Christmas Cookies Recipe: A Festive Treat for the Holidays
The aroma of freshly baked Christmas cookies is synonymous with the holiday season. This year, ditch the store-bought treats and create a batch of delicious, homemade cookies that will impress your family and friends. This recipe provides a simple yet delicious base, adaptable to your favorite flavors and decorations.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Step 1: Cream Together Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is best achieved using an electric mixer, but can be done by hand with some elbow grease. The key is to incorporate plenty of air for a lighter cookie.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this can lead to tough cookies.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking. You can even chill it overnight for even better results.
Step 5: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 6: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create your desired shapes. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Step 7: 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, decorate them with frosting, sprinkles, candies, or anything your heart desires!
Tips for the Perfect Christmas Cookie:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The flavor of your cookies will be directly impacted by the quality of your ingredients.
- Don't overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and hard. Start checking them around 8 minutes.
- Get creative with decorations: Use different colored frostings, sprinkles, candies, and even edible glitter to create festive designs.
- Make it a family affair: Baking cookies is a great activity to do with children. Let them help with measuring, mixing, and decorating.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the dough.
- Gingerbread Cookies: Add 1 tablespoon of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of ground cloves to the dough.
- Snickerdoodle Cookies: Roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking.
This recipe provides a foundational base for countless Christmas cookie variations. Experiment with flavors, decorations, and shapes to create your own unique and delicious holiday treats! Remember to share your creations and tag us on social media – we'd love to see your baking masterpieces! Happy baking!
