Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles are a delightful holiday treat that perfectly blend sweetness and a bit of crunch. They’re perfect for family gatherings, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying by the fire. Remember the smell of baking cookies wafting through the house? That incredible warmth fills the air during the holidays, inviting everyone in. Making these cookies can transport you right back to those cozy memories. With each chewy bite, you’ll find a balance of soft, buttery goodness paired with festive flavors, like holiday M&M’s and pretzel crunch. These snickerdoodles don’t just taste amazing; they radiate holiday cheer. So let’s roll up our sleeves and bring a little magic to your kitchen with this wonderful recipe for Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles.
Why This Recipe Works
The secret behind these Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles lies in the unique combination of browned butter and a varied mix of ingredients, which creates a depth of flavor that elevates these cookies beyond basic snickerdoodles. The browned butter adds a nutty richness that pairs surprisingly well with sweet elements. Additionally, by adding mini pretzel sticks, you introduce a crunchy texture and a delightful salty-sweet contrast. This interesting twist ensures that every bite is exciting and full of surprises.
Why You’ll Love This Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles
These cookies are perfectly chewy with crispy edges, capturing the joyful spirit of the holidays. Imagine pulling a tray of warm cookies from your oven, the vibrant colors of the holiday M&M’s glistening under the kitchen lights. They’re not just any cookies; they can be the stars of your holiday gatherings. Their festive flavors and fun ingredients are sure to spark smiles and create warm memories among family and friends. Plus, they’re ideal for sharing—who wouldn’t want to spread a little holiday cheer?
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/4 cups holiday M&M’s
- 1 cup mini pretzel sticks, crushed
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chunks
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
The Browned Butter Magic
Browning the Butter
To start, melt 1 stick of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook it until it turns a light golden brown, which should take about 3-4 minutes. The butter should smell nutty and delicious. Once it’s done, remove it from heat, pour it into a heatproof bowl, and let it chill in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving that rich flavor that sets your cookies apart.
Preparing the Dough
Mixing the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining stick of room temperature butter with the cooled browned butter. Mix in the brown sugar until well blended. A hand mixer works best for achieving that creamy texture that’s essential for creamy cookies.
Adding Eggs and Vanilla
Next, incorporate the eggs, along with the extra egg yolk, beating in one at a time. This part is fun—watch how the mixture gets lighter and fluffier. Add in the vanilla extract and keep mixing until you achieve a nice, creamy consistency.
Combining Dry Ingredients
Now, gradually mix in the all-purpose flour along with the baking soda and kosher salt. Stir until just combined. It’s important not to overmix at this stage, as you want your cookies to stay tender.
Bringing It All Together
Folding in the Fun Ingredients
Now, this is where the fun truly begins! Carefully fold in the holiday M&M’s, crushed pretzel sticks, chocolate chips, and dark chocolate chunks. Make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The mixture should look colorful and inviting, full of texture.
Shaping and Coating the Cookies
Rolling the Dough
In a separate bowl, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This will create the perfect coating for your cookies. Roll the dough into balls, roughly 2-3 tablespoons each in size. After rolling, coat each ball generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture for that classic snickerdoodle finish.
Baking the Cookies
Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to space them about 3 inches apart. This spacing is crucial, as they will spread while baking. Bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8 minutes. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will be irresistible!
Final Touches
Halfway through baking, rotate the pan and gently press additional M&M’s into the tops of the cookies. Then let them bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until they’re slightly golden. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling period helps the cookies set while still keeping that soft, chewy center.
Serving Suggestions
These warm Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles are best served alongside a glass of cold milk or a cozy cup of hot cocoa. The combination is pure holiday bliss. You can also pack them in festive tins, making excellent gifts for friends, family, or coworkers. They’ll definitely add some cheer to anyone’s holiday season!
Tips for Success
For the best results, make sure your butter is at room temperature. This will help create a creamy consistency when you mix it. Another simple tip: don’t overbake your cookies! They’ll continue to set even after you remove them from the oven, so slightly underbaking gives you that perfect chewy texture.
Variations
Feel free to get creative with your Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles. Swap the M&M’s for seasonal candies or even nut butter chips for different delightful flavors. You can also experiment by adding ingredients like shredded coconut or crushed peppermint for a festive twist that will surprise everyone.
Storage Tips
To keep your chewy snickerdoodles at their freshest, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want to extend their life, try freezing them to enjoy at a later date!
FAQs
1. Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Absolutely! Just add a pinch of salt to maintain that delicious flavor.
2. How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
3. Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes! Roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, cook them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
4. What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If your dough feels too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This should make it easier to handle and shape.
5. How can I make these snickerdoodles more festive?
Incorporate crushed peppermint or festive sprinkles for an extra holiday flair.
Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles are more than just a treat; they are a delightful symbol of the joyful holiday spirit. With their festive colors and cheerful textures, these cookies are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions. Whether baking to share with loved ones or enjoying a warm, chewy bite yourself, this recipe promises comfort and celebration in every scrumptious mouthful. Happy baking!
Print
Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles
These chewy Christmas snickerdoodles blend salty and sweet elements for a delightful treat. Perfect for sharing during the holidays, their festive flair makes them a must-bake.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/4 cups holiday M&Ms
- 1 cup mini pretzel sticks, crushed
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chunks
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Melt 1 stick of butter in a skillet until light golden brown, then chill.
- In a mixing bowl, combine room temperature and chilled browned butter with brown sugar.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
- Gradually mix in flour, baking soda, and kosher salt until just combined.
- Fold in holiday M&Ms, crushed pretzel sticks, chocolate chips, and dark chocolate chunks.
- Roll dough into balls, coat in cinnamon-sugar mixture, and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, adding more M&Ms halfway through.
- Cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
Ensure butter is at room temperature for optimal mixing.
Avoid overbaking to maintain chewy texture.
Can be frozen after baking for future enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
