The Magic of Soft Christmas Cookies: A Festive Family Recipe

Crafting delightful soft christmas cookies brings pure joy to holiday baking adventures.

Sweet memories unfold with each gentle mix of ingredients.

Festive aromas will dance through your kitchen, promising delectable moments of warmth.

Seasonal spices blend magically, creating tender treats that melt perfectly on your tongue.

Generations of bakers have perfected these cherished recipe techniques.

Holiday cheer emerges from simple flour, butter, and love.

Bake these cookies and watch smiles light up around you.

Why Soft Christmas Cookies Are So Irresistible

• Bake with Minimal Fuss: This recipe requires simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Treats: Chocolate chips and walnuts add delightful texture and flavor that everyone from kids to adults will love, making these cookies ideal for family gatherings or holiday parties.
• Enjoy Quick Preparation: With just a few mixing steps and a short baking time, you can have delicious homemade cookies ready in no time, perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute dessert needs.
• Customize with Ease: The base recipe allows for simple variations like swapping nuts or adding different mix-ins, giving you flexibility to match your taste preferences or pantry ingredients.

Ingredients for Soft Christmas Cookies

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides flavor and helps create a soft texture for the cookies.
• White Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp exterior on the cookies.
• Brown Sugar: Brings moisture and a deeper, caramel-like flavor to the cookie dough.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the soft, tender texture of the cookies.
• Flour: The primary structural ingredient that gives the cookies their shape and consistency.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that complements the sweetness of the cookies.
• Chocolate Chips: Provide bursts of rich chocolate throughout the cookies.
• Chopped Walnuts: Introduce a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the soft cookies.

• Baking Soda, Hot Water: Work together to help the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

Preparation Instructions for Soft Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius. This ensures the perfect baking environment for your festive treats.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• White sugar
• Brown sugar

Whip these ingredients until they become smooth and creamy, creating a rich foundation for your cookies.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Flavor

Gently beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully integrated. Pour in vanilla extract and mix thoroughly to enhance the cookie’s aromatic profile.

Step 4: Activate the Baking Soda

Dissolve baking soda in hot water, then add this mixture to your dough along with salt. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.

Step 5: Blend in Dry Ingredients

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Scoop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Space the cookie dough blobs about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 10 minutes until the cookie edges turn golden brown and the centers look set.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for a few minutes. Transfer them to wire cooling racks to cool completely. Serve and delight in your homemade Christmas cookies!

Pro Tips for Soft Christmas Cookies

• Use room temperature butter for a smoother, creamier consistency that blends effortlessly with sugars.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• Replace walnuts with other nuts like pecans or almonds for different flavor variations.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum.
• Sprinkle sea salt on top before baking to enhance the chocolate and nutty flavors for a gourmet touch.

Creative Variations of Soft Christmas Cookies

• Holiday Spice Cookies: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the dough for a warm, festive flavor profile.
• Peppermint Chocolate Chip: Crush candy canes and mix into the dough, replace regular chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips for extra richness.
• Cranberry Walnut Cookies: Swap half the chocolate chips with dried cranberries for a tangy, seasonal touch.
• Almond Drizzle Cookies: After cooling, drizzle melted white chocolate and sprinkle sliced almonds on top for elegant decoration.

Pairing Suggestions for Soft Christmas Cookies

• Pair Warm Milk with Cookies: Classic Christmas cookie companion that enhances the chocolate and walnut flavors, creating a nostalgic and comforting experience.
• Serve with Cinnamon Spiced Tea: Aromatic tea complements the sweet and nutty cookie profile, adding warmth and depth to each delightful bite.
• Match with Vanilla Eggnog: Creamy holiday drink that perfectly balances the cookies' richness, bringing out the subtle sweetness of chocolate and brown sugar.
• Create Hot Cocoa Accompaniment: Rich chocolate beverage that intensifies the cookie's chocolate chip notes, providing a decadent winter treat sensation.

Storage Guidelines for Soft Christmas Cookies

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and fresh.
• Wrap individual cookies or entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag, lasting up to 3 months without losing quality.
• Keep cookies in sealed container at normal room temperature for 3-4 days, ensuring they remain crisp and delicious.
• Warm cookies gently in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore original softness and warmth.

FAQs on Soft Christmas Cookies

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While margarine can be used, butter provides better flavor and texture for these Christmas cookies. Stick to unsalted butter for the best results.

• How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking.

• Are chocolate chips necessary for this recipe?

No, chocolate chips are optional. You can substitute with white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or omit them entirely based on your preference.

• What's the best way to measure flour accurately?

Use the spoon and level method. Gently spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge to avoid dense, dry cookies.

Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Homemade Christmas Cookies invite festive cheer with their delightful blend of warm spices and sweet memories. Crafted with love, these treats promise to delight family and friends during holiday gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons hot water

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

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Instructions

1. Set the oven temperature to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking.
2. Using an electric mixer, blend butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until achieving a smooth, homogeneous texture.
3. Incorporate eggs individually into the mixture, then introduce vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
4. Dissolve baking soda in hot water, then integrate into the batter along with salt, ensuring complete combination.
5. Gradually fold flour into the wet ingredients, creating a consistent dough, then gently mix in chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
6. Distribute dough onto ungreased baking sheets using a spoon, maintaining approximately 2-inch spacing between cookie portions.
7. Bake for 10 minutes, monitoring until cookie edges turn golden brown and centers appear fully set.
8. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for several minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks for complete cooling.

Notes

• Prevent spreading by chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, ensuring thicker and more uniform cookies.
• Replace walnuts with alternative mix-ins like dried cranberries or white chocolate chips for festive seasonal variations.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal from the sheet.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 209 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 99 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 17 mg