Christmas Cookies are a beloved holiday tradition, embodying the spirit of the season with their delightful flavors and festive decorations. These soft, chewy treats are perfect for sharing with family and friends, making them a staple for holiday gatherings. With a combination of warm spices, sweet chocolate, and colorful icing, these cookies not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also fill your home with the enchanting aromas of the holiday season.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
You will absolutely love this Christmas cookie recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between ease and flavor. The dough comes together quickly, requiring minimal chilling time, so you can whip up a batch in no time! The cookies are soft and chewy, with a burst of festive flavors from cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. This recipe is versatile enough to accommodate various dietary needs, yet it remains utterly indulgent, making it suitable for everyone at your holiday table.
Tips and Tricks
- Use room temperature ingredients: Bring your butter and eggs to room temperature for better incorporation into the dough.
- Don’t overmix: Mix the dough just until combined to ensure the cookies remain tender and chewy.
- Chill the dough: If you have time, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes can enhance the flavor and texture, resulting in thicker cookies.
- Experiment with add-ins: Consider adding festive sprinkles, chopped nuts, or dried fruit for extra flavor and a festive touch.
Make Ahead Tips
You can prepare the cookie dough up to three days in advance. Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. For longer storage, freeze the dough for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough overnight in the fridge before rolling and baking. The baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Recipe Variations
- Classic Gingerbread: Add ground ginger and molasses to create a spiced gingerbread cookie.
- Peppermint Mocha: Incorporate crushed peppermint candies and espresso powder into the dough for a festive twist.
- Holiday Spritz Cookies: Use a cookie press to create beautiful shapes and decorate with colorful icing and sprinkles.
How to Serve
Serve these delightful Christmas cookies on a festive platter, perhaps garnished with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or alongside a few sprigs of holly for that extra holiday touch. Consider pairing them with a warm mug of hot cocoa or a glass of milk to enhance the experience.
Pairing Suggestions
These cookies pair beautifully with a variety of beverages, including a rich cup of coffee, spiced apple cider, or even a sweet dessert wine. For a more festive touch, consider serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
How to Store
Store your Christmas cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They will stay fresh for up to three months. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or let them thaw at room temperature.
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls: A large bowl for mixing the dough and a smaller bowl for any toppings.
- Baking sheets: You’ll need two or more for baking multiple batches at once.
- Parchment paper: For lining the baking sheets to prevent sticking.
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon: To portion out the dough evenly.
Dietary Adaptations
For a vegan version of these Christmas cookies, substitute the butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative, and use flax eggs instead of regular eggs. To make them gluten-free, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that any additional mix-ins, like chocolate chips, are also dairy-free if needed.
Seasonal Adaptations
Consider using seasonal spices like cardamom or adding dried cranberries for a wintery twist. You can also swap out chocolate chips for white chocolate chips or festive candies to align with the Christmas theme.
Recipe FAQs
- Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar? Yes, using brown sugar will yield softer cookies with a deeper flavor.
- How can I prevent cookies from spreading too much? Make sure to chill the dough and avoid overmixing.
- Can I freeze the baked cookies? Absolutely! Just ensure they are completely cooled before freezing.
Christmas Cookies
Christmas Cookies are a beloved holiday tradition, embodying the spirit of the season with their delightful flavors and festive decorations.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- Decorative sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips if using.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Optional: Top with decorative sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Yield
24Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 209Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 36mgSodium 106mgCarbohydrates 28gFiber 1gSugar 16gProtein 2g
TastyFitnessRecipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although tastyfitnessrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Making Christmas cookies is more than just baking; it’s about creating memories and sharing joy during the holiday season. With this recipe, you can fill your home with festive cheer and your heart with the warmth of giving. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven or gift them to friends and family, these cookies are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions. So gather your loved ones, put on some holiday music, and indulge in the delightful process of baking these festive treats!