The holiday season is synonymous with baking. It’s a time when the air is filled with the sweet scent of freshly baked cookies, and kitchens are buzzing with the warmth of family traditions and new culinary adventures. This holiday season, why not indulge in a selection of irresistible cookies that combine rich flavors, fun colors, and a dash of festive spirit? Whether you’re looking for the deep richness of red velvet, the tang of lemon, or the crunch of walnuts, this collection of cookies is sure to impress. Let’s explore some truly delightful cookie recipes that will elevate your baking game and bring joy to your holiday celebrations.
1. Red Velvet Cookies and Cream Cookies: A Decadent Holiday Delight 🍪❤️
When you think of red velvet, you might imagine a moist cake with a tangy cream cheese frosting. But in this recipe, we turn that iconic dessert into a chewy, soft cookie that’s packed with all the indulgence you could ask for. The mix of white chocolate chips and crushed Oreo cookies in the dough adds delightful textures, creating a cookie that’s as delicious as it is visually stunning.
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: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, then set it aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each. Then, add the vanilla extract and red food coloring.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in the Add-ins: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and crushed Oreo cookies.
- Shape the Cookies: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, ensuring the edges are set while the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
These red velvet cookies combine the best of both worlds – the soft, rich texture of a red velvet cake and the crunch of everyone’s favorite Oreo cookies. They’re perfect for any holiday gathering or a cozy family treat.
2. Pink Velvet Cookies: Sweet, Soft, and Perfectly Pink 💖
If you’re looking for something as beautiful as it is delicious, these pink velvet cookies are the answer. The pretty pink hue, combined with a slight vanilla and white chocolate flavor, makes them a stunning treat for any celebration, whether it’s a baby shower, Valentine’s Day, or simply a fun addition to your cookie platter.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Red or pink gel food coloring
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then mix in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Add Color and Chocolate Chips: Add a few drops of food coloring to achieve your desired pink hue, then fold in the white chocolate chips.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool before transferring them to a wire rack.
These cookies are as light and airy as they are sweet, with a delicate hint of vanilla and a touch of chocolate to elevate the flavor. They’re the perfect balance of color, texture, and sweetness.
3. Caramel-Walnut Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies 🍪🍫
For those who enjoy a bit of salty-sweet magic, these thumbprint cookies are an absolute must. The rich caramel filling, paired with toasted walnuts and melted chocolate, offers a perfect combination of flavors and textures that will leave everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, add the egg yolk and vanilla, and mix in the dry ingredients.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll dough into balls, then use a spoon to make a thumbprint in each cookie. Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking for 16-19 minutes.
- Make the Caramel: In a saucepan, dissolve sugar and cook until golden brown. Carefully stir in cream, bourbon, and butter. Once the caramel is thickened, add the walnuts and chocolate chips.
- Fill the Cookies: Once the cookies are baked and cooled slightly, fill the thumbprints with the caramel mixture.
These thumbprint cookies are a heavenly combination of soft dough, gooey caramel, crunchy walnuts, and silky chocolate.
4. Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cookies: Festive and Fun for the Holidays 🎄❤️
Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without festive treats, and these red velvet Christmas tree cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday dessert table. They’re not only delicious but also make a great activity for the kids as they get involved in decorating their own cookies.
Ingredients:
For the Red Velvet Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Royal Icing:
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
For Decoration:
- Red, green, and white sprinkles
- Edible gold or silver star candies
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: Cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg, vanilla, and food coloring. Mix the dry ingredients, then gradually combine them with the wet mixture. Chill the dough.
- Shape and Bake: Roll out the dough, cut into tree shapes, and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Prepare the Icing: Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar, adding milk and vanilla. Divide and tint one portion green.
- Decorate: Pipe the green icing on the cookies to form trees, then add sprinkles and star candies on top.
These Christmas tree cookies are an ideal holiday treat – they’re visually appealing, easy to decorate, and offer the rich flavor of red velvet combined with sweet cream cheese icing.
5. Cranberry Almond Cookies: Nutty, Sweet, and Chewy 🍪🍒
A delightful combination of tart cranberries and crunchy almonds, these cookies are an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys a balance of sweet and savory in their desserts.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 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:
- Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F and mix the dry ingredients. Cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg and almond extract.
- Add Mix-ins: Fold in the cranberries, almonds, and white chocolate chips.
- Shape and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
These chewy cookies provide the perfect balance of fruity, nutty, and creamy flavors, making them a versatile option for any occasion.
6. Lemon Thumbprint Cookies: A Zesty Twist 🍋
For a refreshing treat, these lemon thumbprint cookies are the way to go. With their buttery base and tangy lemon curd filling, they’re perfect for adding a citrusy burst to your holiday cookie collection.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup lemon curd
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: Cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg yolks and vanilla. Gradually add the flour and salt.
- Shape and Fill: Roll dough into balls, press with your thumb, and fill with lemon curd.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°F.
These cookies are a delightful mix of sweet and tangy, providing a refreshing break from traditional holiday sweets.
Conclusion
With these six cookie recipes, you’re sure to find something for every taste and occasion. From the indulgent richness of red velvet to the refreshing zest of lemon, this collection offers a delicious variety of flavors that will bring smiles to everyone around your table. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or a holiday gathering, these cookies are perfect for spreading joy and creating lasting memories. So preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy some of the most delightful treats this season!