5 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes to Try This Year

Classic Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are the epitome of Christmas baking. Their timeless appeal comes from their simple ingredients, versatility in decoration, and the sweet, buttery flavor that everyone loves. Here’s how you can make these classic sugar cookies this holiday season:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• Frosting, sprinkles, or icing for decoration

Instructions:

1. Cream together butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the dough, which helps your cookies maintain their shape and softness.
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully incorporated.
3. In another bowl, mix together baking powder and flour. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing.
4. Once your dough is formed, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilled dough is easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thick.
6. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters, then transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. The cookies should still be light in color to ensure they remain soft.
8. Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating with frosting or icing and your favorite Christmas-themed sprinkles.

🎄 Note: Make sure your oven temperature is accurate. A slight variation can lead to cookies that are either undercooked or overcooked, affecting their texture and taste.

Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread men are iconic Christmas cookies, known for their distinct spice profile. Here’s a delightful recipe to bring the spirit of the holidays into your home:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ³⁄₄ cup (1 ¹⁄₂ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ³⁄₄ cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ¹⁄₂ cup molasses
• Icing for decoration

Instructions:

1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and molasses, mixing until well combined.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together.
4. Divide the dough into two parts, wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours. Cold dough helps in cutting out precise shapes and keeps cookies from spreading during baking.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ¹⁄₄-inch thickness. Cut out gingerbread men using a cookie cutter.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are crisp but the center remains soft.
7. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with icing to create faces, buttons, and festive details.

Peppermint Bark Cookies

These cookies combine the flavors of the season: chocolate and peppermint. They’re perfect for those looking for something beyond traditional sugar cookies.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¹⁄₂ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ³⁄₄ cup granulated sugar
• ³⁄₄ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• ¹⁄₂ cup white chocolate chips
• ¹⁄₂ cup dark or milk chocolate chips
• ¹⁄₄ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Instructions:

1. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
2. In another bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips and most of the peppermint candies, reserving some for garnish.
5. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
7. While still warm, sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermint over the cookies to stick.

Almond Macaroons

Almond macaroons offer a delightful chewiness and an elegance that’s perfect for any Christmas party or dessert table.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¹⁄₄ cups fine almond flour
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon cream of tartar
• ¹⁄₄ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Filling of choice (ganache, buttercream, or jam)

Instructions:

1. Sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together into a large bowl to remove any lumps.
2. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating until the whites form stiff, glossy peaks.
3. Fold the almond-sugar mixture into the egg whites along with the almond extract until you get a thick, slightly loose batter. If desired, add food coloring at this stage.
4. Pipe small rounds onto parchment paper, leaving space for them to spread slightly.
5. Let the macarons rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to form a skin, which helps them retain their shape during baking.
6. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 15 minutes, until the macarons are firm on the outside but still slightly soft inside.
7. Once cooled, sandwich two macarons with your choice of filling.

Chocolate Chip Shortbread

Shortbread cookies are a simple yet sophisticated treat, and adding chocolate chips gives them a festive twist:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¹⁄₂ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups all-purpose flour
• ¹⁄₂ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
2. Add flour and salt, then mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
3. Fold in the chocolate chips.
4. Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan.
5. Prick the dough all over with a fork, which helps to prevent puffing during baking.
6. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Do not overbake to keep the shortbread tender.
7. Let cool in the pan before cutting into squares or bars.

As the holiday season nears, your kitchen is poised to become a center of joy, with the aroma of baking cookies filling the air. This year, try these 5 best Christmas cookie recipes that promise both tradition and excitement. Whether you're indulging in the classic simplicity of sugar cookies or savoring the delightful complexity of almond macaroons, each recipe brings its unique contribution to your holiday table. Not only do these cookies cater to a variety of tastes, but they also provide an opportunity to create lasting memories with friends and family. So roll up your sleeves, turn on your favorite holiday tunes, and embark on a baking adventure that will bring smiles, satisfaction, and perhaps a few sweet crumbs to clean up!