Holiday Cookie Recipes to Try
Highlighted under: Baking & Desserts
Celebrate the festive season with these delightful holiday cookie recipes that bring joy and warmth to any gathering.
These holiday cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends. Each bite is filled with festive flavors that evoke the spirit of the season.
Why You'll Love These Cookies
- A variety of flavors to satisfy every palate
- Perfect for gifting or sharing at gatherings
- Easy to make with loved ones for a fun family activity
A Festive Tradition
Baking cookies during the holiday season is a cherished tradition for many families. The aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the home with warmth and joy, creating a cozy atmosphere that brings everyone together. Whether you're making them for a holiday gathering, gifting them to friends and family, or simply enjoying them with a cup of hot cocoa, these cookie recipes are sure to add a touch of magic to your celebrations.
Each cookie carries the spirit of the season, offering a delightful combination of flavors that evoke happy memories. The act of baking can also be a wonderful way to slow down amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, allowing you to connect with loved ones and create lasting memories.
Customizable Flavors
One of the best parts about these holiday cookie recipes is their versatility. With a basic dough as your canvas, you can mix and match a variety of flavor additions to suit your taste or the preferences of your family and friends. From rich chocolate chips to zesty orange and warming cinnamon, the options are endless and allow for creativity in the kitchen.
Consider adding your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or even spices to create a unique twist on the classic cookie. This not only makes the cookies more enjoyable but also allows you to personalize each batch, making it a fun and interactive experience for bakers of all ages.
Perfect for Gifting
Homemade cookies make for thoughtful and delicious gifts during the holiday season. Whether you package them in festive tins or arrange them on a decorative plate, these cookies are sure to bring smiles to those who receive them. Gifting homemade treats shows that you care and put time and effort into creating something special.
Additionally, you can customize the flavors based on the recipient's preferences, making each gift unique. Consider hosting a cookie exchange with friends and family, where everyone brings their favorite cookies to share. This not only expands your cookie repertoire but also adds a sense of community and joy to the holiday spirit.
Ingredients
Basic Cookie Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Holiday Flavor Additions
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Zest of 1 orange
Mix and match these ingredients to create your favorite holiday cookies!
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
Add Flavorings
Fold in the chocolate chips, nuts, dried cranberries, and orange zest until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Bake the Cookies
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Enjoy your holiday cookies with a glass of milk or gift them to friends and family!
Baking Tips
To ensure your cookies turn out perfectly, it's important to measure your ingredients accurately. Use the spoon-and-level method for flour to avoid packing it into the measuring cup, which can lead to dense cookies. Additionally, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with the sugars, resulting in a light and fluffy dough.
Another key tip is to avoid overmixing the dough once you add the flour. Overmixing can develop gluten, leading to tougher cookies. Mix until just combined, then gently fold in your desired mix-ins for the best texture.
Storing Your Cookies
Once your holiday cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Depending on the ingredients, most cookies will stay fresh for about a week at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies. Just make sure they are well-wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in a freezer-safe container. You can enjoy your festive treats even after the holiday season!
If you plan to give cookies as gifts, consider including a note with storage instructions. This way, your loved ones can enjoy them at their best and savor the flavors you carefully selected.
Get Creative
Don’t hesitate to experiment with different flavor combinations and add-ins. From peppermint chips for a minty twist to coconut flakes for a tropical touch, the possibilities are endless. You can even try using different extracts like almond or hazelnut to enhance the flavor profile of your cookies.
If you’re feeling adventurous, consider creating themed cookies for your celebrations. Use cookie cutters to shape the dough into festive designs, and decorate them with icing and sprinkles for a fun and colorful presentation. This not only makes the cookies visually appealing but also adds to the festive cheer.
Questions About Recipes
→ Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container.
→ What variations can I try?
Feel free to substitute the chocolate chips with white chocolate, or use different dried fruits like cherries or apricots.
→ How do I make them gluten-free?
You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour to make these cookies gluten-free.
→ Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, margarine can be used, but it may slightly alter the texture and flavor of the cookies.
Holiday Cookie Recipes to Try
Celebrate the festive season with these delightful holiday cookie recipes that bring joy and warmth to any gathering.
Created by: Summer Blake
Recipe Type: Baking & Desserts
Skill Level: Intermediate
Final Quantity: 24 cookies
What You'll Need
Basic Cookie Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Holiday Flavor Additions
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Zest of 1 orange
How-To Steps
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips, nuts, dried cranberries, and orange zest until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 2g