The holiday season is a time for family gatherings, festive decorations, and, of course, delicious treats! Among the many special desserts prepared for Christmas, cookies take center stage. From the rich, buttery flavors to the delightful textures, these cookies bring warmth and joy to any holiday celebration. Below are six unique Christmas cookie recipes that will make your kitchen smell like a winter wonderland and your family and friends smile with every bite.
1. Red Velvet Cookies and Cream Cookies
For those who love the iconic red velvet flavor, these Red Velvet Cookies and Cream Cookies are a must-try! A perfect blend of soft, chewy texture with a hint of cocoa and a burst of Oreo goodness, these cookies are a delightful treat that captures the spirit of the season.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups white granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies (about 8-10 Oreos)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and red food coloring, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
- Fold in the Add-ins: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and crushed Oreo cookies until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape the Cookies: Use a tablespoon or a cookie scoop to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. The dough will spread slightly during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
- For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle some melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies.
- If you prefer a thicker cookie, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
These Red Velvet Cookies and Cream Cookies are the perfect holiday treat, combining the flavors of red velvet cake and classic Oreo cookies into a soft, chewy bite.
2. Christmas Butter Cookies
These Christmas Butter Cookies are simple yet elegant, with a rich, buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. Their sweet, subtle taste and festive shapes make them a perfect addition to your holiday cookie platter.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 egg yolks
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- Optional: melted chocolate & sprinkles for decoration
Instructions:
- Mix Flour and Salt: In a bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Add the egg yolks one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Flour Mixture: Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Add milk as necessary for consistency.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a piping bag or a spoon, pipe 1½-inch swirls onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Decorate: Cool the cookies, then dip them in melted chocolate and sprinkle with festive decorations, if desired.
These buttery cookies are a classic holiday favorite, perfect for gifting or enjoying with a hot drink by the fireplace.
3. White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Balls
For a slightly indulgent twist, try these White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Balls. They are creamy, tart, and packed with the delicious combination of white chocolate and fresh raspberries.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen (thawed)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Cream the Cream Cheese: In a bowl, cream the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Melt the White Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until fully melted. Allow to cool slightly.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix the melted white chocolate, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt into the cream cheese mixture until smooth.
- Fold in the Raspberries: Gently fold in the raspberries, taking care not to mash them.
- Refrigerate: Chill the mixture for 30-60 minutes until firm enough to roll into balls.
- Shape the Cheesecake Balls: Scoop out portions of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls.
- Coat with Graham Cracker Crumbs: Roll each ball in graham cracker crumbs until fully coated.
- Chill: Place the cheesecake balls on a baking sheet and chill for another 30 minutes.
These cheesecake balls are a sweet, creamy treat that combines the richness of white chocolate and the tartness of raspberries—perfect for your holiday dessert table.
4. Cranberry Almond Cookies
These Cranberry Almond Cookies are perfect for a festive touch. Packed with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy almonds, and a hint of almond extract, these cookies will be a hit with anyone who loves a chewy, flavorful treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and almond extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the cranberries, almonds, and white chocolate chips.
- Shape the Cookies: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack.
These cookies have the perfect balance of tart cranberries and crunchy almonds, with an optional touch of white chocolate to make them even more indulgent.
5. Raspberry Almond Shortbread Cookies
These Raspberry Almond Shortbread Cookies are buttery and rich with a sweet raspberry jam center, making them a festive and flavorful treat that’s perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup raspberry jam
- For the Almond Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tsp almond extract
- 2-3 tsp water
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dough: Beat together the butter, sugar, and almond extract. Gradually add the flour and mix until fully incorporated.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the baking sheet. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each ball and fill it with raspberry jam.
- Bake: Bake for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown at the edges. Let the cookies cool before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Make the Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, almond extract, and water until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled cookies.
These raspberry almond shortbread cookies are a delightful mix of buttery shortbread, tangy jam, and sweet almond glaze.
6. Italian Christmas Cookies
Colorful, sweet, and full of holiday cheer, these Italian Christmas Cookies are the epitome of festive spirit. Their soft texture and delicate flavor, topped with a sugary glaze and sprinkles, will brighten up any holiday gathering.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, place them on the baking sheet, and gently flatten them with the bottom of a glass. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Glaze and Decorate: Mix the powdered sugar with milk to create a glaze. Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze and decorate with sprinkles.
These Italian Christmas Cookies bring festive flavor and joy to every holiday celebration with their soft texture and sweet, colorful decorations.
Conclusion
These six Christmas cookie recipes are the perfect way to share love and joy with your family and friends during the holiday season. Whether you prefer classic flavors like buttery shortbread or adventurous combinations like red velvet and Oreos, these cookies are sure to add sweetness to your celebrations.