There's nothing more comforting around the holidays than the warm, gooey goodness of a fresh cookie. When your home becomes a revolving door of family and friends, these delicious cookies are perfect to have on hand. Fit for all ages and skill levels, these baked goods are sure to get you in the mood for warming up those cold winter months.
Get your mixing bowls ready, stock up on all your baking supplies, and even get ready to grab some Christmas-themed sprinkles to add your own special touch. Here's our top five Christmas cookie recipes that you can make at home.
Peppermint Meltaways
Cookie Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup of butter, softened
- 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 1/4 teaspoons of peppermint extract
- 2 – 3 drops of red food color (optional)
- Hard peppermint candy or candy canes, crushed
Makes 4 dozen cookies.
Directions:
1. Combine sugar, butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy.
2. Reduce speed to low; add flour and cornstarch. Beat until well mixed.
3. Cover; refrigerate until firm (30 to 60 minutes).
4. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls.
5. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
6. Let stand for 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely.
7. Meanwhile, combine 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, and enough milk for desired glazing consistency in a small bowl.
8. Stir in food color, if desired. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy.
Chocolate Chip Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 10 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened (roughly 1 and 1/4 sticks)
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup of semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Directions:
1.Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
2. Line 2 large-rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl to blend.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla.
5. Add flour mixture and oats and stir until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and cranberries.
6. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared sheets, 2 inches apart.
7. Bake cookies, one sheet at a time, until edges are light brown, about 14 minutes.
8. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to rack to let cool completely.
Belgian Christmas Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup of butter
- 1 teaspoon of almond extract
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 and 2/3 cup of all purpose flour, sifted
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of unblanched whole almonds, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons of red sugar crystals
- 2 teaspoons of green sugar crystals
Makes 5 dozen cookies.
Directions:
1.Cream butter with almond extract. Add brown sugar gradually, creaming until fluffy.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together; add in thirds to creamed mixture, mixing until blended after each addition.
4. Turn into a greased 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly roll pan and spread evenly to the edges.
5. Sprinkle a mixture of almonds and cinnamon over the batter, then sprinkle with a mixture of red and green sugar.
6. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes. Cut into bars while still warm.
Brown Sugar Spritz Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 cup of butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 2 cups of flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoons of salt
Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two cookie sheets.
2. Beat brown sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Add milk, egg, and vanilla; beat until creamy.
4. Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to the sugar mixture.
5. Force dough through cookie press onto prepared cookie sheets.
6. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until just browned.
Soft Ginger Snaps
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup of butter
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup of molasses
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of ginger
- 2 teaspoons of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 2 cups flour
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Directions:
1.Combine together butter, sugar, and egg. Add 1/4 cup molasses.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
3. Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until soft dough forms.
4. Refrigerate for 2 hours, then mold into balls and roll in sugar.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Fran Jacquier / Unsplash.
