Ah, the holiday season! There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house, isn’t there? My *cookie christmas* recipe is one of my absolute favorites, and it’s become a cherished tradition in my family. Every year, my kids and I gather in the kitchen, flour flying everywhere, as we mix, scoop, and bake. We laugh, we sing along to our favorite festive tunes, and before long, the kitchen is filled with the warmth of chocolatey goodness and the sweet scent of vanilla. These cookies not only taste incredible, but they also bring a cozy, festive spirit to our gatherings and create memories that last a lifetime. Trust me, you’re going to love making these!
Ingredients List
To make my delightful *cookie christmas*, you’ll need the following ingredients. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing, and if you choose to add nuts, they should be chopped into small pieces to blend perfectly into the dough.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
How to Prepare Instructions
Making my *cookie christmas* is simple and oh-so-rewarding! Let’s get started with these easy steps:
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because starting with a hot oven ensures your cookies bake evenly and get that lovely golden edge.
- While the oven is heating up, grab a medium bowl and whisk together 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. This helps to distribute the baking soda evenly throughout the flour, which is key for proper rising.
- In a larger mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. I like to beat this mixture until it’s light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. It’s a bit of an arm workout, but totally worth it!
- Next, add in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 2 large eggs, one at a time. Mix well after each addition. This will help to incorporate those lovely flavors and create a smooth batter.
- Now, gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients. I usually do this in three parts, mixing gently after each addition until just combined. You want to avoid overmixing to keep those cookies tender!
- Here comes the fun part! Fold in 2 cups of chocolate chips and, if you’re using them, 1 cup of chopped nuts. This is where you can really personalize your cookies!
- Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving enough space between each to allow for spreading.
- Bake these beauties in your preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The centers might look a little soft, but don’t worry—they’ll firm up as they cool!
- Once done, cool them on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks. This helps them set perfectly!
And there you have it! The most delightful *cookie christmas* ready to be devoured. Enjoy every bite and the joy they bring to your holiday festivities!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
- The delightful blend of flavors—rich chocolate, sweet vanilla, and a hint of salt—will have everyone coming back for more.
- Versatile enough to customize with your favorite mix-ins like nuts, dried fruits, or different types of chocolate chips!
- These cookies fill your home with a festive aroma, instantly elevating your holiday spirit.
- They make a fantastic gift or addition to any holiday dessert platter, spreading joy to friends and family.
Nutritional Information
Each delightful *cookie christmas* packs about 150 calories, with 7 grams of fat and 2 grams of protein. You’ll also find around 20 grams of carbohydrates and 10 grams of sugar in every cookie. Remember, these values are estimates based on standard ingredients, so if you make any substitutions, the nutrition might vary a bit. Enjoy the festive treats without a worry!
Tips for Success
To ensure your *cookie christmas* turns out perfectly every time, here are my top tips! First, be sure to use high-quality chocolate chips—they make all the difference in flavor. As for baking times, keep an eye on your cookies; they can go from perfect to overdone quickly, so check them at the 10-minute mark. If you prefer a softer cookie, take them out when they’re just golden at the edges. For storage, let the cookies cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and chewy for days, though I doubt they’ll last that long!
Variations
If you want to get creative with your *cookie christmas*, here are some fun ideas to switch things up! First, try using different types of chocolate chips—dark, white, or even peanut butter chips can bring a new twist to the flavor. You can also toss in some dried fruits like cranberries or cherries for a festive touch that pairs beautifully with the chocolate. Feeling nutty? Swap out the chopped nuts for pecans or walnuts, or even leave them out altogether if you prefer a nut-free version. The possibilities are endless, so have fun experimenting and make these cookies your own!
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to enjoying my *cookie christmas*, the possibilities are endless! I love serving these scrumptious cookies alongside a steaming cup of hot cocoa, topped with marshmallows for that extra cozy touch. If you’re a coffee lover, a rich espresso pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the cookies, creating a delightful balance. For a festive gathering, consider arranging them on a holiday dessert platter with other treats like peppermint bark and gingerbread cookies. You can even add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious cookie à la mode! Trust me, these cookies will shine no matter how you serve them!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delightful *cookie christmas* fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain their chewy texture and keep them from drying out. If you want to keep them for a longer period, you can freeze the cookies! Just place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll stay good for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply thaw them at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds. This will bring back that warm, fresh-baked goodness that we all love!
FAQ Section
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While you can use margarine, I highly recommend sticking with unsalted butter for the best flavor and texture in your *cookie christmas*. Trust me, the richness of butter makes all the difference!
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance, scoop it onto baking sheets, and then freeze the dough balls. Just bake them straight from the freezer when you’re ready to enjoy fresh cookies!
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Keep an eye on the edges! Your cookies are done when the edges are golden brown, and the centers might look slightly soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a bit underbaked!
Can I add more chocolate chips?
Of course! Feel free to add more chocolate chips if you want an extra chocolaty treat. Just make sure you don’t overdo it, or the cookies might lose their shape!
What if I don’t have chocolate chips?
No problem! You can substitute with chopped chocolate bars, or even try using dried fruits or toffee bits for a fun twist on your *cookie christmas*!
Cookie Christmas: 7 Steps to Holiday Bliss
- Temps Total: 27 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious Christmas cookies perfect for the holiday season.
Ingrédients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda.
- In another bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt until smooth.
- Add vanilla and eggs to the butter mixture, mixing well.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden.
- Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- You can use different types of chocolate chips.
- Try adding festive sprinkles for decoration.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 10-12 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: 1g
- La protéine: 2g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 20mg
Mots-clés: cookie, christmas, holiday, dessert
