Christmas Cookie Recipe: A Festive Treat for the Holidays
The aroma of warm spices and sweet sugar cookies baking in the oven is synonymous with Christmas. This year, ditch the store-bought options and try your hand at these delicious and easy-to-make Christmas cookies. This recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, guaranteed to bring festive cheer to your holiday gatherings.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 30-40 cookies, depending on size. Adjust quantities as needed.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Softened butter is key for a smooth and creamy dough.
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps brown the cookies.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: The base of our cookie dough.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Optional: ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg: For added warmth and spice.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier!
Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer or hand mixer works best for this step.
Add the wet ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and any optional spices.
Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Chill the dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Shape and bake: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each.
Bake to perfection: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as oven temperatures can vary.
Cool and decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, unleash your creativity and decorate with frosting, sprinkles, candies, or anything else your heart desires!
Tips for Christmas Cookie Success:
- Soften your butter properly: Make sure your butter is truly soft, but not melted.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill the dough: Chilling is crucial for preventing spreading.
- Use parchment paper: It makes for easy cleanup and prevents sticking.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating: This prevents the frosting from melting.
Festive Decoration Ideas:
Get creative with your decorations! Consider these ideas:
- Red and green sprinkles: Classic Christmas colors.
- Candy canes: Crush them up for a sweet topping.
- Chocolate chips: Simple yet effective.
- Royal icing: Perfect for intricate designs.
- Edible glitter: Adds extra sparkle!
Enjoy the process of making these delicious Christmas cookies and the joy they bring to your holiday season. Happy baking!
