts for your Sweet-Tooth Fix by [Sally McKenney.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 250g
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter melted, 170g
- 3/4 light brown sugar 150g
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar 100g
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 semi-sweet chocolate chips 90g
- 1/2 cup Christmas M&Ms
Instructions
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Whisk the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
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In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until no sugar lumps remain. Whisk in the egg, then the egg egg yolk, followed by the vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together with a large spoon or rubber spatula. Fold in the chocolate chips and M&Ms. Cover the dough and chill for at least 2 hours (or up to 3 days).
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Take the dough out of the refrigerator and allow to soften slightly at room temperature for 10 minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
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Roll the dough into balls, about 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie. If the dough is crumbly, the warmth of your hands will help it come together in a ball. Roll the cookie dough balls to be taller rather than wide. Place 8 balls of dough 3 inches apart onto each cookie sheet.
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Bake each batch for 11-12 minutes. The cookies will look very soft and underbaked. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

Holiday cookies + milk = Tuesday perfection ??
Hello dear. I really very much enjoy your site. Thanks.
So happy you like it! Thanks!
These look delicious and perfect for Christmas! Thanks for sharing!
Agreed! The wife and I love Sally’s site and have made tons of her recipes. To die for. But haven’t seen this one. I wonder why the ads to the left of my screen are trying to sell me yellow and black lab t-shirts in the form of really big faces. Weird.
So happy you like them Rhian!! Thanks (:
I love easy cookie recipes! I’m crazy about Christmas, and I can’t wait to start baking and cooking. They look delicious!
Right? They’re the best!! Hope you have so much fun, thanks Vivian!
Teighan! Today I did this exact same thing! I got a recipe for chocolate chip cookies and I put the holiday mandms. BUT, my cookies always come out cakey. Seriously, no matter what I do. I think it could be because I never follow a recipe exactly to the letter. I used all coconut sugar and I didn’t do it in the right order (I just throw everything in) So I suppose one of these things is the reason. When I finish easting this last batch I’m going to try these. You can’t go wrong with Sally’s recipe, right?
Does the recipe call for 1/2 cup of each or 1/2 package?
It’s too early in the am to know for sure.
Great photographs – just wonderful. I’m not even hungry and they are sooooo
luscious looking.
Hey Sharron! It is 1/2 cup each chocolate chips and M&Ms. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love these! Thank you!
Okay Teighan — because I adore you and trust you completely and everything you make is AMAZING (cranberry Beef Bourguignon tonight!) I am going to put aside my go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe and make these bad boys! Your excitement is so contagious! Thank you and Sally for putting all that food love out there. Yum. xoxoxoxoxoo
Hi Betsy!! Oh my gosh!! Thank you so so much!! Your too nice! I hope you have fun and they were delicious! (:
These really look like the kind of cookie I like to make. I hate a flat crunchy cookie if it is supposed to be thick and chewy. I have had lots of recipes turn out spreading thin that looked like a thick recipe in the picture. I hate that.
Ah thats the worst!! Hopefully these don’t disappoint!!
Oh yeah, I’m so super excited to try these, Tieghan! Lol, I bet Santa would love them too!
I hope soo!! Hope you love them too!! Thanks Tori!
I just asked my husband if I should make these, and he said, “I better see these cookies on the counter by this afternoon.” Ha! I’ve never made cookies with cornstarch, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this secret ingredient will make them taste like those delicious store-bought cookies! Thanks for sharing – my husband and I can’t wait to try!
Haha too funny!! I hope you two love them!! Thanks so much Brooke!
Love this because it has all the Christmas colors in it 🙂 x Kati
They’re my favorite!! Thanks Kati!
These look sooo delicious!! I definitely want to make them for my team and give them out at work right before the holidays. Thanks for sharing!
Yes!! That would be so fun!! Thanks Sahra!
These photos are STUNNING! And the cookies are just what I need for Santa’s cookie plate. Thanks for the recipe!
MAK
Yes!! Santas going to be a happy guy!! Thanks Margaret!!
Oh my gosh. I NEED these cookies in my life. Chocolate chip cookies are my weakness, how did you know!?
Cause they’re my weakness too!! Haha! Thanks Sarah!
You can’t beat a cookie, especially a cookie that looks as festive and delicious as these 🙂 I will have to give these a go!
Rachael xx.
theteacozykitchen.blogspot.co.uk
Yay! Hope you love them Rachael!! Thanks!!
Yum! I love M&M cookies!
Ah so good (: Hope you love them Kari!
I can’t wait to try this!
Yay! Hope you love it Sara!!
Yum!!! Love the mms in cookie. These are so festive and beautiful. Can’t wait to try it out.
Yes!! I love the colors!! Hope you love them Asha!! Thank you!
These cookies from Sally’s Baking Addiction changed. my. life. Seriously. I am SUCH a sucker for soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies and tried out a million recipes before finding this one a couple years ago. And I’ve never used another recipe since! Love the Christmas twist 🙂
Ah hers are so delicious!! Nothing beats a soft cookie!!
Couldn’t be happier you like mine (: Thanks Christine!!
These look fantastic. Any recommendations for baking them at altitude (7500 feet)?
Hey Lisa, I am at over 9,00 feet and had zero issues with these cookies. Just be sure you do not over bake them and if anything always underbake. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love the cookies!
NAILED IT! Your cookies are absolutely perfect. And can I be like Red? I’m terrible at snowboarding but want to live off of cookies and bread too.
LOL!! Oh my gosh!! Same if I could live off them I totally would!!
I just made these and they are THE.BEST.COOKIE.EVER. Soft and chewy and fluffy and perfect!!!! My new go to cookie recipe. Actually I never had a go to recipe in the first place but now I do, lol yay! Thanks!!
Wow!! YAY! So happy you like them Sarah!! Lol! Thanks so much!
These. Look. Devine! Totally drooling right now and adding to my list to bake for Christmas!
Yay! Thanks so much! Hope you love it!
Yes please, I so need these cookies in my life! Love the Christmas M&M’s!
They make the cookies so festive! I love it!!
These are so good! The perfect cookie for me, soft and chewy, perfect cookie for milk, yum yum yum. 😀
Yes! I hope you love these, Kate! Thank you!
Hi.I really love your cooking
Thank you so much
Thank you (:
I’ve tried these several times and they go flat every time. Can you tell me what I might be doing wrong?
Hi Katherine, I am so sorry for the trouble. it is really hard to say what is going wrong, without knowing how you are making them. can you give me a little more info. Are you refrigerating the dough?
I refrigerated for several hours, but think that I’ll try again tomorrow and leave the dough in the refrigerator overnight. Also, I wonder if maybe I didn’t allow the butter to cool completely. Think that could limit the soft, chewy rise?!
Let me know how it went! Hope you love them this time around! 🙂
Just made these and seriously, these are the best cookies I’ve ever made. Soooo good! By the way, I’m a huge fan from Germany:) you’re even famous across the pond 😉
WOW!! So happy you liked them Christina! So cool (:
Made these again & success this time! I allowed the butter to cool completely and refrigerated for 24 hours.
Thank you for the recipe!
Katherine
So happy it worked well this time! Thanks Katherine!
Thanks for the suggestion – I’ll have to try letting the butter cool completely. I made the dough for these yesterday and refrigerated them overnight, but they baked flat this morning. The bottoms cooked well, but the tops were still doughlike after 11-12 minutes. I’ll have to try again tonight! 🙂
Hey! I live in the UK, where corn starch is not available. Could I use corn flour as a substitute? Really dying to make these so hopefully I can….? Thanks!
Hi!I would just use regular all-purpose flour. I think that will be great! Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love this recipe!
Ugh… i tried these over the weekend and they did not bake up nice and puffy like your pictures :(. I think I just have a cookie curse.
HI! Try omitting the cornstarch. Some people have found that to be the issue. Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
Hey, Tieghan! I made the dough for these cookies last night and baked them this morning and they turned out flat. I’ve been trying to troubleshoot to make them again this evening in hopes of achieving these fluffy and delicious cookies. I admit that I didn’t let the butter cool before mixing it with the sugar, so I’ll be sure to do that this evening. However, I also measured ingredients based on the weights that you provided and I noticed that most resources say that 2.25 cups of flour should be 288g, not 250g. Apparently 38g of flour is roughly 1/3 of a cup that I may have inadvertently omitted. I’m wondering if this could have also been an issue?
Hi Morgan! Sorry for the trouble. I would try measuring the ingredients out in cups if possible. This might help be more accurate to the cookie recipe. Also, some people have found the cornstarch to yield a flat cookie, so you could try omitting that too. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
Hello!
Writing to you from Ukraine)
Trying receipts for my Christmas box. Made these obese but want them to be not that thin. I had more temperature (180*C) , next time will try even less.
May be I should try also add less butter or more flour? Also like soft inside but edges crispy too much (I took half of them from the ovenearlier but even ah noir later they’re seemed unbacked, so crispy edges is unreal to avoid)?
Thank you very much in Advance!
Hey Julia, I would increase the flour by 1/4 cup and see if they results in the puffier cookie for you. Please let me know if you have other questions. Glad you love this recipe! thanks so much! xTieghan
Hi Teighan! I love your site and am really looking forward to making these cookies for my fam on Christmas Eve! Quick question – did you use unsalted butter? Thanks!
Hi Laura! Yes, this recipe uses unsalted butter. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Holidays!! xTieghan ?
1/2 what of M and Ms and chocolate chips? I am confused. Thank you!
Hi Alison! It is a 1/2 cup. Sorry about that. I hope you love these!
HI! You need 1/2 cup M&M’s. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Holidays!! xTieghan ?
Do you have a preferred gluten free flour to use?
Hi! I actually do not because I never really bake with it! I apologize for that.. I think many people have had great results using King Arthur Gluten Free Flour!
Could I use half salted butter and omit the salt?
HI! Yes, that will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
I’ve baked cookies before, but the cornstarch really had me puzzled lol…..however, I’m going to give it a try after seeing the reviews and reading that it’s that secret ingredient to making them perfectly chewy….I’m doing this one to send to our son’s counselor, teacher, and my sons little friend girl….and her sister. I’m also taking some to the nursing home to my auntie who loved to baked from scratch….shell be my judge on these. Thank You….can’t wait to taste!!
Thank you so much Cassandra! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Hi!! These look amazing!! Do you if these freeze ok? I bake a bunch of different cookies for the holidays, freeze them and ship them to family and friends.
Hey Kate,
Yes, these are fine to freeze. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other question. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
when baking Christmas cookies with m&M’s and chocolate chips, can I bake them right away and skip refrigeration for two hours.
Hey Elizabeth,
I would recommend following the instructions as is:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I followed the directions and the cookies appeared to be way too underbaked after cooking for 12 minutes. Maybe I’m just being paranoid that they will be too underbaked when they actually are perfect? I’m currently baking each batch at about 14 minutes. How do I know when it’s too underbaked even though the recipe says 12 minutes is fine? They are very tasty cookies!!!! Great recipe 🙂
Hey Shea,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, these should be finished baking at 12 minutes. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan