What is it about Christmas cookies that turn ordinary folks like you and us into cookie-baking fanatics every December? One minute we couldn't tell the difference between sugar and flour, the next we were pulling five kinds of festive baked goods out of the oven—burnt edges and all—encouraging our families to "just try one more." Maybe we think starring in our own Hallmark holiday movie requires fresh-from-the-oven treats. Or perhaps we harbor secret hopes of channeling our inner Martha Stewart with beautifully decorated sugar cookies worthy of Pinterest (never mind that our icing skills make the cookies look like they got into a street fight).
Whatever the reason, Christmas + cookies = crazy in the kitchen, are we right? Well, friends, have no fear. Ahead, we'll be sharing our tried-and-true recipes for the best Christmas cookies even the crummiest baker can pull off. We're talking cookies you can feel good about serving guests because they actually taste like you know what you're doing! Between you and us, most of these require convenient pre-made dough and decorating with whatever candies you have gathering dust in your pantry. Shhh...don't tell!
From Sparkly Pretzel Snowflakes for those of us who confused salt for sugar on more than one occasion to Easy Icing Sugar Trees that your little helpers can decorate themselves, these cookies will have you embracing—not cursing—your inner amateur baker. Because isn't Christmas really about spending time with your people and making memories together, not cookie perfection? Exactly.
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Gingerbread Cookies
What's not to love about gingerbread cookies? They're spicy, sweet, and perfect for holiday baking. But have you ever wondered how these tasty treats came to be?
Gingerbread cookies have been around for centuries, and their origin is a bit of a mystery. Some believe that they originated in Greece, while others believe they originated in Germany. Either way, these cookies have a long and delicious history.
Get the Gingerbread Cookies recipe.
Snowball Cookies
Delicious, fluffy Snowball Cookies are a Christmas staple! These easy cookies are made with just a few simple ingredients and come together in a snap. But the best part about these cookies is that they're absolutely perfect for any occasion.
Whether you're looking for a festive treat to share at a holiday party or a simple sweet to enjoy with your family, Snowball Cookies are the way to go. And if you're feeling really adventurous, you can even add a little flair to your cookies by decorating them with festive sprinkles or icing.
Get the Snowball Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
There's nothing like a warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. The perfect chocolate chip cookie is crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and packed with chocolate chips.
And while there are plenty of chocolate chip cookie recipes out there, not all of them are created equal. So how do you find the best chocolate chip cookie recipe?
Here are a few tips:
- Start with a quality recipe. A good chocolate chip cookie recipe will have a balance of brown sugar and granulated sugar, as well as butter and eggs.
- Don't be afraid to experiment. If you want a crispier cookie, add a little less flour. If you want a softer cookie, add a little more.
- Be careful not to overbake. Chocolate chip cookies should be golden brown, not dark brown.
- Use good-quality chocolate chips. They make a big difference in the flavor of the cookie.
Follow these tips, and you'll be well on your way to making the best chocolate chip cookies ever.
Get the Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Candy Cane Cookies
With Christmas just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about all of the delicious holiday treats you'll want to bake! One of our favorites is candy cane cookies. These cookies are so festive and perfect for the holiday season.
If you've never made candy cane cookies before, don't worry - they're actually really easy to make! The key is to get the candy cane flavor just right. We like to use a combination of peppermint extract and crushed candy canes. This gives the cookies a nice minty flavor with a little bit of sweetness from the candy canes.
Once you've got the flavor sorted, the rest is easy. Just mix up a batch of your favorite sugar cookie dough, roll it into balls, and then press a candy cane into the top of each one. Bake the cookies until they're just set, and then let them cool.
These candy cane cookies are the perfect addition to any holiday cookie plate! They're also great for giving as gifts. Just package them up in a cute cellophane bag and tie them with a bow. Everyone will love these festive treats!
Get the Candy Cane Cookies recipe.
Sugar Cookies
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and, of course, sugar cookies! No matter how you decorate them, these festive cookies are always a hit.
Whether you like them plain or adorned with frosting and sprinkles, sugar cookies are a classic Christmas treat. But have you ever wondered where they came from?
Some say that sugar cookies date back to the 7th century when Persian monks would bake them as a treat for children. Others believe that German immigrants brought the recipe to America in the 18th century.
Whatever their origin, sugar cookies have become a beloved holiday tradition. And there's no better time to enjoy them than Christmas!
Get the Sugar Cookies recipe.
Snickerdoodles
What’s not to love about snickerdoodles? They’re soft, they’re chewy, they’re full of cinnamon-sugar goodness. And they’re the perfect cookie for Christmas.
To make snickerdoodles, you start with a basic sugar cookie dough. Then you roll it into balls, coat it in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, and bake. That’s it!
If you’re feeling extra festive, you can even add a little bit of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Or, if you want to get really creative, you can add some chocolate chips or other mix-ins to the dough before you roll it into balls.
Get the Snickerdoodles recipe.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut Butter Blossoms are made with peanut butter, sugar, and flour and then dipped in chocolate. They're perfect for any holiday gathering or just for a special treat. If you've never made Peanut Butter Blossoms before, don't worry! They're actually quite easy to make. The most important thing is to use good quality peanut butter, as this will make all the difference in the flavor of the cookies.
We also like to use chocolate that has a high cocoa content for dipping, as this makes the cookies extra rich and decadent. These Peanut Butter Blossoms are best enjoyed with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. They'll keep for a week or so in an airtight container, but we bet they won't last that long!
Get the Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe.
Christmas Tree Cookies
These cookies are made to look like miniature Christmas trees and are often decorated with green frosting, red candies, and white sprinkles.
They are relatively easy to make and only require a few basic ingredients. The dough is made from scratch, using flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. Once the dough is prepared, it is rolled out and cut into small Christmas tree shapes.
After the cookies are baked, they are then decorated with green frosting, red candies, and white sprinkles. This is what gives them their Christmassy look.
Get the Christmas Tree Cookies recipe.
