Name: Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup butter (softened); ¾ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 egg; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces, dry, instant, not cook-and-serve); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 cup white chocolate chips; 1 cup red and green M&M candies

There’s something magical about biting into a cookie that’s both rich and festive—**Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe** hits all those sweet spots with its chewy texture, vibrant red and green M&Ms, and that extra punch of chocolate from both semi-sweet and white chips. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your holiday staple.

A pile of round cookies with a light golden brown color is shown on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is studded with colorful candy pieces in red, green, and white, along with bits of dark brown chocolate chips scattered evenly on top. The cookies have a soft, slightly bumpy texture and are layered close together, some overlapping each other. Near the bottom right, a red and white twisted string is placed partly under and around some cookies, adding a festive touch. The overall scene is bright and warm with the focus on the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What makes this Santa’s Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe truly stand out isn’t just the festive colors or the double dose of chocolate—it’s how irresistibly soft and chewy these cookies turn out. I swear, every time I bake these, the whole kitchen smells like holiday magic.

Soft and Chewy Texture: Thanks to the instant vanilla pudding mix, these cookies stay wonderfully moist and tender.
Double Chocolate Delight: Semi-sweet and white chocolate chips blend perfectly for a rich, balanced flavor.
Festive Touch: Red and green M&Ms add a holiday pop that makes these cookies perfect for gifting or parties.
Easy to Make: Simple steps with common ingredients mean you can whip these up even on a busy day.

A close-up view of several soft, round cookies stacked and spread over a white marbled surface, each cookie light tan with a slightly wrinkled texture. They are dotted generously with red, green, and white candy-coated pieces, along with dark chocolate chips, giving the cookies a colorful and festive look. Two twisted red and white striped candy sticks are diagonally placed across the cookies, adding a playful detail to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays its part in creating a cookie that’s chewy, flavorful, and festive. The instant pudding mix might seem like an unusual addition, but it’s the secret to that soft, luscious bite you won’t forget.

Flat lay of a small square of pale yellow softened butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with light brown packed brown sugar, another small white bowl with fine white granulated sugar, a whole light brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl with clear pale golden vanilla extract, a small pile of white all-purpose flour, a neat mound of fine dry instant vanilla pudding mix powder, a small heap of white baking soda powder, a tiny mound of fine white salt, a small white bowl of glossy semi sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl of creamy off-white white chocolate chips, a small white bowl filled with shiny red and green M&M candies, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Using softened butter creamed with sugars creates a smooth base and tender crumb.
Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a slight caramel note, while granulated sugar helps with crispness.
Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor enhancer that ties all the ingredients together.
Egg: Binds the dough and helps with a chewy texture.
All-purpose Flour: The structure builder for your cookie dough.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: This is your secret weapon for softness—don’t skip or substitute!
Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread just right.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: Rich chocolate flavor that melts into every bite.
White Chocolate Chips: Adds a creamy contrast to the semi-sweet chips.
Red and Green M&M Candies: Festive colors that add both crunch and charm.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is easy to tweak. Sometimes I swap the white chocolate chips for butterscotch, or add a pinch of cinnamon for a cozy twist. You should definitely make it your own!

Variation: When I want a little extra holiday spice, I sprinkle in some ground cinnamon and nutmeg—such a warm and inviting flavor combo.
Diet-Friendly Tip: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour to make this cookie accessible for gluten-sensitive friends without sacrificing the texture.
Nut-Free Version: Since the recipe is naturally nut-free, it's perfect to share at gatherings where allergies are a concern.
Extra Chocolate: For the ultimate chocolate lover’s cookie, toss in a handful of mini chocolate chips just before baking.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by beating the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar for about 1-2 minutes. You want the mixture light and fluffy—that’s how you get that tender crumb. I usually use my stand mixer on medium speed to make this step a breeze.

Step 2: Add Vanilla and Egg

Next, mix in the vanilla extract and egg until fully combined. This little step adds richness and helps everything stick together beautifully.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Whisking these dry ingredients together ensures they’re evenly distributed, so your cookies bake perfectly every time.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients, Then Mix in Chips

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Overmixing is a no-go here because you want a tender texture. After that, stir in most of the chocolate chips, saving a few for topping later on.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. I find chilling helps the flavors meld and prevents the cookies from spreading too much when baked. Sometimes, if I’m short on time, 30 minutes works in a pinch, but I highly recommend the full hour if you can.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease the baking sheet—here’s a little trick I use: mist with cooking spray, then wipe it off with a paper towel to avoid too much grease. Roll dough into golf ball-sized portions (around 3 tablespoons). Place them on the sheet, then gently press the reserved chocolate chips and M&Ms on top. That way, they’re visible and festive once baked. Bake for 9-12 minutes until set but still soft in the center.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This cooling time helps them firm up just right. Then, resist the urge to dive in immediately—okay, maybe just a little.

Top Tip

From my experience, the key to getting that perfect chewy texture in Santa’s Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is the chill time and handling the dough gently. Here are a few standout tips I swear by:

Chill Your Dough: Giving the dough at least an hour in the fridge solidifies the fats and ensures the cookies don’t spread too much while baking.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour mixture, stir just until combined to keep the cookies tender.
Gentle Touch for Toppings: Press leftover chips and M&Ms onto the raw dough balls to get that inviting, colorful finish.
Watch the Bake Time: Pull the cookies out when they’re still slightly underdone; they’ll finish cooking as they cool and stay perfectly soft.

How to Serve Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

double chocolate cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to add a quick extra sprinkle of festive red and green sugar crystals on the cookies right after baking—they catch the light and add a subtle sparkle that’s just so charming on the plate.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a steaming mug of classic eggnog, or if you prefer something simple, a cold glass of milk lets the double chocolate flavor shine. They also go beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert that feels extra special.

Creative Ways to Present

I love arranging these cookies in a wreath shape on a festive platter, adding some fresh holly or sprigs of rosemary for a natural touch. For gift-giving, stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons in red and green—instant holiday joy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your freshly baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay soft and delicious for up to a week. Add a slice of bread inside the container to help keep moisture in, which really works wonders for cookie freshness!

Freezing

I often freeze the cookie dough balls before baking—just place them on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen; you might just need to add an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To refresh leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This revives that fresh-baked softness perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute regular vanilla pudding mix if I don’t have instant?

Regular vanilla pudding mix won’t work the same way because it requires cooking and has a different texture. Instant pudding mix is key here for that soft, chewy bite due to how it absorbs moisture in the dough.

Why is chilling the dough important?

Chilling the dough allows the butter to solidify which prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking. It also helps the flavors meld, resulting in a richer taste and better texture.

Can I use other types of candy instead of M&Ms?

Absolutely! While the color and crunch of M&Ms are a fun festive touch, you can swap them for other candies like Reese’s Pieces, crushed peppermint candies, or even dried cranberries for a tart twist.

How can I make these cookies dairy-free?

To make this recipe dairy-free, use a plant-based butter substitute and choose dairy-free chocolate chips. Just ensure the instant pudding mix you select is also free from dairy ingredients. The texture may vary slightly but still delicious!

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly heartwarming about baking and sharing this Santa's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. It’s more than just a cookie; it’s a little moment of joy that you can create and share. So, grab your apron, try this recipe, and I promise your home will smell like Christmas—and your loved ones will be asking for more.