Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies

Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies are more than just a holiday treat—they’re a warm hug in cookie form. If December has you juggling work, kids, parties, and that never-ending to-do list, this recipe is here to make life sweeter, not harder. These cookies are chewy, colorful, loaded with chocolate, and just whimsical enough to feel like real Christmas magic.

As a mom, home cook, and lifelong chicken-lover-turned-cookie-baker , I know how important it is to have one dependable holiday recipe you can count on. One that works every time. One that makes your kitchen smell like joy. And one that convinces your kids that Santa absolutely will notice the effort.

Whether you’re baking for a school party, a cookie exchange, or that plate you’ll leave out on Christmas Eve with a glass of milk, Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies are about to become a treasured tradition in your home.

Why You’ll Love These Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies

Let me count the ways—because these cookies truly deliver:

• Soft and chewy centers with lightly crisp edges
• Packed with chocolate (semi-sweet and white—Santa has great taste)
• Festive and fun thanks to red and green M&M’s and jimmies
• Easy enough for busy days, but special enough for Christmas Eve
• Kid-approved and secretly adult-approved too

These Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies strike that perfect balance between bakery-style indulgence and homemade comfort. And the best part? You don’t need fancy tools or obscure ingredients. Just a bowl, a mixer, and a little holiday spirit.

Ingredients That Make the Magic Happen

• Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
  Soft butter blends smoothly and gives the cookies that rich, buttery base. If you forgot to take it out earlier (we’ve all been there), I’ve got a quick butter-softening trick that saves the day.
• Light Brown Sugar
  This is the secret to that irresistible chew. Brown sugar adds moisture and depth, making these cookies soft for days—if they last that long.
• Eggs (room temperature)
  Cold eggs don’t mix as well. Let them hang out on the counter while your butter softens.
• All-Purpose Flour
  Spoon and level it gently. Packed flour = dense cookies, and Santa prefers soft ones.
• Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet + white)
  A mix gives you little pockets of creamy sweetness and classic chocolate flavor in every bite.
• Pure Vanilla Extract
  Please promise me this: skip imitation vanilla. Pure vanilla keeps the flavor warm and cozy without bitterness. Almond extract works too if you’re feeling festive.
• Holiday M&M’s & Red/Green Jimmies
  These bring the sparkle. Tell your younger kids they’re the “magic ingredient.” Works like a charm—especially with preschoolers.

(The full ingredient list is waiting for you in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here’s what really matters—and why.)

How to Make Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies

Let’s break this down into simple, stress-free steps. You’ve got this.

Prepare Your Kitchen

• Preheat your oven to 350ºF
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (easy cleanup = holiday win)

Make the Dough

1. Cream the Butter and Sugars
   In a large bowl, use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat the butter and sugars together for about 2 minutes. You’re looking for a fluffy, blended mixture—this step helps give the cookies lift and softness.
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla
   Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. The dough should look smooth and glossy.
3. Add the Dry Ingredients
   Mix in the flour, salt, and baking soda just until combined. Don’t overmix here—stop as soon as you no longer see dry flour.
4. Fold in the Fun Stuff
   Using a spatula, gently fold in:
   • Semi-sweet chocolate chips
   • White chocolate chips
   • Holiday M&M’s
   • Red and green jimmies
   This is where the dough transforms from basic to Christmas spectacular.

Form the Cookies and Bake

1. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion dough onto the baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches of space between cookies.
2. Bake for 11–13 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft.
3. Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set without drying out.

Try not to eat one immediately—but I won’t judge if you do.

Baking Tips from My Kitchen to Yours

• Chill the dough for thicker cookies
  If your kitchen is warm or you love extra-thick cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes.
• Don’t overbake
  Cookies continue to bake as they cool. Pull them out when they look just underdone in the center.
• Let kids help decorate
  Extra M&M’s pressed on top before baking make these Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies even cuter.
• Uneven cookies? Totally fine.
  That’s homemade charm—and Santa doesn’t mind one bit.

A Little Holiday Story from My Kitchen

These cookies became a tradition in my house after one particularly chaotic December. I needed one reliable recipe—something festive, forgiving, and fun. My kids helped dump in the sprinkles, flour went everywhere, and we laughed the whole time.

That night, they insisted we leave the biggest cookie for Santa. The next morning? Cookie gone. Crumbs everywhere. And suddenly, these weren’t just cookies anymore—they were memories.

That’s the magic I hope Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies bring to your home too.

FAQs About Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies

Let’s Make Some Christmas Magic

If you’re looking for a cookie that feels special without being stressful, Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies are calling your name. They’re cheerful, comforting, and exactly what the season needs—especially on busy days when you still want something homemade and heartfelt.

Bake a batch, share them with people you love, and don’t forget to save a few for Santa. Something tells me these will disappear fast.

From my kitchen to yours—happy baking, and may your holidays be sweet, cozy, and full of magic.

Keep the Christmas Cookie Fun Going

If you’re already in full holiday baking mode (or just thinking about it while sneaking another cookie ), here are a few more festive treats your family will absolutely love. These recipes pair beautifully with Santa’s Favorite Christmas Cookies and help you build a Christmas dessert spread that feels joyful, cozy, and totally doable:

• Twisted Christmas Cookies with Festive Flair – Soft, colorful, and fun to make, these cookies are perfect for baking with kids or adding a playful touch to your holiday cookie tray.
• Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Everyone Reaches For – Buttery, rich, and filled with chocolatey goodness, these are a classic favorite for cookie exchanges and family gatherings.
• No-Bake Grinch Oreo Truffles Kids Go Crazy For – When the oven is already full, these easy no-bake treats swoop in to save the day and bring big smiles.
• Classic Italian Christmas Cookies for Cozy Traditions – Light, tender, and full of old-school holiday charm, these cookies are perfect with coffee, cocoa, or a quiet moment by the tree.

Mix and match a few of these favorites, and you’ll have a holiday cookie lineup that feels festive, comforting, and made with love—just the way Christmas baking should be.

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