The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than with a batch of delicious, homemade Christmas cookies? These aren't your average cookies; we're talking about festive, sprinkle-loaded delights that will bring joy to bakers of all skill levels. Get ready to unleash your inner chef and create some truly magical Christmas treats! This recipe is perfect for quick dinner ideas or a fun holiday activity with the family. These easy recipes will have you whipping up batches in no time, creating delicious dishes perfect for sharing.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Assorted Christmas sprinkles (red, green, silver, gold – get creative!)
Instructions:
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. This is easiest with an electric mixer, but you can certainly do it by hand if you’re feeling ambitious!
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving on.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay!
Step 4: Incorporate the Sprinkles
Now for the fun part! Gently fold in your Christmas sprinkles until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, enjoy your beautiful, sprinkle-covered Christmas cookies!
Tips for Cookie Success:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted. This will ensure that it creams properly with the sugar.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Baking Time Varies: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust baking time as needed.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough along with the sprinkles.
- Gingerbread Sprinkle Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Royal Icing Decoration: Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate them with royal icing and even more sprinkles!
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: 150-200
- Fat: 8-10g
- Sugar: 15-20g
These homemade Christmas cookies are guaranteed to be a hit at your holiday gatherings. They're a fun and easy way to get into the festive spirit, and the possibilities for customization are endless! Enjoy baking and happy holidays!