9 Famous And Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes

The holiday season brings the enchanting aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through homes. Amidst the jolly festivities, one tradition stands out—the art of crafting delectable Christmas cookies.

These Christmas cookie recipes and treats not only tantalize taste buds but also carry the warmth of tradition and the joy of sharing. In this article, let’s dive into nine exquisite recipes to elevate your festive spirit and spread smiles.

Christmas Cookies

Baking Christmas cookies holds a special place in many hearts. Christmas cookie recipes are tradition passed down through generations, fostering a sense of togetherness and nostalgia. Dating back centuries, these cookies have cultural and religious ties, symbolizing love and kindness during the festive season.

The charm of homemade Christmas cookie recipes lies in their personal touch, from the scent of baking to the joy of decorating—a perfect representation of the holiday spirit.

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Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes

1. Sugar Cookies

A classic canvas for creativity, sugar cookies offer endless possibilities with their shapes and decorations in Christmas cookie recipes. They’re a must-have on every holiday baking list.

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

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
5. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
6. Roll out dough on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes.
7. Place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
8. Cool completely before decorating.

2. Gingerbread Cookies

Rich with spices and molasses, gingerbread cookies evoke the essence of the season. They’re perfect in Christmas cookie recipes for crafting edible ornaments or gingerbread houses.

Ingredients:

• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
4. Beat in the egg and molasses.
5. Gradually blend in dry ingredients until well combined.
6. Divide dough into two, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for 2 hours.
7. Roll out dough on a floured surface, cut shapes, and place on a baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges darken slightly. Cool before decorating.

3. Snickerdoodles

With their signature cinnamon-sugar coating, these soft, chewy cookies offer a delightful blend of sweetness and spice in Christmas cookie recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cream together sugar and butter until smooth, then beat in eggs.
3. Combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.
5. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon.
6. Shape dough into balls, roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture, and place on a baking sheet.
7. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until the sides are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

4. Shortbread Cookies

In Christmas cookie recipes these buttery and crumbly, shortbread cookies have a simple yet irresistible taste that pairs beautifully with tea or coffee.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and creamy.
3. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until combined.
4. Press dough into an ungreased baking pan or roll out and cut into shapes.
5. Prick dough with a fork and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden.
6. Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Creative Christmas Cookie Recipes

5. Peppermint Bark Cookies

A fusion of chocolate and peppermint, these cookies provide a refreshing burst of flavor, ideal for the festive mood under Christmas cookie recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 24 small peppermint candies, crushed

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing basin, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the egg and vanilla essence and mix well.
5. Gradually blend in dry ingredients until combined.
6. Roll dough into balls, dip the tops in crushed peppermint candies, and place on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.

6. Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons

Coconut lovers rejoice! These chewy, coconut-based treats dipped in chocolate are a delightful addition to any holiday platter in Christmas cookie recipes.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups shredded coconut
• ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large egg whites
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces dark chocolate, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. In a bowl, mix coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
3. In another bowl, beat egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture gently.
5. Drop spoonful of the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden.
6. Let cool completely, then dip the bottoms of the macaroons in melted chocolate crinkle. Place on parchment paper to set.

7. Cranberry Orange Biscotti

Perfect for dipping in coffee or hot chocolate, these crunchy biscotti combine the tanginess of cranberries with the zesty punch of orange being the best in Christmas cookie recipes.

 Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ¾ cup dried cranberries
• ¾ cup chopped almonds

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing basin, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture.
5. Stir in cranberries and almonds.
6. Divide the dough in half and shape into logs on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 25 minutes until firm. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing diagonally.
8. Place biscotti back on the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until crisp. Cool completely.

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Dietary Christmas Cookie Recipes

8. Vegan Ginger Snaps

For those with dietary preferences, these spicy, molasses-infused cookies are a vegan delight when it comes to Christmas cookie recipes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup molasses
• ¼ cup almond milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl, mix oil, sugar, molasses, and almond milk.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet components, mixing well after each addition.
5. Roll dough into balls, coat in sugar, and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

9. Gluten Free Snowball Cookies

Gluten-free doesn’t mean flavor-free! These melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies are proof that dietary restrictions need not hinder festive indulgence or in Christmas cookie recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar plus additional for coating
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups gluten-free flour blend
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
3. Gradually add flour and chopped nuts, mixing until well combined.
4. Roll dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes until set but not brown.
6. Let cool slightly, then roll in powdered sugar while still warm. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Enjoy making these delightful Christmas cookies to spread joy and sweetness during the holiday season!

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Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookies

• Ingredient Quality Matters: Using high-quality ingredients in Christmas cookie recipes elevates the taste and texture of your cookies, ensuring a memorable baking experience.
• Proper Baking Techniques: Pay attention to baking times and temperatures, as slight adjustments can make a substantial difference in achieving the perfect cookie.
• Wrap your cookies in festive packaging or gift them in decorative boxes—a thoughtful gesture that spreads cheer.

Conclusively, Christmas cookie recipes are more than just treats; they’re a celebration of love, togetherness, and tradition. Get baking, create memories, and spread the joy this festive season!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I freeze cookie dough for later use?

Yes, most cookie dough can be frozen for several weeks. Just ensure it’s tightly wrapped.

2. How long can I store baked cookies?

Properly stored in an airtight container, most cookies stay fresh for up to two weeks.

3. Can I substitute ingredients in cookie recipes?

While some substitutions are possible, they may alter the taste or texture. Experiment cautiously.

4. What’s the secret to soft and chewy cookies?

Using a higher ratio of brown sugar to white sugar often results in softer cookies.

5. Can I decorate cookies without using food coloring?

Natural alternatives like beet juice, turmeric, or matcha powder can add color without artificial dyes.