There’s truly something magical about making holiday treats for Christmas, isn’t there? I remember the first year I decided to bake with my grandma; the kitchen was filled with the sweet aroma of melting chocolate and warm spices. We’d laugh and sing along to our favorite carols, and by the end of the day, we had trays piled high with cookies, ready to share with friends and family. It was one of those moments that made me fall in love with baking! Trust me, these holiday treats are not just about the delicious flavors; they’re about creating memories. So, let’s dive in and whip up some festive joy together!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans)
How to Prepare Holiday Treats for Christmas
Let’s get those ovens preheated and our baking spirits high! Follow these simple steps to create your delicious holiday treats. I promise, it’s easier than it sounds!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important, so don’t skip it!
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Next, add in the eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition. Then, stir in that lovely vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Give it a little whisk to blend.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until everything is combined. You don’t want to overmix; just a gentle fold will do!
- Now, it’s time for the fun part! Fold in those semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop generous spoonfuls of dough onto a lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until they’re golden brown around the edges. Keep an eye on them; you don’t want to overbake!
- Once done, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to whip up, perfect for busy holiday schedules.
- Deliciously rich flavor with a delightful texture in every bite.
- Great for sharing with friends and family—watch them disappear!
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins, like dried fruits or different nuts.
- Brings the cozy spirit of the holidays right into your kitchen.
Tips for Success
To make sure your holiday treats turn out perfect every time, here are a few of my favorite tips! First, don’t skip chilling the dough for about an hour; it helps the flavors meld and makes the cookies less spread out. Also, make sure your butter is softened properly—this is key for that light, fluffy texture. And, when you’re mixing, remember to scrape down the sides of your bowl to incorporate everything well. Finally, keep an eye on your cookies in the oven; they’ll continue to firm up a bit as they cool, so take them out just when the edges start to turn golden. Happy baking!
Ingredient Notes/Substitutions
When it comes to making these holiday treats, feel free to get creative! If you’re looking to lighten things up, you can substitute half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce. For a nut-free version, simply leave out the chopped nuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. If you’re dairy-free, opt for a plant-based butter or margarine. And for a bit of added flavor, try using brown sugar instead of granulated for a deeper taste. These swaps can make your cookies just as delightful while catering to different dietary needs!
Nutritional Information
Let’s talk nutrition! Keep in mind that these values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. But generally, for one delicious cookie, you can expect around 150 calories, with 7 grams of fat (4 grams saturated), 10 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. They also contain about 20 grams of carbohydrates and 1 gram of fiber. So, while you’re indulging in these delightful holiday treats, you can enjoy them with a bit of balance in mind. Happy munching!
FAQ Section
Can I make these holiday treats ahead of time? Absolutely! These cookies store wonderfully, so you can bake them a few days in advance. Just keep them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
What’s the best way to store my Christmas cookies? To keep your holiday treats at their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to two months—just be sure to thaw them overnight in the fridge before serving!
How can I customize these holiday treats? The options are endless! You can swap in different types of chocolate chips, add dried fruits, or even use flavored extracts like almond or peppermint for a festive twist.
Why did my cookies turn out flat? If your treats spread too much, it could be due to melted butter or not enough flour. Always ensure your butter is softened, not melted, and measure your flour accurately!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your holiday treats is super simple! Just place them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week. If you have leftovers (though I doubt it!), you can freeze them for up to two months. Just make sure to wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap or store them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, thaw them overnight in the fridge. No need to reheat—just enjoy them at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds if you prefer them warm and gooey!
Imprimer
Holiday Treats Christmas: 7 Delightful Recipes to Savor
- Temps Total: 32 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious holiday treats for Christmas celebration.
Ingrédients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.
- Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Can substitute chocolate chips with dried fruits.
- Chill dough for an hour for better texture.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 12 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 10g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 20g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 2g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 20mg
Mots-clés: holiday treats christmas
