3 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes

By Bella Bucchiotti

Baking and cookies are such a big part of the Christmas season. No holiday event is complete without some traditional baked goods. But understandably, sometimes we don’t have the time (or skills) to attempt a complicated recipe. However, don’t worry. These three cookie recipes are some of my no-fail favorite cookies that are a holiday tradition in my family. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! Happy and delicious holiday wishes to you all!

Molasses Cookies

These cookies are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. They are perfect for dipping into a hot beverage. They also freeze well so that you can make them ahead of time and thaw a few at a time as needed.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 Cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 Cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 1/4 Cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tsp. baking soda
• 1 Tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 Tsp. ginger
• 1/2 Tsp. cloves
• 1/4 Tsp. nutmeg

Topping:

• Sugar for coating

Directions

First, in a bowl, combine the sugar, butter, and molasses together. Mix it until it is fluffy. Then, add in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Mix together to combine. Next, cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.

Preheat the oven to 375° degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Then, roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, and then roll each ball in sugar to coat.

Finally, place balls on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Snickerdoodles

You know, I have yet to find someone that doesn’t love the wonderful cinnamon-sugar cookie known as the Snickerdoodle. In fact, when I talked to Carrie about what cookie recipes she’d like to feature here, Snickerdoodles were the first she mentioned! To me, these cookies taste like Christmas. Furthermore, I have heard that they are even Santa’s favorite!

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 Tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 Tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 Cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 Cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 Cup milk
• 1 Tsp. vanilla

Topping:

• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

First, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Then, in a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Set aside. In another bowl, combine the sugar, and butter together. Mix it until it is fluffy.

Next, add the eggs, milk and vanilla and mix to combine. Then, add the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients and mix to incorporate. In another bowl, mix together the topping ingredients.

Form the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in the topping mixture. Place the balls on the baking sheet and flatten with the bottom of a cup.

Finally, sprinkle the tops with a bit of the mixture, and then bake for 7 minutes.

Icebox Shortbread

Shortbread is a classic cookie with a soft, crumbly texture that literally just melts in your mouth. These icebox shortbread cookies are easy to make, slice and bake. It is simple to make ahead, freeze and then slice and bake some before friends arrive. Nothing is better than warm shortbread!

Ingredients

• 2 Cups unsalted butter, softened
• 2 Cups icing sugar, sifted
• 3 egg yolks
• 4 Cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Tsp. vanilla

Directions

First, in a bowl, combine the sugar and butter together. Mix it until it is fluffy. Then, add the egg yolks and vanilla and then mix well to combine. Next, add the flour and mix to incorporate.

Turn the dough out on to the counter and divide into four sections. Turn one quarter out onto the counter that has been lightly dusted with icing sugar. Roll the dough into a cylinder about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Next, wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Once chilled, unwrap a log and slice it into rounds approximately 1/2 inch thick. Finally, place cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.

So, Tell Us…

What is your favorite cookie to bake and eat at Christmas time? Finally, remember – for more holiday recipe ideas, be sure to check out other recent “In The Kitchen with Bella” articles.