Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive twist on the classic treat, made with buttery cookie dough, gooey chocolate chips, and colorful pastel candies. These cookies are soft, chewy, and perfect for celebrating the season. Whether for a family gathering, Easter baskets, or a holiday dessert tray, these cookies are a delightful way to add some springtime cheer to your baking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A fun and festive version of classic chocolate chip cookies.
- Customizable with your favorite Easter candies or pastel-colored sprinkles.
- Easy to make with simple pantry staples.
- Perfect for Easter gatherings or gifting.
- Soft, chewy, and packed with chocolatey goodness!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- Pastel-colored candies (e.g., M&M’s, mini eggs, or candy-coated chocolates)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. - Cream Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. - Add Egg and Vanilla:
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. - Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. - Fold in Mix-Ins:
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and pastel candies, reserving a few candies for topping. - Scoop and Shape:
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. - Top with Candies:
Press a few reserved pastel candies onto the tops of the cookie dough balls for a festive look. - Bake:
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers appear slightly underbaked. - Cool:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Variations
- White Chocolate Chip Cookies: Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips for a lighter flavor.
- Sprinkle Fun: Add pastel-colored sprinkles to the dough for extra festive flair.
- Peanut Butter Twist: Use Reese’s Pieces eggs or peanut butter chips.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based butter, a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water), and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Storage and Freezing
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing Dough: Freeze cookie dough balls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Freeze cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.
2. What type of pastel candies work best?
Pastel M&M’s, mini eggs, or candy-coated chocolates are all great options.
3. How do I make the cookies chewier?
Use more brown sugar than granulated sugar and do not overbake the cookies.
4. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking.
5. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking, especially if the dough is very soft.
6. Can I add nuts?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds make great additions.
7. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double all the ingredients and bake in batches.
8. How do I ensure the cookies are soft?
Bake until the edges are set, but the centers appear slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool.
9. Can I make mini cookies?
Yes, use a smaller scoop and reduce the baking time by 1-2 minutes.
10. What pairs well with these cookies?
Serve with a glass of milk, a cup of tea, or hot cocoa for a perfect pairing.
Conclusion
Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive, fun, and delicious way to celebrate the season. With their soft texture, chocolatey goodness, and colorful candy toppings, these cookies are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. Make a batch for your Easter festivities, and enjoy the sweet taste of spring!
PrintEaster Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with festive pastel-colored candies and chocolate chips. Perfect for Easter celebrations or springtime treats, they’re easy to make and loved by kids and adults alike!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (165 g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (175 g) chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- 1 cup (150 g) pastel-colored chocolate candies (such as M&M’s)
- 1/2 cup (50 g) white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the Chocolate and Candies:
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips, pastel-colored candies, and white chocolate chips (if using).
- Shape the Cookies:
- Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers look slightly soft.
- Remove from the oven and press a few extra pastel candies onto the tops of the cookies while they’re warm for a festive touch.
- Cool:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For an even more festive look, add colorful sprinkles to the dough or on top of the cookies before baking.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option.