5 Christmas Cookie Recipes to Make Your Holidays Extra Sweet
The holidays are the perfect time to whip up some festive cookies! These recipes are not just delicious but also fun to make, with classic flavors, a bit of sparkle, and plenty of Christmas spirit. Gather your family, cozy up by the oven, and let’s bake some joy into your holiday season!
1. Classic Gingerbread Men Recipe
These spiced, soft gingerbread cookies are a holiday staple! Decorate them with royal icing for a fun, festive look.
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup packed brown sugar
¾ cup molasses
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp nutmeg
¾ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, cream the sugar and molasses with the egg and vanilla until smooth.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in a separate bowl.
3. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, then chill dough for 1 hour.
4. Roll out on a floured surface to ¼ inch thick and cut with gingerbread men cutters.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. Decorate once cool.
2. Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Soft, buttery sugar cookies that are perfect for cutting into festive shapes and decorating with royal icing or sprinkles.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Instructions:
1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add egg and vanilla.
2. Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
3. Chill dough for 30 minutes, then roll out on a floured surface and cut with Christmas-shaped cookie cutters.
4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, then decorate with icing or sprinkles.
3. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Chocolatey and minty, these crinkle cookies have a rich, brownie-like texture and are perfect with a cup of hot cocoa.
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp peppermint extract
Powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
1. Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and peppermint extract.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then chill dough for 1 hour.
4. Roll dough into balls, then roll in powdered sugar.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes.
4. Snowball Cookies Recipe
Also known as Russian tea cakes, these delicate, buttery cookies with chopped nuts and powdered sugar make any cookie tray extra festive.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions:
1. Cream butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Gradually add flour, then stir in nuts.
3. Roll dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes.
5. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar and coat again once cooled.
5. Cinnamon Star Cookies (Zimtsterne) Recipe
These classic German Christmas cookies are chewy, almond-based, and full of cinnamon flavor. They’re gluten-free and naturally festive!
Ingredients:
2 large egg whites
1½ cups powdered sugar
2 cups almond flour
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions:
1. Whisk egg whites to stiff peaks, then gradually add powdered sugar until glossy.
2. Set aside ⅓ cup of the meringue for the glaze, and fold the rest with almond flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
3. Roll dough between parchment to ¼ inch thick, then cut with star-shaped cookie cutters.
4. Brush with reserved meringue, and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 10-12 minutes.
Tips for Holiday Cookie Baking Bliss
Chill the dough: It helps the cookies keep their shape and makes rolling easier.
Don’t overbake: Many cookies finish baking on the tray after being pulled from the oven, so pull them just before they look fully baked.
Use room temperature ingredients: Butter and eggs at room temperature blend better and create a smoother dough.
Have fun decorating! Use colored icing, edible glitter, and sprinkles for that extra festive flair.
Store for freshness: Keep cookies in airtight containers and separate layers with parchment paper.
For more recipes, tips, and all things delicious, be sure to visit SassyMomKitchen.com—your home for sassy, fun, and cool meal and recipe Ideas!
