These classic old-fashioned Christmas cookies are a delightful treat during the holiday season. With their buttery flavor and festive decorations, they bring a sense of nostalgia and joy to any gathering.
This recipe is simple and perfect for baking with family. You can customize the cookies with various toppings like icing, sprinkles, or nuts to make them even more festive.
Creating a Festive Atmosphere
The holiday season is a time for warmth and joy, and nothing embodies this spirit quite like a beautifully arranged plate of classic old-fashioned Christmas cookies. These cookies, adorned with colorful icing and sprinkles, not only taste delightful but also serve as a visual treat that enhances any festive gathering.
When setting the scene, consider surrounding the cookies with seasonal decorations such as pine branches and shiny ornaments. This combination creates an inviting atmosphere that beckons friends and family to gather around and indulge in the sweet offerings.
Classic Cookie Characteristics
These cookies are known for their buttery flavor and soft texture, making them a nostalgic favorite during the holidays. The simplicity of the recipe allows for creativity, enabling bakers to personalize their cookies with various toppings and decorations.
Whether you prefer a classic icing or a sprinkle of festive colors, the options are endless. This versatility makes them perfect for sharing with loved ones or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Preparation and Baking Process
Preparing these cookies is a straightforward process that can be enjoyed by bakers of all ages. With a prep time of about 30 minutes and a quick baking time of 10-12 minutes, they fit seamlessly into any holiday schedule.
Start by gathering your ingredients and preheating the oven. Mixing the dry ingredients and creaming the butter and sugar are essential steps that set the foundation for these delightful treats. Once the dough is ready, shaping and baking the cookies is a fun activity that can involve the whole family.
Decorating Your Cookies
Once the cookies have cooled, the real fun begins with decorating. A simple icing made from confectioners’ sugar and water can be transformed with food coloring to create vibrant designs. Sprinkles and other decorative toppings add an extra layer of festivity, making each cookie unique.
Encourage creativity by allowing everyone to decorate their own cookies. This not only makes for a fun activity but also results in a beautiful assortment of cookies that reflect each person’s style.
Sharing the Joy
These classic Christmas cookies are perfect for sharing. Whether you package them up as gifts or serve them at holiday parties, they are sure to bring smiles to everyone who tastes them. Their nostalgic flavors and festive decorations evoke cherished memories and create new ones.
Consider setting up a cookie exchange with friends or family, where everyone brings their own baked goods to share. This not only spreads joy but also allows for a delightful variety of treats to enjoy during the season.
Storing Your Cookies
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last for several days, making them a convenient treat to have on hand during the busy holiday season.
If you want to extend their shelf life, consider freezing the cookies. They can be thawed and decorated later, allowing for a last-minute festive touch when needed.
Traditional Christmas Cookie Recipe
This recipe yields a batch of delicious cookies that are perfect for sharing or leaving out for Santa. The preparation time is about 30 minutes, and the baking time is around 10-12 minutes, making it a quick and enjoyable holiday baking activity.
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
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar for icing (optional)
- Food coloring for icing (optional)
- Sprinkles or decorative toppings (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until smooth.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well blended.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until just combined.
- Shape Cookies: Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place them onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- Decorate: If desired, mix confectioners’ sugar with a little water to make icing. Add food coloring and decorate the cooled cookies with icing and sprinkles.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 22g