Christmas Cookie Recipe with Mix-Ins Recipe

If you’re looking for a holiday treat that truly has it all, I can’t recommend this Christmas Cookie Recipe with Mix-Ins Recipe enough. It’s everything I love about festive baking—chewy, colorful, and packed with a little bit of everything in every bite. Trust me, once you try this, your cookie platter will be the star of the season. Stick with me here, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to get that perfect batch every time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses classic cookie ingredients along with festive and savory mix-ins that make each bite exciting. When shopping, look for quality mix-ins like real salted pretzels and fresh potato chips to keep that perfect contrast of flavors.

• Salted butter: Use softened real butter, not margarine, for the richest flavor and best texture.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and depth with its mild molasses notes.
• Granulated white sugar: Helps give the cookies a tender crisp edge.
• Egg yolks: Using yolks instead of whole eggs keeps the cookies dense and rich.
• Vanilla bean paste or extract: The vanilla bean paste adds pretty specks and a more robust flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Make sure to measure correctly to avoid dry cookies (more on that below).
• Baking powder: Helps with lightness and rise.
• Baking soda: Assists in spreading and browning.
• Salt: Balances all the sweetness and enhances flavors.
• Red and green M&M’s: Adds colorful, melty chocolate pieces perfect for Christmas.
• White chocolate chips: Their sweetness complements the saltier mix-ins beautifully.
• Pretzel pieces: Brings a crunchy, salty surprise into the mix.
• Potato chip pieces: Don’t skip these — they take these cookies to a whole new delightful savory level.
• Red and green jimmies: For that final festive sprinkle on top!

Variations

I love making this Christmas Cookie Recipe with Mix-Ins Recipe my own by swapping out mix-ins based on what I have on hand or what everyone’s craving that year. Feel free to experiment with different candies and snacks to create your perfect holiday cookie.

• Nut lover’s twist: I once added chopped roasted pecans and walnuts along with butterscotch chips—my family went crazy for the nutty crunch!
• Gluten-free version: Substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend, and cook just a minute less to keep them soft and perfect.
• Spiced-up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg gives these cookies a warm holiday hug in every bite.
• Vegan adaptation: Try using a vegan butter and flax egg; I was surprised by how well they turned out.

How to Make Christmas Cookie Recipe with Mix-Ins Recipe

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper—trust me, this makes cleanup a breeze. In a large bowl, cream together the softened salted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer for about two minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. The fluffy step is key here for that soft cookie texture, so don’t rush it.

Step 2: Add egg yolks and vanilla

Next, add in two room temperature egg yolks and your vanilla bean paste or extract. Mixing on medium speed for another two minutes helps the batter turn pale and airy, which creates that melt-in-your-mouth quality I love so much.

Step 3: Combine dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then, mix these dry ingredients into your wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here; you want everything incorporated without developing too much gluten, or the cookies will be tougher.

Step 4: Fold in all the mix-ins

Now for the fun part — fold in the red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and red and green jimmies using a spatula. I like to fold gently to keep those mix-ins intact and well distributed. Resist the urge to add too much extra mix-in on top, but a few sprinkles here and there do make the cookies look extra festive!

Step 5: Bake and shape

Scoop the dough into 20 balls, spacing them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Optional, but I highly recommend it: right after baking (about 10-12 minutes—10 for chewy, 12 for edges), use a large circular cookie cutter to gently swirl around each cookie to create a perfect circle. It’s a trick I discovered one year when I wanted to impress guests, and it really elevates the presentation!

Step 6: Cooling and storing

Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes—this helps them firm up so they don’t fall apart—then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store leftovers in an airtight container, where they’ll stay fresh for up to three days if you can manage that long!

How to Serve Christmas Cookie Recipe with Mix-Ins Recipe

Garnishes

I usually add a handful of extra M&M’s and festive jimmies on top before baking because they give the cookies that extra holiday sparkle. Plus, it’s an easy way to brighten up your cookie tray and entice those first bites!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with classic eggnog or a rich hot chocolate, especially if you’re sharing them at a holiday gathering. If you’re hosting a cookie exchange, a simple platter with some fresh fruit or nuts complements their sweet-savory goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite holiday tricks is to stack these cookies on a tiered cake stand lined with festive napkins. Wrapping a few up in clear cellophane tied with a pretty ribbon makes for a charming homemade gift, and everyone always asks for the recipe!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store my leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft. If you notice they start to dry out after a day or two, a slice of bread added inside the container helps maintain moisture — it’s a little trick that really works!

Freezing

If I want to bake ahead, I freeze the cookie dough balls on a sheet tray first, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw slightly and bake as usual. The cookies come out just as delicious and fresh as if you made them that day.

Reheating

I reheat leftover cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a warm oven for a few minutes. Doing this revives that fresh-baked softness and warmth, making the experience just as delightful as the first bite.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Cookie Recipe with Mix-Ins Recipe turns out year after year. The mix of sweet and salty with that chewy texture is what makes it a standby at my holiday parties and family gatherings. If you try just one new cookie recipe this season, let it be this one—you’ll be so glad you did. I can’t wait to hear how your batch comes out and what fun mix-ins you choose!

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