Get ready to fill your home with the delightful aroma of freshly baked Christmas cookies! These cookies are a festive staple that brings smiles to faces and warmth to hearts. Perfectly sweet and lightly spiced, this recipe is an essential treat that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: You can whip these cookies up in no time.
- Simple Ingredients: Most items are pantry staples, making it easy to get started.
- Perfect for the Holidays: These cookies are ideal for Christmas gatherings or cookie exchanges.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a good cookie, especially during the holiday season.
- Unbelievably Delicious: The blend of vanilla and almond brings a unique flavor that stands out.
This recipe for Christmas cookies is special because it balances sweetness with a hint of nutty flavor, ensuring that every bite is a delight. It’s a wonderful way to make your holiday gatherings memorable while bringing comfort and joy.
Ingredients Needed
- For the Dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg (large)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- For Decoration:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
How to Make Christmas Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and white sugar together until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the mixture and ensure it’s well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Mixture: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Over-mixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop once everything is incorporated.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place them on ungreased cookie sheets, leaving space between them for spreading.
- Flatten Slightly: Use the bottom of a glass to gently flatten the dough balls. This helps them bake evenly.
- Bake: Put the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges turn golden.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool on wire racks completely, then sprinkle with powdered sugar for a lovely finish.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serve your Christmas cookies on a festive platter, perhaps garnished with a sprinkle of holiday-themed sprinkles or placed in cute gift boxes to share. Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to three months.
Helpful Notes
- Tips for Perfect Cookies: Make sure your butter is softened, but not melted. If you prefer a softer cookie, bake for a minute less.
- Variations: Feel free to add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruits into the dough for added texture and flavor.
Conclusion
This Christmas cookie recipe is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. With its easy preparation and delicious results, you’ll be sure to impress everyone. If you try these cookies, please leave a comment and a star rating below! Sharing is caring, so consider posting your cookie creations on social media and tag us. What personal touches would you add to your cookies? Let us know!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
Yes, using brown sugar will add moisture and a slight molasses flavor to your cookies, making them more chewy.
How do I make this gluten-free?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for the best texture.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cookie dough before baking or freeze the baked cookies. Just thaw them completely before serving.
Print
Christmas Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful Christmas cookies that are sweet, lightly spiced, and perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and white sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Use the bottom of a glass to gently flatten the dough balls.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges turn golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on wire racks, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Notes
For softer cookies, bake for a minute less. You can add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits for variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg