Deck the halls with festive cookies! These Christmas recipes, from Traditional Gingerbread to Raspberry Linzer Cookies, promise the essence of the holiday season. Baking tips ensure perfect batches. Serve these delightful treats with mulled wine or alongside hot beverages to create joyful memories during the season's festivities.
As we approach the Christmas season, the delightful scent of baked cookies and biscuits fills the air bringing warmth and joy to our hearts. Baking during this time is not about indulging in delicious treats; it's about creating lasting memories, sharing love and immersing ourselves in the holiday spirit. In this article, we dive into the enchanting world of Christmas cookies and present a collection of impressive recipes that home bakers can confidently master. From timeless gingerbread to flavors, these recipes are guaranteed to sprinkle a bit of magic throughout your holiday season.
Recipe 1: Traditional Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter (at room temperature)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
- In a bowl, cream butter and brown sugar, until fluffy. Beat the egg and mix in the molasses.
- Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the mixture.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Cut it into shapes.
- Place the shaped dough, on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Allow them to cool down before you start decorating.
Recipe 2: Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 2 cups of granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons of peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk together oil, granulated sugar, eggs and peppermint extract.
- Gradually add in the ingredients while mixing.
- Refrigerate the dough for four hours.
- Shape the dough into balls. Coat them with confectioners’ sugar.
- Bake for around 10 to 12 minutes.
- Let them cool, before serving.
Recipe 3: Almond Snowball Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- Finely chopped almonds (about 1 cup)
- Powdered sugar for coating (extra)
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream together butter and ½ cup powdered sugar, until fluffy.
- Mix in flour, salt, and almonds together until well combined.
- Shape the dough into balls 1 inch in size and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Until they turn slightly golden.
- While the cookies are still warm, roll them in sugar to coat them evenly.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before rolling them in sugar again.
Recipe 4: Spiced Orange Shortbread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 cup of unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- The zest of one orange
- One teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- A quarter teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to a temperature of 350°F (175°C).
- Mix together the all-purpose flour, sugar, orange zest, cinnamon powder and nutmeg in a bowl.
- Incorporate the butter until the mixture resembles crumbs.
- Shape the dough into a flat form and cut it into various shapes.
- Place it in the oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow them to cool on a wire rack.
Recipe 5: Raspberry Linzer Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of unsalted softened butter
- 2/3 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Raspberry jam for filling
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine both flours, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar then add the egg and vanilla.
- Gradually, incorporate the flour mixture until well combined.
- Chill the dough for one hour before rolling it out and cutting it into shapes ensuring that half of them have cutouts.
- Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Until they turn lightly golden.
- Allow them to cool completely before spreading raspberry jam onto one side of each cookie and topping them with their cutout cookies. Finally, dust with sugar.
Here are some helpful tips and tricks for baking cookies:
- Make sure to measure your ingredients to ensure the balance of flavors.
- If the dough becomes too sticky, chill it for a while before handling it.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before you start decorating them.
- To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container.
When it comes to serving these cookies as a side dish, they pair wonderfully with beverages such as chocolate, tea or coffee. For a festive touch, consider serving them alongside mulled wine or eggnog.
In conclusion, Christmas is a time for indulgence and what better way to celebrate than by baking a batch of cookies? These recipes offer a combination of flavors and textures that're perfect for the holiday season. Whether you're new to baking or an experienced baker, these festive biscuits and cookies are guaranteed to impress your family and friends. So, go ahead preheat your oven and start spreading some holiday cheer with these treats!