Oh, the holidays! For me, it’s not truly Christmas until the kitchen smells like cinnamon and sugar. These Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas are my absolute go-to. Honestly, they’re a lifesaver when you want that homemade touch without all the fuss. I remember one year, it was Christmas Eve, and I’d completely forgotten about cookies for Santa! I whipped up a batch of these in under an hour, and they were a huge hit. They’re just so ridiculously easy, which is exactly what you need when you’re trying to wrap gifts and keep the festive cheer going. Seriously, if you’re looking for a foolproof, delicious cookie that screams Christmas, you’ve found it!
Why You’ll Love These Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas
Honestly, these cookies are a dream for so many reasons! They come together super fast, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season.
- Quick Prep: You can have them mixed and ready to bake in about 20 minutes.
- Minimal Ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need in your pantry!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a classic, sweet cookie, and these are always a hit.
- Beginner Friendly: Seriously, if you’re new to baking, these are the perfect place to start. No fancy techniques needed!
Gather Your Ingredients for Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas
Alright, let’s get everything ready! The beauty of these Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas is that they use pretty basic stuff you probably already have. First up, you’ll need 2 cups of all-purpose flour, and it’s a good idea to sift it if you can, but don’t stress if you can’t. Then, grab 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to make sure they bake up just right. For the creamy base, you’ll need 1 cup of unsalted butter, and make sure it’s softened – not melted, but soft enough that you can easily press your finger into it. We also need 1 cup of granulated sugar for that classic sweetness. Don’t forget 2 large eggs, preferably at room temperature so they mix in better, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for that yummy flavor. Oh, and if you want that extra festive touch, have some powdered sugar for dusting and Christmas sprinkles handy, but they’re totally optional!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas
That softened butter is super important, seriously! It’s way easier to cream with the sugar, which gives the cookies their lovely texture. If your butter is too cold, just pop it in the microwave for like, 10 seconds, but watch it closely! If you need an egg substitute, you can try a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) or even a bit of applesauce. For flour, if you’re going gluten-free, a good 1-to-1 baking blend usually works pretty well, though the texture might be a little different. Just remember, the simpler, the better with these!
How to Prepare Your Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas
Alright, let’s get these gorgeous Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas made! It’s really not complicated at all, I promise. First things first, we need to get that oven nice and toasty. Go ahead and preheat it to 350°F (that’s 175°C). While it’s warming up, grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This is my secret weapon for easy cleanup and making sure the cookies don’t stick. Seriously, it makes life so much easier!
Mixing the Cookie Dough
Now for the fun part – making the dough! In one bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Just a quick whisk to get them all friendly. In a BIGGER bowl, cream together that softened butter and the sugar. You want to beat them until they look light and fluffy, almost like pale yellow clouds. This is where the magic starts! Next, beat in your eggs one at a time, making sure each one is mixed in before you add the next. Then, stir in that lovely vanilla extract. Now, slowly add your dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix it all up until it’s *just* combined. Please, please, please don’t overmix! We want tender cookies, not tough ones. A few streaks of flour are totally fine.
Shaping and Baking Your Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas
Okay, the dough is ready! If it feels a little soft to handle, don’t worry, just pop the bowl in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes. It makes scooping so much easier! Once it’s a good consistency, use a tablespoon to drop rounded scoops of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between them because they’ll spread out a bit. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just lightly golden. They might not look fully done in the middle, but that’s okay – they’ll finish cooking as they cool.
Cooling and Decorating Your Festive Treats
Once they’re out of the oven, let the cookies hang out on the baking sheets for a few minutes. This lets them firm up a bit. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Trying to decorate warm cookies is a recipe for melted-on frosting disasters! Once they’re totally cool, you can get creative. A light dusting of powdered sugar looks so pretty and classic, or go wild with Christmas sprinkles for that extra festive sparkle. They look so cheerful!
Tips for Perfect Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas
To make sure these Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas turn out absolutely perfect every time, a few little tricks really help. If your dough feels a bit too soft to scoop nicely, just pop it in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes. It makes a huge difference! When you’re baking, try to use the same size scoop for each cookie so they all bake evenly. Don’t overbake them; pulling them out when the edges are just golden is key to that soft, chewy center. And for storage, an airtight container is your best friend to keep them fresh for days!
Serving and Storing Your Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas
These Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas are just begging to be served with a tall glass of milk or a warm mug of cocoa. They’re perfect for a cookie platter, a little treat with your afternoon tea, or of course, left out for Santa! If you happen to have any leftovers (which I highly doubt!), just pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay wonderfully fresh at room temperature for about 4 to 5 days. No need to reheat them, really, but if you wanted to, a few seconds in a low oven or microwave would do the trick, though honestly, they’re best enjoyed just as they are!
Frequently Asked Questions about Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas
Got questions about these easy holiday treats? I’ve got answers!
Q1: Can I make the dough ahead of time for these simple Christmas cookies for Christmas?
Absolutely! You can totally make the dough a day or two in advance. Just wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit out for a few minutes to soften up a bit before scooping. It’s a great way to get a head start!
Q2: How long do these simple Christmas cookies for Christmas stay fresh?
They stay pretty fresh for about 4 to 5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The trick is making sure they’re completely cool before you seal them up. Honestly, though, they usually disappear way before that!
Q3: Can I freeze the cookie dough for these simple Christmas cookies for Christmas?
You sure can! Freezing the dough is a fantastic idea. Just scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time. Perfect for those last-minute baking emergencies!
Nutritional Information for Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas
Just a friendly reminder that all the nutritional details for these Simple Christmas Cookies for Christmas are estimates. They can really change depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use, like the butter or flour, and how big you make your cookies. So, think of these numbers as a general guide rather than exact science!
Amazing Simple Christmas Cookies: 10 Min Prep
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy and delicious Christmas cookies perfect for holiday baking.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
- Christmas sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar or decorate with sprinkles if desired.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for best cookie texture.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if it seems too soft to handle.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday baking, simple cookies, easy cookies, sugar cookies, festive cookies