Ah, the holiday season! It’s my absolute favorite time of year, and nothing brings me more joy than baking *easy Christmas cookies*. I remember as a kid, my mom would pull out her old mixing bowl, and we’d spend hours making a glorious mess in the kitchen. Flour would fly everywhere, and the smell of sugar and butter would fill the house. Those moments of laughter and creativity are what I cherish most. Now, I love recreating that magic with my family, whipping up these simple yet delightful cookies that everyone adores. Trust me, if you’re looking for a fun and delicious way to celebrate, these cookies are the way to go! They’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply indulging in while snuggled up by the fire. Let’s get started on bringing that holiday cheer into your home!
Ingredients List
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to cookie magic! For these *easy Christmas cookies*, you’ll need some straightforward staples that you probably already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (make sure it’s nice and creamy for easy mixing!)
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (this adds a lovely depth of flavor)
- 1/4 cup colored sugar for decoration (because who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle?)
These ingredients come together to create cookies that are not only delicious but also fun to decorate! Trust me, you’re going to love how simple and satisfying this list is!
How to Prepare Easy Christmas Cookies
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the fun part—baking those delicious *easy Christmas cookies*! This process is straightforward, so you’ll be enjoying your cookies in no time. Ready? Let’s go!
Preheat and Prepare
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is crucial, as it ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden. While that’s heating up, take a moment to clear and prepare your workspace. A clean counter makes for a happy baker!
Mixing the Ingredients
In a medium bowl, mix together your flour, baking soda, and salt. This is your dry mixture and it’s important to get it just right! In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Make sure everything is well combined. Now, gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix here; you want your cookies to stay light and airy!
Shaping and Baking
Once your dough is ready, it’s time to shape those cookies! Using a tablespoon, drop rounded mounds of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving enough space for them to spread out. Trust me, they’ll puff up beautifully! Before they head into the oven, sprinkle a little colored sugar on top for that festive touch. Bake your cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden. You’ll know they’re done when they look slightly puffed and the edges begin to firm up. Once out of the oven, let them cool on wire racks—if you can resist the temptation to sneak one right away!
Tips for Success
To ensure your *easy Christmas cookies* turn out perfectly every time, here are a few handy tips! First, consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and gives you a firmer texture—plus, it makes handling the dough a breeze!
When it comes to decoration, don’t hold back! You can use icing to create beautiful designs, or add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or even nuts for extra crunch. If you’re feeling extra festive, a drizzle of melted chocolate can elevate them to the next level. Just let your creativity shine! Lastly, remember that baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them towards the end to avoid overbaking. Happy baking!
FAQ Section
I know you might have some questions about making these delightful *easy Christmas cookies*, so let’s tackle a few common ones!
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Absolutely, you can use margarine if you need to! Just keep in mind that it may change the flavor and texture a bit. Margarine can make your cookies a little softer and less rich compared to using unsalted butter. If you do opt for margarine, choose a stick version for the best results, as tub margarine can have added moisture which might affect the dough consistency.
How do I store leftover cookies?
Storing your leftover cookies is super easy! Just place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them! Just make sure to wrap each cookie tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll be good for up to two months, and you can pop them in the fridge overnight to thaw when you’re ready for a sweet treat!
Can I decorate these cookies?
Oh, definitely! Decorating these cookies is one of the best parts! You can use royal icing for a polished look, or simply drizzle melted chocolate over them. Sprinkles, colored sugar, or even edible glitter can add that extra festive flair. Feel free to get creative—use cookie cutters for fun shapes and then decorate them with icing to match your holiday spirit. The options are endless, and it’s a great way to involve the kids too!
Nutritional Information
When it comes to nutrition, keep in mind that it can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. The following information is a general guideline for one cookie:
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Always be sure to check your ingredients for the most accurate nutritional information!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s just something magical about making *easy Christmas cookies* that brings everyone together! Here’s why you’ll adore this recipe:
- Quick preparation—whip them up in about 30 minutes!
- Delicious taste that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
- Perfect for family bonding; kids love helping decorate!
- Simple ingredients that are easy to find.
- Versatile—customize with your favorite decorations!
Trust me, these cookies will fill your home with festive cheer and create sweet memories that last a lifetime!
Imprimer
Easy Christmas Cookies That Spark Joy in 30 Minutes
- Temps Total: 30 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Easy Christmas cookies that are fun to make and delicious to eat.
Ingrédients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup colored sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar together.
- Add egg and extracts to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Sprinkle colored sugar on top of each cookie.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden.
- Cool on wire racks.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- These cookies can be decorated with icing.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes for a firmer cookie.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 10 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 10g
- De Sodium: 100mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 20g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 1g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 20mg
Mots-clés: easy christmas cookies
