10 Festive Cooking for This Christmas Season
- Kim Williamson
- Dec 9, 2024
- 6 min read
The holiday season brings joy, warmth, and delightful treats. One of the most beloved traditions is leaving cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Both kids and adults eagerly await these sweet offerings. What better way to celebrate the holidays than by baking cookies that will surely impress Santa?
This collection of 10 festive cookie recipes not only adds a personal touch to your baking but also creates lasting memories with loved ones. Each recipe is infused with the spirit of the season, making them perfect for your holiday gatherings.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are a timeless favorite for any holiday celebration. Their soft and buttery texture appeals to everyone, making them a must-bake this season.
To whip up a batch of approximately 24 cookies, gather the following 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
3 to 5 tablespoons of colored sugar for decoration
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder; set aside.
Cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.
Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls. Place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball with a glass bottom and sprinkle with colored sugar.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden.
These cookies not only please Santa but also anyone who stops by during the festive season.
2. Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies fill the air with warm, spicy scents that evoke the true spirit of winter festivities. These cookies can be creatively decorated, ensuring endless fun!
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
1 egg
½ cup molasses
Instructions:
Combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl, beat together butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in the egg and molasses.
Gradually add the flour mixture until fully blended. Chill the dough for an hour.
Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
The enticing scent of gingerbread will fill your home, making it feel warm and inviting.
3. Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies
Infuse classic chocolate chip cookies with a refreshing mint twist. This recipe combines two beloved flavors, making it perfect for the season!
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup white sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup mint chips
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Mix butter, sugars, and vanilla until combined. Add eggs and mix well.
In another bowl, combine flour and baking soda. Gradually mix this into the butter mix and fold in both types of chocolate chips.
Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheets and bake for 9 to 11 minutes.
These cookies will add a festive touch to your dessert table, delighting everyone who tries them!
4. Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut butter blossoms are an irresistible blend of crunchy and creamy, highlighted by a chocolate kiss on top. These cookies are sure to steal the show!
Ingredients:
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
36 Hershey's Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix peanut butter, sugar, egg, and baking soda together in a bowl.
Roll the dough into small balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven, press an unwrapped chocolate kiss into each cookie, and return to the oven for another 2 minutes.
These delightful cookies are sure to please Santa and everyone else during the holiday season!
5. Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodles are classic, chewy cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar that will add a hint of nostalgia to your holiday treats.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cream together butter and sugar in a bowl. Beat in the eggs.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and cinnamon.
Roll dough into balls and coat in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
These cookies will sweeten your holiday gatherings, making them even more enjoyable!
6. Eggnog Cookies
Celebrate the season with eggnog-flavored cookies that bring the festive drink to life in cookie form. They're soft, rich, and perfect for sharing!
Ingredients:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup eggnog
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Combine flour, baking powder, and nutmeg in a bowl.
Cream butter and sugar, then mix in the egg, vanilla, and eggnog.
Mix the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheets.
Bake for about 12 minutes.
These cookies capture the delightful flavors of a beloved holiday beverage!
7. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate crinkle cookies are both visually stunning and delicious. Their cracked tops resemble fresh snowfall, making them perfect for winter festivities.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix cocoa powder, sugar, and oil in a bowl. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
Gradually blend in flour and baking powder.
Roll the dough into balls, coat them in powdered sugar, and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes.
These cookies not only taste amazing but also bring a festive look to your holiday table!
8. Raspberry Almond Cookies
These delicate cookies deliver a sweet burst of raspberry paired with a nutty almond flavor, creating a delicious combination that is sure to impress.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup raw sugar
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup raspberry jam
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cream butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in almond extract.
Gradually mix in flour and salt until combined.
Roll dough into balls, create an indentation, and fill with raspberry jam.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
These cookies are a fruity delight that will surely please holiday guests!
9. Peppermint Bark Cookies
These cookies bring the festive flavor of peppermint bark into the mix, enhancing your holiday cookie platter.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
White chocolate chips and crushed peppermint for decoration
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cream together butter, both sugars, and peppermint extract. Add the eggs one at a time until well combined.
In another bowl, mix flour and baking soda. Gradually add into the creamed mixture.
Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheets, sprinkle with white chocolate chips and crushed peppermint, then bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
These cookies embody the spirit of the season, both in taste and appearance!
10. Coconut Macaroons
End your cookie-making journey with chewy coconut macaroons. These unique cookies offer a delightful tropical twist during the holiday season.
Ingredients:
2 ¾ cups shredded coconut
½ cup sugar
½ cup egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
Melted chocolate for drizzling
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
Spoon tablespoonfuls onto a lined baking sheet.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
Once cooled, drizzle with melted chocolate for a festive touch.
These macaroons add a unique variety to your holiday cookie selection!
Make this Season Special
This holiday season, try these 10 delightful Santa cookie recipes. Each recipe, from classic sugar cookies to unique coconut macaroons, will spread holiday cheer. Baking together with family and friends can create unforgettable moments filled with love and joy.
Happy baking, and may your cookies deliver smiles to Santa this Christmas!
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