The holidays are upon us, and that means one thing: cookie exchanges! Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, the joy of sharing homemade treats with friends and family is unmatched. This year, ditch the store-bought cookies and impress everyone with these easy and delicious Christmas cookie exchange recipes. These recipes are perfect for beginners, requiring minimal ingredients and simple techniques, yet delivering maximum flavor and festive cheer. Get ready to become the star baker of your holiday gathering!
Classic Sugar Cookies: A Holiday Staple
These sugar cookies are a timeless classic, perfect for decorating and sharing. Their simple recipe makes them ideal for even the busiest holiday schedules, ensuring you have plenty of time for other festive activities.
Yields: Approximately 2 dozen cookies Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 8-10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Your favorite sprinkles and frosting for decorating
Instructions:
- Cream together butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is easiest with an electric mixer.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
- Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, decorate with your favorite frosting and sprinkles.
Tips for Success:
- For perfectly shaped cookies, use a sharp cookie cutter.
- Don't overbake the cookies, or they will be dry.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating.
Variations:
- Gingerbread Sugar Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the dough for a festive twist.
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Add ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a rich chocolate flavor.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: 100-120
- Fat: 5-7g
- Sugar: 7-9g
This recipe provides a foundation for quick dinner ideas and delicious dishes that the whole family will love. Enjoy the process of making these easy and healthy meals and the satisfaction of sharing your homemade treats! Remember to adapt the recipe to your preferences and dietary needs. Happy baking!