Christmas Cookie Recipes

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and indulging in delightful treats. Among the many festive goodies, Christmas cookies hold a special place in our hearts. Whether you’re looking to bake for a family gathering, a cookie exchange, or just to spread some holiday cheer, here are some delicious Christmas cookie recipes that are sure to impress.

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

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
• 3-4 tablespoons buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
3. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
4. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let cool on wire racks.

2. Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
2. In another large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the molasses.
3. Gradually add the sifted ingredients until well blended. Divide dough into three equal portions, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least one hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
5. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until firm. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks. Decorate as desired.

3. Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup seedless raspberry jam
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 teaspoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Mix in the almond extract.
2. Gradually blend in the flour until dough is just combined.
3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Make a small indentation in the center of each ball using your thumb or the back of a spoon, and fill each with ¼ teaspoon of jam.
4. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet.
5. In a medium bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle lightly over the warm cookies.

4. Peppermint Bark Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup white sugar
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the vanilla and eggs one at a time.
3. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until well blended. Mix in the chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies.
4. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are golden. Cool on wire racks.

5. Snowball Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
2. Combine the flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Mix in the pecans. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 12 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool slightly, then roll in remaining powdered sugar.

These delightful Christmas cookie recipes are sure to bring smiles to faces and warmth to hearts. Enjoy baking these treats and sharing them with loved ones during this magical season. Happy Holidays!