Description:
These Soft Christmas Cookies are the perfect treat to celebrate the holiday season. With their delightful softness and rich flavor, they are ideal for sharing with family and friends, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa!
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
These cookies are not just any holiday treat; they embody the warmth and joy of Christmas. Their soft and chewy texture, combined with the delicious butter and almond flavors, make them irresistible. The easy-to-follow instructions and the fun decorating options bring out the creativity in everyone, making them a fun activity for the whole family. Plus, they can be customized with your favorite holiday-themed icing and sprinkles.
Introduction
As the holiday season approaches, the smell of freshly baked cookies fills homes with warmth and sweetness. There is something magical about gathering around the kitchen with loved ones, baking cookies, and sharing stories. These Soft Christmas Cookies are particularly special because they are soft, chewy, and adorned with beautiful icing, making them visually appealing as well as delicious. This recipe is perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or simply to enjoy throughout the festive season. Let’s dive into the details of making these delightful treats that will surely become a holiday favorite!
Ingredients:
- Cookies
– 3 cups all-purpose flour 🌾
– 1 tsp baking powder 🧁
– 1/2 tsp baking soda 🥄
– 1/2 tsp salt 🧂
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 🧈
– 1 1/4 cups sugar 🍬
– 1 large egg 🥚
– 1 tsp vanilla extract 🌿
– 1/2 tsp almond extract 🌰
– 1/2 cup sour cream 🍶 - For the Icing:
– 2 cups powdered sugar 🍥
– 2-3 tbsp milk 🥛
– 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract 🌰
– Food coloring (optional) 🎨
– Sprinkles for decoration 🎉
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) 🔥. This step is crucial as it ensures your cookies bake evenly and achieve a deliciously soft texture. While the oven heats, line your baking sheets with parchment paper 🧻 to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt 🌾. This helps to distribute the leavening agents evenly throughout the flour, ensuring that your cookies rise perfectly during baking.
Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar
In another large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes 🍯. Beating the butter and sugar properly is key to achieving a light and airy cookie.
Step 4: Add Egg & Extracts
Once the butter and sugar are creamed, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined 🌿. The extracts will add a lovely flavor profile to your cookies, making them even more festive.
Step 5: Incorporate Sour Cream
Slowly mix in the sour cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy 🍶. The sour cream is what makes these cookies soft and moist, ensuring they have a delectable texture.
Step 6: Combine
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms 💪. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
Step 7: Roll & Cut
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes ⭐🎅. Gather any scraps, reroll, and cut again until all the dough is used.
Step 8: Bake
Place the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a couple of inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just barely golden ⏲. Keep an eye on them, as they can go from perfectly baked to overbaked quickly!
Step 9: Cool & Decorate
Allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks before decorating with icing and sprinkles 🎨. This cooling period is essential; decorating warm cookies can cause the icing to melt and lose its shape.
Cooking Note:
These Soft Christmas Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, maintaining their softness. You can also freeze the undecorated cookies for up to three months, making them a perfect make-ahead option for holiday fun!
Suggestions for Presentation:
Serve these cookies on a festive platter adorned with holiday decorations. You can also display them in mason jars tied with ribbons for a beautiful and charming gift idea!
Tips:
- For perfectly shaped cookies, chill the rolled-out dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before cutting. This helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Experiment with different food coloring in your icing to create a variety of festive designs.
- Adding zest from an orange or lemon can offer a refreshing twist to the flavor.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: Approx. 120 per cookie
- Protein: 1.5g
- Sodium: 95mg
Conclusion
These Soft Christmas Cookies are not just a treat; they are a tradition waiting to happen. With their delightful taste and easy preparation, they bring joy to the holiday season and create lasting memories with loved ones. Whether you are hosting a cookie exchange or simply enjoying them at home, these cookies are sure to be a hit!
FAQs
1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option, but this may slightly change the texture of the cookies.
2. How can I make these cookies dairy-free?
You can opt for dairy-free butter or coconut oil and use a dairy-free sour cream substitute to keep the recipe dairy-free.
3. What if I don’t have almond extract?
If you don’t have almond extract, you can simply omit it or replace it with extra vanilla extract for a different flavor profile.
4. Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cookie dough for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight container.
5. How do I store the decorated cookies?
Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. If you have multiple layers of cookies, place parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking.
Now, gather your ingredients and start baking these delightful Soft Christmas Cookies that will bring sweetness to your holiday celebrations! 🎄🍪
