These nostalgic Christmas cookies bring back the flavors of the 1960s holiday season. With a delightful mix of spices and festive decorations, they are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
This recipe features traditional ingredients and simple techniques, making it easy to recreate these beloved treats in your own kitchen.
Traditional Christmas Cookies from the 1960s
These classic Christmas cookies evoke memories of festive gatherings and joyful celebrations from the 1960s. Soft and chewy, they are infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a comforting flavor that resonates with holiday cheer.
The vibrant decorations, including colorful icing and sprinkles, add a playful touch to each cookie. Whether shaped like stars, trees, or candy canes, these treats are perfect for sharing with loved ones during the holiday season.
Ingredients That Bring Back Memories
The ingredients used in these cookies are simple yet nostalgic. All-purpose flour serves as the base, while baking soda and baking powder provide the perfect rise. The combination of cinnamon and nutmeg offers that quintessential holiday flavor.
Unsalted butter and white sugar create a rich, sweet dough, while the addition of egg and extracts of vanilla and almond enhance the overall taste. Finally, colorful sugar or sprinkles transform these cookies into a festive delight, making them a visual treat as well.
Creating the Perfect Dough
Making the dough for these cookies is a straightforward process. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and cream the butter and sugar in another until smooth. Incorporating the egg and extracts adds richness to the mixture. Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, forming a soft dough that’s easy to work with.
Shaping and Decorating
Shaping the cookies is where creativity shines. Using rounded tablespoons of dough, drop them onto ungreased baking sheets. Flatten them slightly for even baking and sprinkle colorful sugar or sprinkles on top for that festive flair.
Each cookie can be uniquely decorated, allowing for personal touches that reflect your holiday spirit. The anticipation builds as they bake in the oven, filling your kitchen with a delightful aroma.
The Joy of Baking Together
Baking these cookies can be a wonderful family activity. Gather friends or family members to help with mixing, shaping, and decorating. This shared experience creates lasting memories and brings everyone together in the spirit of the season.
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on wire racks. The sight of a plate filled with these beautifully decorated cookies is sure to bring smiles and warmth to any holiday gathering.
Creating a Festive Atmosphere
To enhance the holiday spirit, set the scene with twinkling lights and pine branches. The combination of these classic cookies and festive decorations creates an inviting atmosphere that embodies the joy of the season.
Whether enjoyed at a holiday party or gifted to neighbors, these cookies are a delightful way to celebrate the traditions of Christmas. Their vibrant colors and nostalgic flavors will surely bring joy to all who partake.
Traditional Christmas Cookies from the 1960s
These Christmas cookies are soft and chewy, flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, and often decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles. The recipe yields about 24 cookies and takes approximately 1 hour to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully combined.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass and sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 20g