Christmas Cookie Making Guide: 10 Festive Recipes to Try

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

Classic sugar cookies are a staple in any Christmas cookie collection. Their soft texture and sweet flavor create the perfect canvas for festive decorations. Here’s how to make them:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons buttermilk
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
  3. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
  4. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
  5. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients, adding buttermilk until the dough is soft.
  6. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  7. Flatten the balls with the bottom of a glass, and decorate with sprinkles or colored sugar.
  8. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden.

2. Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies bring a warm, spicy flavor to your holiday baking. They are perfect for decorating and can be enjoyed as a treat or used as ornaments!

• Ingredients:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup molasses
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
  2. In another bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth.
  3. Add the egg and molasses to the butter mixture and blend well.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until well combined.
  5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  7. Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness, and cut into desired shapes.
  8. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until firm.

3. Peppermint Bark Cookies

Combining the flavors of chocolate and peppermint, these cookies are sure to impress! They are easy to make and perfect for gifting.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup crushed peppermint candies
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
  3. Add the flour, cocoa powder, and peppermint extract, mixing until combined.
  4. Stir in the chocolate chips and crushed peppermint.
  5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are firm.

4. Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodles are a delightful twist on the classic cookie, known for their cinnamon-sugar coating. They are soft, chewy, and oh-so-addictive!

• Ingredients:
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a bowl, blend together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In another large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
  4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until blended.
  6. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of sugar with cinnamon.
  7. Shape the dough into balls and roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  8. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

5. Cranberry Orange Cookies

The refreshing combination of cranberry and orange makes these cookies a delightful addition to your holiday spread. They are bright, tangy, and perfect for the season.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
  • Zest of 1 orange
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
  6. Fold in chopped cranberries and orange zest.
  7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden around the edges.

6. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These cookies are a holiday classic known for their striking appearance and rich chocolate flavor. The powdered sugar coating gives them a delightful touch!

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Melt the chocolate chips and let them cool slightly.
  3. In a bowl, combine cocoa powder, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Add in baking powder and salt, mixing until well combined.
  5. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
  6. Shape the dough into balls and roll them in powdered sugar.
  7. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

7. Linzer Cookies

These beautiful sandwich cookies are filled with jam and dusted with powdered sugar, making them an elegant addition to your holiday cookie platter.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup ground almonds (or almond flour)
  • 1 cup raspberry or apricot jam
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
  4. Gradually mix in the flour and ground almonds until combined.
  5. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
  6. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes, making sure to cut out a smaller shape in half of the cookies.
  7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
  8. Once cooled, spread jam on the solid cookies and top with the cut-out cookies, dusting with powdered sugar before serving.

8. Almond Joy Cookies

Inspired by the beloved candy bar, these cookies are packed with almonds, coconut, and chocolate for a sweet treat that everyone will love!

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped almonds
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
  3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
  6. Fold in the coconut, chocolate chips, and chopped almonds.
  7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are golden.

9. Pecan Snowball Cookies

These delicate, buttery cookies are rolled in powdered sugar, giving them a snow-kissed appearance that is perfect for the holidays.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar (for rolling)
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until smooth.
  3. Mix in the flour, chopped pecans, and vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Shape the dough into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
  6. While still warm, roll the cookies in powdered sugar. Let them cool, then roll again for an extra dusting.

10. Eggnog Cookies

Capture the essence of the holiday season with these eggnog-flavored cookies. They are soft, flavorful, and perfect for any holiday gathering!

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons eggnog
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
  3. Add the egg, eggnog, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
  4. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt.
  5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well combined.
  6. Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
  8. Let cool and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Conclusion

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or simply indulging in festive baking with family, these 10 Christmas cookie recipes are sure to spread joy and cheer. From classic sugar cookies to decadent chocolate crinkles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Get your apron on, gather your loved ones, and make this holiday season a little sweeter with homemade cookies!