Oh, the joy of baking Christmas cookies! There’s just something magical about the smell of warm cookies wafting through the house during the holiday season. I can still remember the excitement as a child, standing on a chair to help my grandma mix the dough while she sang carols. This recipe is a tribute to those sweet memories, and trust me, it’s a winner! These cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips – the kind that make your heart sing with happiness. Plus, they come together in just about 30 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings. You can even get the little ones involved in shaping the dough, which makes for a delightful family activity. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s create some scrumptious Christmas magic together!
Ingredients List
Gather these simple yet essential ingredients to make your festive Christmas cookies shine! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, but they add a lovely crunch!)
Make sure your butter is nice and soft for that creamy texture – it really makes a difference! And don’t worry if you want to skip the walnuts; the cookies will still be divine without them!
How to Prepare Christmas Cookies
Prepping the Oven and Ingredients
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking those golden delights! While that’s warming up, gather all your ingredients and have them ready to go. It makes the process so much smoother, and trust me, you’ll want everything at your fingertips when the cookie magic starts!
Mixing the Dough
Now, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This is where the cookies start to come alive! Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined. In a separate small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to your buttery goodness, blending until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – we want that lovely chewy texture, not tough cookies!
Adding Chocolate Chips and Walnuts
Here comes the fun part! Gently fold in the chocolate chips and those optional chopped walnuts. I like to think of it as adding a sprinkle of joy to the dough! Make sure they’re evenly distributed, giving every cookie a delightful surprise of chocolatey goodness and crunch!
Shaping and Baking
Now it’s time to shape your cookies! Using a rounded spoon, drop generous spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking pans, leaving enough space between each one for spreading. Bake them in your preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until they’re just golden around the edges. Don’t worry if they look a little soft in the middle; they’ll firm up as they cool! Once they’re out of the oven, let them sit on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Heaven, right?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to whip up, ready in just 30 minutes!
- Soft, chewy texture packed with rich chocolate chips.
- Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy family nights.
- Endless customization options—add your favorite nuts or swap in M&Ms!
- A delightful way to create lasting memories with loved ones.
- Great for gift-giving; who wouldn’t love a box of homemade cookies?
- They fill your home with that warm, nostalgic aroma of the holidays.
Tips for Success
To achieve the best results with your Christmas cookies, here are my go-to tips that I swear by! First up, consider chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This little step helps the flavors meld beautifully and keeps the cookies from spreading too much, resulting in thicker, chewier treats. Trust me, the wait is worth it!
When it comes to baking, make sure your oven is fully preheated; that way, you get that perfect golden-brown finish. Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. You want them to look soft in the center when you pull them out—don’t worry, they’ll firm up as they cool! And speaking of cooling, let them sit on the baking pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents them from breaking apart.
Lastly, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for days. If they last that long, that is!
Nutritional Information
As with any homemade treat, the nutritional content of these Christmas cookies can vary based on the ingredients and brands you choose. While I can’t provide exact numbers, here’s a general idea of what to expect per cookie:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugar: 10g
Keep in mind that these delightful cookies are a special treat, so enjoy them in moderation as part of your festive celebrations! Happy baking!
FAQ Section
Got questions about making the perfect Christmas cookies? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Here are some of the most common queries I hear:
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Absolutely! Just keep in mind that the texture may be a bit denser, but it’ll still taste amazing. You might also want to add a bit more liquid to balance it out.
How do I keep my cookies soft after baking?
To keep those Christmas cookies soft, store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The moisture from the bread will help keep your cookies nice and chewy!
Can I freeze the dough for later use?
Yes, you can! Just wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before shaping and baking.
What’s the best way to decorate my cookies?
You can get creative! Try using icing, sprinkles, or even melted chocolate for drizzling. Decorating can be a fun family activity, so let the kids help out!
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container, your Christmas cookies will stay fresh for about a week. But trust me, they’ll likely disappear much sooner than that!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your Christmas cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain their soft, chewy texture for about a week. If you want to keep them even longer, you can freeze them! Just wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll be good for up to three months!
When you’re ready to enjoy a cookie, there’s no need for fancy reheating methods. Simply let them sit at room temperature for a bit, or pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back that warm, gooey goodness. Enjoy every bite!
Print
Delicious Christmas Cookies: Bake 30 Minutes of Joy
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Christmas cookies perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
- Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Chill dough for better flavor.
- Substitute chocolate chips with M&Ms for color.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: christmas cookies