Best Ever Christmas Cookies Recipes
Introduction
Christmas is a time for joy, love, and of course, delicious treats! And what better way to spread holiday cheer than with a batch of freshly baked Christmas cookies? Whether you’re looking to impress your loved ones or simply enjoy a cozy night in, these best ever Christmas cookie recipes are sure to delight your taste buds and bring a smile to your face.
Ingredients
– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– Assorted holiday-themed sprinkles or colored sugar, for decoration (optional)
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a disk. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
8. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and transfer them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
9. If desired, decorate the cookies with sprinkles or colored sugar before baking.
10. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
11. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Repeat steps 7-11 with the remaining portion of dough.
13. Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
Estimated Cooking Time and Serving Size
This best ever Christmas cookie recipe takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to prepare, including chilling time. The recipe yields about 2-3 dozen cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
So gather your loved ones, put on some festive music, and get ready to indulge in these delightful Christmas cookies. Happy baking and Merry Christmas!