15 Chewy Cookie Recipes Perfect for Holiday Baking

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The holidays are all about cozy moments, twinkling lights, and the irresistible aroma of fresh-baked cookies wafting through the house. If you’re like me, nothing says “festive” quite like a batch of soft, chewy cookies that melt in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for a cookie swap, gifting to neighbors, or just treating your family, chewy cookies are a crowd-pleaser—they’re forgiving for beginners, customizable for fun twists, and always deliver that perfect texture.

In this roundup, I’ve gathered 15 chewy cookie recipes with holiday vibes, from classic chocolate chip variations to spiced gingerbread delights. Each one includes simple ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips to make your baking stress-free. Most can be made ahead, frozen, or dressed up with festive sprinkles. Grab your apron, preheat that oven, and let’s get baking—your kitchen is about to become the happiest place on earth!

1. Christmas M&M Cookies

These soft, chewy cookies bursting with colorful M&Ms and sprinkles are like a party in every bite. Perfect for kids to help decorate, and they make great gifts wrapped in cellophane.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened but still cool
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups M&M’s (or mix with chocolate chips), divided
  • ¼ cup holiday sprinkles

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy, add egg and vanilla, then mix in flour.
  4. Stir in 1 cup M&Ms. Scoop dough balls, press extra M&Ms on top, dip in sprinkles.
  5. Bake 8-11 minutes until edges set but center soft. Cool on racks.

Tip: Chill dough for thicker cookies. Yields 15-20.

2. Chewy Sugar Cookies

A simple, no-fuss classic that’s endlessly adaptable—roll in sprinkles for a holiday touch or frost with icing. These stay soft for days.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar, for dipping

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, add egg and extracts.
  3. Mix in dry ingredients until combined.
  4. Roll into 1″ balls, dip in sugar, place 2″ apart.
  5. Bake 10-11 minutes until set. Cool on sheet.

Tip: Swap sugar for colored sprinkles for festive fun.

3. Big Fat Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oversized and loaded with chips, these are the ultimate comfort cookie. Add holiday M&Ms for a seasonal spin.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F, grease or line sheets.
  2. Sift dry ingredients.
  3. Beat sugars and butter, add eggs and vanilla.
  4. Stir in flour mix, then chips.
  5. Drop spoonfuls 3″ apart, bake 15-17 minutes until edges golden.

Tip: Don’t overbake for maximum chewiness.

4. Molasses Rye Spice Snaps

Crispy edges with a chewy center, these spiced snaps bring warm holiday flavors without being overly sweet.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rye flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • ⅛ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp cloves
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅔ cup canola oil
  • 1¼ cups granulated sugar, divided
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • ½ tsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
  • ¼ cup raw cane sugar for rolling

Instructions:

  1. Preheat to 350°F, line sheets.
  2. Whisk dry ingredients.
  3. Whisk egg, oil, 1 cup sugar, molasses, vinegar; add dry mix.
  4. Roll small balls in sugar mix, flatten slightly.
  5. Bake 7-8 minutes, cool on racks.

Tip: Bang the tray mid-bake for cracks.

5. Chocolate Pretzel Monster Cookies

Nutty, crunchy, and chewy—these oversized cookies with pretzels and chocolate are fun for holiday platters.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup almond butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 4 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2½ cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup broken pretzels
  • ⅓ cup pepitas
  • ½ cup milk chocolate chips
  • ½ cup chopped dark chocolate
  • ½ cup chocolate mini eggs or M&Ms

Instructions:

  1. Preheat to 325°F, line sheets.
  2. Beat butters and sugar until whipped.
  3. Mix dry ingredients with coconut.
  4. Add syrup, molasses, egg, vanilla to butter mix.
  5. Combine all, stir in add-ins.
  6. Scoop ¼ cup portions, bake 13-15 minutes.

Tip: Use holiday-colored M&Ms.

6. Peppermint Swirl Sugar Cookies

Festive red-and-white swirls with a minty kick—these look stunning on a cookie tray.

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch chewy sugar cookie dough (from recipe #2)
  • 1-2 tsp peppermint extract
  • 3 drops red food coloring

Instructions:

  1. Knead peppermint into dough, divide in half.
  2. Color one half red.
  3. Pinch pieces alternately, roll into log, chill 2 hours.
  4. Slice ¼” thick, bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.

Tip: Adjust peppermint to taste for subtle flavor.

7. Salted Double-Chocolate Chewies

Rich, fudgy, and chewy with a salty finish—these are for chocolate lovers craving holiday indulgence.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup Dutch-processed cocoa
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp flaky sea salt
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup + 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar + ½ cup for coating
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 large eggs
  • 8 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Whisk dry ingredients.
  2. Beat butter, sugars, vanilla; add eggs.
  3. Mix in flour, then chocolate; chill 1 hour.
  4. Preheat to 350°F, roll balls in sugar.
  5. Bake 12 minutes, cool.

Tip: Use high-quality chocolate for best results.

8. Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

The quintessential holiday cookie—spicy, chewy, and perfect for cutting into shapes.

Ingredients:

  • 4¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp ginger
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¾ tsp allspice
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup molasses

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients in mixer.
  2. Add butter, then egg and molasses.
  3. Form disks, chill 30 minutes.
  4. Roll to ¼” thick, cut shapes.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.

Tip: Chill cutouts for defined shapes.

9. Molasses Spice Cookies

Thick, chewy, and crinkled—these are like gingersnaps but softer and more flavorful.

Ingredients:

  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ¾ tsp cloves
  • ¼ tsp allspice
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar + ⅓ cup for rolling
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ⅓ cup molasses

Instructions:

  1. Preheat to 375°F.
  2. Whisk dry ingredients.
  3. Beat butter and sugars, add egg, vanilla, molasses.
  4. Mix in dry, chill if desired.
  5. Roll balls in sugar, bake 11-13 minutes.

Tip: Optional glaze: Whisk powdered sugar and milk.

10. Maple Cookies

Sweet, nutty, and chewy with a cozy maple twist—great for fall-to-winter holidays.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup + 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

  1. Beat butter and sugar.
  2. Add vanilla, egg, syrup.
  3. Whisk dry, mix in.
  4. Fold in walnuts, chill 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat to 350°F, drop spoonfuls, bake 10-12 minutes.

Tip: Use Grade B syrup for richer flavor.

11. Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chewy inside, crispy outside—double the chocolate for ultimate decadence.

Ingredients:

  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup natural cocoa
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 egg + 1 yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients.
  2. Mix butter and sugars.
  3. Add eggs, vanilla.
  4. Fold in dry, then chips; chill 1 hour.
  5. Preheat to 350°F, bake 12 minutes.

Tip: Chill for thicker cookies.

12. Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

A chewy hybrid of macaroon and chocolate chip—tropical twist for holiday variety.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 3⅓ cups unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat to 375°F, line sheets.
  2. Mix dry.
  3. Beat sugar and butter, add eggs and vanilla.
  4. Mix in dry, then coconut and chips; chill if soft.
  5. Scoop, bake 15 minutes.

Tip: Chill dough for domed shape.

13. Gingerbread Snickerdoodles

Soft, chewy, and spiced with that signature crackle—a fun mash-up for ginger fans.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (browned and chilled)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1¾ tsp baking soda
  • 1½ tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • For rolling: ¼ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon + ⅛ tsp ginger

Instructions:

  1. Brown butter, chill until firm.
  2. Preheat to 350°F, line sheets.
  3. Mix dry ingredients.
  4. Beat butter and sugars, add molasses, egg, vanilla.
  5. Add dry, roll balls in sugar mix.
  6. Bake 8-10 minutes.

Tip: Freeze for up to 3 months.

14. Red Velvet Cookies

Tangy, chewy, and festive red with white chocolate chips—like cake in cookie form.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 egg + 1 yolk
  • 1 tbsp red food coloring
  • 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup natural cocoa
  • 2 cups white chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat to 350°F, line sheets.
  2. Beat butter, cream cheese, sugars, soda, salt, vanilla.
  3. Add eggs, coloring.
  4. Mix in flour and cocoa, then 1½ cups chips.
  5. Roll balls, bake 11-13 minutes; top with remaining chips.

Tip: Wet hands to shape dough easily.

15. Holiday Chocolate Chip Cookies with Browned Butter

Elevate classic chips with browned butter and spices for a warm holiday feel.

Ingredients:

  • 1⅔ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
  • ¼ tsp cardamom (optional)
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
  • ⅛ tsp cloves (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 8 tbsp browned butter
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
  • Flaky sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat to 350°F, line sheets.
  2. Whisk dry and spices.
  3. Beat butter and sugars, add egg and vanilla.
  4. Mix in dry, then chocolate.
  5. Scoop, bake 10 minutes; sprinkle salt.

Tip: Store up to 3 days or freeze dough.

There you have it—15 chewy delights to make your holidays sweeter! Experiment with add-ins like nuts or dried fruit, and remember the key to chewiness: don’t overbake and use plenty of brown sugar. If you try any, I’d love to hear how they turn out. Happy baking, and may your season be merry and bright! 🎄

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