10 Irresistible Cookie Recipes for Holiday Baking

 

10 Irresistible Cookie Recipes for Holiday Baking

10 Irresistible Cookie Recipes for Holiday Baking

Introduction: The Magic of Holiday Cookies

Holiday baking isn’t just about sweets—it’s about tradition, warmth, and sharing joy. Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat: they’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for gifting. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, cookie swaps, or just to fill your kitchen with that cozy aroma, these 10 irresistible cookie recipes will make your holiday season unforgettable.

Each recipe below includes full ingredients and step-by-step instructions so you can bake with confidence.

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
  3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla, and milk.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients.
  5. Roll dough, cut into shapes, and bake for 8–10 minutes.
  6. Cool before decorating with icing or sprinkles.

2. Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, add egg and molasses.
  2. Mix dry ingredients separately, then combine with wet mixture.
  3. Chill dough for 1 hour.
  4. Roll out and cut into festive shapes.
  5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes.
  6. Decorate with royal icing.

3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions:

  1. Mix cocoa, sugar, and oil. Add eggs and vanilla.
  2. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Chill dough for 2 hours.
  4. Roll into balls, coat in powdered sugar.
  5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.

4. Snickerdoodles

Ingredients:

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon + 2 tbsp sugar (for coating)

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs.
  2. Mix dry ingredients, combine with wet mixture.
  3. Roll dough into balls, coat in cinnamon sugar.
  4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes.

5. Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup jam (raspberry or strawberry)

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, add yolk and vanilla.
  2. Mix in flour until dough forms.
  3. Roll into balls, press thumb into center.
  4. Fill indent with jam.
  5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes.

6. Peppermint Bark Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and peppermint extract.
  2. Mix dry ingredients, combine with wet mixture.
  3. Stir in candy canes and white chocolate.
  4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.

7. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup raisins

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla.
  2. Mix dry ingredients, combine with wet mixture.
  3. Stir in oats and raisins.
  4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.

8. Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla.
  2. Mix dry ingredients, combine with wet mixture.
  3. Stir in chocolate chips.
  4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.

9. Linzer Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup raspberry jam
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla.
  2. Mix in flours until dough forms. Chill 1 hour.
  3. Roll dough, cut into shapes (half with cut-out centers).
  4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
  5. Sandwich cookies with jam, dust with powdered sugar.

10. Holiday Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, add vanilla.
  2. Mix in flour until dough forms.
  3. Roll dough, cut into festive shapes.
  4. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 15–18 minutes.
  5. Decorate with sprinkles while warm.

Tips for Holiday Cookie Success

  • Chill dough: Prevents spreading and keeps shapes intact.
  • Use parchment paper: Ensures even baking and easy cleanup.
  • Rotate pans: Helps cookies bake evenly.
  • Cool completely before decorating: Prevents icing from melting.
  • Store properly: Airtight containers keep cookies fresh longer.

Conclusion: Bake, Share, Celebrate

Holiday cookies are more than treats—they’re memories in the making. With these 10 irresistible recipes, you’ll have a variety of flavors and textures to please everyone. Bake a batch, share with loved ones, and let the holiday spirit shine through every bite.

Bon appétit and happy baking! 🎄🍪

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