As the holiday season rolls around, there’s nothing more comforting than the warm smell of freshly baked cookies filling the home. Whether you’re planning to share them with loved ones, gift them to friends, or indulge in them yourself, these 8 delicious cookie recipes promise to bring joy to any celebration. From the tart sweetness of cranberries to the rich, decadent combination of chocolate and peanut butter, these cookies are sure to impress. Let’s dive into the details of each recipe and discover the perfect treats for your holiday season.
1. Cranberry Christmas Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions: Cranberry Christmas Cookies are a festive favorite, combining the tartness of dried cranberries with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate. To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon, then gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined, but be careful not to overwork the dough. Once the dough is ready, gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips for a beautiful, colorful mix.
Using a tablespoon, scoop out the dough and place it on the prepared baking sheet, spacing the dough balls about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the perfect Cranberry Christmas Cookies:
- For an extra festive touch, drizzle the cooled cookies with white chocolate or add a sprinkle of coarse sugar before baking.
- Dried cherries or raisins can be used as substitutes for cranberries, offering a different twist on this classic recipe.
- Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
2. Buckeye Brownie Cookies
Ingredients:
- For the cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For the peanut butter filling:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the chocolate coating:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions: Buckeye Brownie Cookies combine two iconic treats: brownies and peanut butter buckeyes. Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and granulated sugar, followed by the eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture is smooth. In another bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, and salt, then gradually fold them into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set. Once baked, cool the cookies on a wire rack.
Next, prepare the peanut butter filling by blending the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and softened butter until smooth. Once the cookies have cooled, roll small balls of the peanut butter mixture and place them in the center of each cookie.
For the chocolate coating, melt the chocolate chips and vegetable oil in the microwave until smooth, then dip each peanut butter-filled cookie into the chocolate. Place the cookies back on the baking sheet and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
Enjoy these delectable Buckeye Brownie Cookies, where every bite is a delightful combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and a rich brownie base!
3. Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- 1 tbsp orange zest
Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions: The tangy flavor of cranberries paired with the richness of ricotta cheese and a touch of orange zest makes these cookies stand out. Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In one bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the ricotta cheese, egg, and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined, then gently fold in the chopped cranberries and orange zest.
Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.
Optional: Dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a beautiful, sweet finish. These cookies are a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and creamy!
4. Milky Coconut Biscuits for Kids
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup self-raising flour
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 3 Tbsp milk powder
- 2 Tbsp liquid milk
Instructions: Milky Coconut Biscuits are a delightful treat for children, offering a mild, creamy flavor combined with the tropical essence of coconut. Begin by creaming the butter and icing sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the desiccated coconut, flour, and milk powder, mixing until combined. Slowly add the liquid milk, adjusting the consistency of the dough as necessary—if the dough is sticky, sprinkle some flour; if too dry, add a bit more milk.
Scoop the dough into small balls using a spoon or ice cream scoop, and roll each ball in desiccated coconut. Place them on a prepared baking tray, using a fork to create a pattern on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C for about 18 minutes, or until golden brown.
These Milky Coconut Biscuits are a fun, easy-to-make treat for kids, and they’re guaranteed to be a hit with the little ones.
5. Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions: Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Cookies are a luxurious treat, combining the soft, chewy goodness of a chocolate cookie with a rich, creamy cheesecake filling. Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt before adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips.
For the cheesecake filling, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Scoop 2 tablespoons of the cookie dough and flatten it in your hands. Place a teaspoon of the cheesecake filling in the center and wrap the dough around it to form a ball. Place the stuffed dough balls on the baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
These cookies are perfect for anyone who loves a combination of chocolate and cheesecake—decadent and irresistible!
6. Frosted Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- Blue food coloring
- Silver or white sanding sugar
- Edible silver pearls
Instructions: These Frosted Snowflake Sugar Cookies are perfect for any winter celebration. Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then mix in the egg and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients and form a dough. Divide the dough into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least an hour.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into snowflake shapes and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are golden. Cool the cookies on a wire rack.
To frost, beat together the powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Add blue food coloring for a festive touch and frost the cooled cookies. Sprinkle with sanding sugar and edible pearls for a shimmering effect. Allow the frosting to set before serving.
These cookies will bring a winter wonderland to your dessert table!
Conclusion: From the tartness of cranberries to the creaminess of cheesecake, these 8 cookie recipes offer a variety of textures, flavors, and festive cheer. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, gifting a batch to a friend, or simply enjoying the season with a cozy treat, these recipes will be sure to satisfy every sweet tooth. Happy baking, and may your holiday season be filled with the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies!