The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spread joy than with a plate of homemade Christmas cookies? Whether you're baking for your family, a festive gathering, or just for the love of cookie, these five simple recipes are sure to delight. From classic flavors to delightful twists, these recipes require minimal effort yet yield maximum taste and cheer. Let's dive into these holiday treats:
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Nothing screams Christmas quite like traditional sugar cookies, frosted to perfection. Here’s how you can make them:
- Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 cup butter, 1.5 cups white sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, icing sugar, and food coloring.
- Preparation:
- Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Mix well.
- Chill dough for about 2 hours. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool and then ice with colored icing. Let the icing set before serving.
🎄 Note: For an extra festive touch, use cookie cutters in Christmas shapes like trees, stars, or Santa's hat.
2. Gingerbread Men
These spicy, sweet treats are a holiday classic. Let’s bake some gingerbread men:
- Ingredients: 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp ground ginger, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 3/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cup softened butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup molasses.
- Preparation:
- Mix flour, spices, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream butter and brown sugar. Add egg and molasses, then gradually add dry ingredients.
- Form dough into a disc, wrap, and chill for at least an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick, cut out shapes, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Once cooled, decorate with royal icing.
👨🍳 Note: Chill the dough for a few hours for easier handling and to prevent spreading during baking.
3. Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
The combination of chocolate and mint is always a winner. Here’s a simple recipe:
- Ingredients: 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 large egg, 1/2 tsp peppermint extract, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, crushed candy canes for topping.
- Preparation:
- Cream butter and sugar, then beat in the egg, peppermint, and vanilla extracts.
- In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients.
- Chill dough for an hour. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Scoop dough into balls, roll in crushed candy canes, and flatten slightly on baking sheets.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are set but centers are still soft.
🎄 Note: Don't overbake these cookies; they should be slightly underdone in the center for a gooey middle.
4. Pecan Snowball Cookies
These delightful, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are a must for any Christmas cookie platter:
- Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dough), 1 tbsp vanilla extract, 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup chopped pecans, additional powdered sugar for coating.
- Preparation:
- Cream butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla.
- Add flour and pecans; mix until dough forms.
- Shape into balls, place on ungreased baking sheets, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes.
- While still warm, roll in powdered sugar.
❄️ Note: For extra flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the dough.
5. Eggnog Thumbprints
Capture the essence of Christmas with these delicious eggnog cookies:
- Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 egg, 1/3 cup eggnog, 1/2 tsp rum extract, 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp baking soda, eggnog cream cheese filling.
- Preparation:
- Cream butter with sugars. Add egg, eggnog, and rum extract. Slowly mix in dry ingredients.
- Chill dough for at least an hour. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Form dough into balls, indent with thumb, fill with cream cheese mixture, and bake for 12 minutes.
In the spirit of the season, these five Christmas cookie recipes offer something for everyone. Whether you're a baking beginner or a seasoned pro, these treats are straightforward, fun to make, and delicious to eat. They provide an opportunity to share moments with loved ones or simply indulge in a sweet escape from the holiday hustle.
Can I prepare cookie dough in advance?
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Yes, cookie dough can be prepared in advance. For most cookie recipes, you can store the dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just remember to let it come to room temperature before baking.
What can I use if I don’t have a cookie cutter?
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If you lack cookie cutters, try using the rim of a glass or jar, or improvise with shapes made from folded foil or parchment paper. For intricate designs, a sharp knife can cut through rolled-out dough.
Can I make gluten-free cookies with these recipes?
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Yes, substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend can work. For cookies, this can often be a direct swap, but you might need to adjust the amount of liquid if the dough consistency isn’t right.
