The holiday season is a time for celebrating family, creating memories, and indulging in delicious treats. Without a doubt, cookies are a staple during the holidays. Whether you are baking them for Santa, hosting a cookie exchange, or just want something sweet to munch on while sitting by the fire, cookies bring joy to the season. Here are ten delicious holiday cookie recipes to sweeten up your season.
1. Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are a classic holiday treat. They are a great way to get festive with your baking and are easy to make. Ginger is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help support gut health.
Ingredients:
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1 tsp ground ginger
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp ground cloves
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 3/4 cup butter, softened
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 1 egg
– 1/4 cup molasses
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until creamy.
4. Add egg and molasses, beating well.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until well blended.
6. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned
8. Cool on baking sheets for a couple of minutes then transfer to wire racks and let cool completely.
2. Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Chocolate and peppermint are a match made in heaven. These cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1/2 tsp baking soda
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 3/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
– 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
– 6 oz dark chocolate chips
– Crushed candy canes for garnish
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract, beating until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until well blended.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Scoop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set.
9. Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the cookies while still warm.
3. Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles are a classic cookie that are perfect for the holidays. They are coated in cinnamon and sugar and have a light, fluffy texture that is hard to resist. Cinnamon has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help regulate blood sugar.
Ingredients:
– 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 tsp cream of tartar
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 2 eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
– 3 tbsp granulated sugar
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until well blended.
6. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.
7. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
8. Place the balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set.
4. Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
Cranberry and white chocolate are a delicious combination that is perfect for the holidays. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Ingredients:
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 3/4 cup granulated sugar
– 3/4 cup brown sugar
– 2 eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 cup white chocolate chips
– 1 cup dried cranberries
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until well blended.
6. Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
7. Scoop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut Butter Blossoms are a classic holiday cookie that everyone loves. They have a peanut buttery taste and a chocolate Hershey’s kiss in the middle. Peanut butter is a good source of protein and healthy fats.
Ingredients:
– 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
– 1 egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 36 Hershey’s kisses, unwrapped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg and vanilla, beating until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until well blended.
6. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll them in granulated sugar.
7. Place the balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
9. Remove from oven and press a Hershey’s kiss into the center of each cookie while still warm.
6. Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies are a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie spread. They are sandwiched with jam and have a beautiful cutout in the top cookie. They are a great source of healthy fats from the nuts used in the dough.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup ground almonds
– 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup raspberry jam
– Powdered sugar for dusting
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, ground almonds, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg and vanilla, beating until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until well blended.
6. Divide the dough in half and roll out each half on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness.
7. Use a 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles, and a smaller decorative cookie cutter to cut out the center of half of the circles.
8. Place the cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
10. Cool completely on wire racks.
11. Spread raspberry jam over the whole cookies, then top with a cut-out cookie.
12. Dust with powdered sugar.
7. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate crinkle cookies are a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie tray. They have a beautiful cracked surface and are coated in powdered sugar. They are a great source of antioxidants from the cacao powder.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 eggs
– 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until well blended.
6. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
7. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll them in powdered sugar.
8. Place the balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set.
8. Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are a classic holiday treat. They are buttery and crumbly and go great with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Butter is a great source of healthy fats that can be easily utilized by the body.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla, beating until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour, beating until well blended.
6. Roll the dough into a log, about 2 inches in diameter.
7. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
8. Slice the log into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
9. Place the rounds on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
10. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set.
9. Lemon Ricotta Cookies
Lemon ricotta cookies are a great way to add a little brightness to your holiday cookie tray. They are soft and cakey and have a delicious lemon flavor. Lemon is high in vitamin C, which can help support immune system health.
Ingredients:
– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1 tsp salt
– 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 2 eggs
– 15 oz ricotta cheese
– 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
– 1 tsp lemon zest
– 2 cups powdered sugar
– 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
– 1 tsp lemon zest
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs, beating until well combined.
5. Add ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest, beating until well combined.
6. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until well blended.
7. Scoop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
9. Let the cookies cool completely on wire racks.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
11. Drizzle glaze over the cookies.
10. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Oatmeal raisin cookies are a classic cookie that is perfect for the holidays. They have a chewy texture that is hard to resist. Oatmeal is a good source of fiber, which can help support gut health.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 2 eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
– 1 cup raisins
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until well blended.
6. Fold in rolled oats and raisins.
7. Scoop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
9. Let the cookies cool completely on wire racks.
FAQs:
1. Can I use a substitute for the butter in these recipes?
Unfortunately, butter is a key ingredient in all of these recipes, and substituting it can result in a different texture and flavor.
2. Can I use a gluten-free flour in these recipes?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour substitute. Just make sure to use the same amount as listed in the recipe.
3. How long do these cookies last?
Most of these cookies will last for up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature.
4. Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can freeze these cookies. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
5. Can I substitute dried fruit for fresh fruit?
Yes, you can substitute dried fruit for fresh fruit in most of these recipes. Just make sure to chop the dried fruit into small pieces before adding it to the dough.
