Holiday Cookie Recipes

holiday_cookie_recipes

With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to start brainstorming some fun cookie recipes you can have on hand for any holiday parties. Cookies are great because you can take them as a dessert or even just bring them as a host or hostess gift. Make them ahead of time and freeze them so they are ready to go when you need them! 

Not only is it great to have them on hand, but it is also a fun holiday activity you can do with friends or family! Throw on your coziest pajamas and turn on some holiday music! Each of you can bring a different recipe, and you can all swap in the end!

So, let’s dive into some of our favorite cookie recipes! 

Gingerbread 

When you think of classic Christmas cookies, gingerbread might be the first to come to mind. Often, gingerbread cookies can be hard and not as moist as most cookies. That’s why we have set out to find a soft and chewy gingerbread cookie recipe. Here’s one of our favorites! 

Ingredients: 

2 ¾ cups flour

2 ½ teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of Salt 

1 ½ sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup light brown sugar (packed)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large eggs (room temperature)

¼ cup molasses (mild)  

Instructions: 

  1. Whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. 
  2. In another bowl, add the butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Beat on medium until fluffy. (about 2 minutes) 
  3. Add the eggs into the bowl one at a time and beat after each addition.
  4. Add the molasses and beat again until combined. 
  5. Mix on low while adding the dry ingredients slowly. Mix until combined.
  6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours 
  7. When chilled, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
  8. Roll dough into balls and space them out 2 inches apart from each other on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Press down on them lightly.
  9. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove and let cool on the baking sheet. 
  10. Decorate with your favorite toppings & enjoy!

Sugar Cookie

The sugar cookie is another staple to every Christmas cookie platter. Here’s one of our favorite sugar cookie recipes that is super soft and chewy! 

Ingredients: 

2 ¾ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

1 cup & 2 tbsp granulated sugar

2 tbsp light brown sugar

1 large egg (room temperature)

2 tsp vanilla extract

¼ cup sugar (for rolling)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line back the sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and whisk together. 
  3. Add butter and both sugars into a large mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until fluffy. 
  4. Add the egg and vanilla to the butter and sugar mixture and mix until combined.
  5. Add the dry ingredients slowly and mix until combined. Don’t overmix. 
  6. Roll dough into balls and roll each into additional sugar. Set them on a baking sheet evenly spaced.
  7. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until the edges are golden.
  8. Once done, take them out and allow them to cool. Transfer to a cooling rack and begin decorating!

Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint

Any holiday season would not be complete without the candy cane. We found the best holiday cookie recipe that incorporates that peppermint flavor we all love. This peppermint chocolate thumbprint recipe is a super easy make-ahead recipe that your friends and family are sure to love. Here’s how you can make them! 

Ingredients: 

10 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)

½ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)

½ cup sugar (plus 3 tbsp for rolling)

1 egg (room temperature)

1 tsp vanilla 

1 ¼ cups all purpose flour

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

26–28 Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses

Instructions: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl. 
  3. Combine butter and sugars (minus the 3 tablespoons of sugar for rolling) and mix until light and fluffy.
  4. Mix in the egg and the vanilla.
  5. Add the dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated. 
  6. Roll out even balls of cookie dough. 
  7. Put the 3 additional tablespoons of sugar into a small bowl. Roll each ball of cookie dough in it, and coat the ball fully. Place them on the lined cookie sheet.
  8. Bake the cookies for 6-7 minutes.
  9. Remove the cookies from the oven and press an unwrapped hershey kiss into the top center of each cookie. Allow cookies to cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the cookie sheet and place them on a cooling rack.