5 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes for Holiday Baking

With the holiday season in full swing, the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked cookies has become the standard for the cozy atmosphere. Whether you're hosting guests, gifting treats, or simply indulging in the spirit of Christmas, whipping up a batch of cookies is a delightful activity. We've compiled five easy Christmas cookie recipes to keep your holiday baking straightforward and fun, yielding delicious results that'll impress even the grumpiest of Grinches!

Classic Sugar Cookies

Nothing says Christmas like the simplicity of classic sugar cookies. This recipe is foolproof and perfect for decorators and non-decorators alike.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to ¼ inch thickness and cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

🎄 Note: Let cookies cool completely before icing or decorating to avoid melting your design.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Indulge in the spicy warmth of soft gingerbread cookies, a Christmas staple that evokes the nostalgia of childhood holiday mornings.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• ¼ cup molasses

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. In another bowl, beat together butter and sugar until creamy. Beat in the egg, then add water and molasses, mixing well. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
3. Shape dough into balls, place on an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Peppermint Meltaway Cookies

A mix of holiday cheer and delicate flavor, peppermint meltaway cookies are sure to melt in your mouth, capturing the essence of winter in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract

Steps:

1. In a medium bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Stir in peppermint extract, then add flour and cornstarch and mix well. Shape into 1 inch balls.
3. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in powdered sugar.
4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before dusting with additional powdered sugar.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These chocolate crinkle cookies boast an irresistibly fudgy center with a crispy, powdered sugar crust, making them the perfect holiday treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix sugar and oil in a bowl, then stir in eggs and vanilla.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Blend into the wet ingredients until well mixed.
3. Refrigerate dough for at least 4 hours or overnight. Form into small balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place on a cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies will look undercooked, but they will set as they cool.

❄️ Note: Rolling the dough in powdered sugar before baking ensures the crinkled, snowy appearance.

Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

A delightful mix of salty and sweet, these salted caramel thumbprint cookies elevate the traditional thumbprint to a holiday must-have.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Caramel candies or caramel sauce
• Sea salt for sprinkling

Steps:

1. Cream together butter and powdered sugar until light. Add vanilla, then sift in flour and salt. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.
2. Roll into small balls, press with thumb or back of a spoon to make an indentation.
3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, press centers again if they’ve risen, and bake for 5 more minutes.
4. Once slightly cooled, fill indents with caramel and sprinkle with sea salt.

In crafting your holiday cookie platter, these five easy recipes provide a diverse array of flavors and textures that will delight both the maker and the eater. Each cookie represents a different aspect of the holiday season, from the nostalgia of gingerbread to the novelty of salted caramel thumbprints. The beauty of these recipes lies in their simplicity, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with loved ones. Enjoy the process, the festivities, and the satisfaction of watching these homemade treats bring joy to all.