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Perfect Christmas Cookies: Festive Holiday Cookie Exchange

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These Perfect Christmas Cookies are soft in the middle, crisp around the edges, and bursting with buttery vanilla and festive spices. Quick, easy, and endlessly adaptable, they’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser for holiday gatherings and cookie swaps.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/4 cup colored sparkling sugar or sanding sugar
  • Holiday sprinkles
  • Royal icing (for decorating, optional)
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients and let butter and egg come to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  4. Mix in egg and vanilla extract (and almond extract, if using) until thoroughly combined.
  5. Gradually add dry mixture to wet, mixing just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips or nuts if desired. Do not overmix.
  6. Cover and chill dough for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  8. Using a medium cookie scoop or two spoons, portion dough into 1-tablespoon balls. Roll in colored sugar or sprinkles. For cut-outs, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and use cookie cutters.
  9. Arrange cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are just set.
  10. Let cookies rest on the sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  11. Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, or festive designs as desired.

Notes

Chilling the dough is essential for shape and texture. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 baking blend; for vegan, swap butter for plant-based margarine and egg for flaxseed ‘egg’. Decorate with colored sugars, sprinkles, or royal icing. Cookies can be made ahead, frozen, and shipped easily. For best results, bake one tray at a time and avoid overmixing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, cookie exchange, festive cookies, easy cookies, vanilla cookies, butter cookies, sugar cookies, baking, holiday dessert

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/perfect-christmas-cookies-15-easy-recipes-for-festive-holiday-cookie-exchange/