5 festival Christmas Cookie Recipes

The crisp winter air, twinkling lights, and carols in the background – it can only mean one thing: Christmas is here! And what better way to celebrate this joyous season than with a plate (or two) of freshly baked Christmas cookies?

This year, ditch the store-bought treats and whip up some homemade magic with these 5 delectable Christmas cookie recipes. From classic favourites to modern twists, there's something for every taste bud and skill level. So gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready to spread some holiday cheer, one delicious cookie at a time!

1. Gingerbread Men and Houses: No Christmas cookie spread is complete without the iconic gingerbread men and houses. These spicy delights are not only fun to decorate, but they also fill the kitchen with the warm aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

Ingredients:

• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, spices, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and molasses until light and fluffy. Beat in egg.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
6. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cookies are firm.
8. Decorate with icing, sprinkles, and candy pieces as desired.

Cooking time: 8-10 minutes Serving size: Makes about 3 dozen cookies Storage: Store gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

2. Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies: These festive cookies are packed with rich chocolate flavor and a refreshing peppermint kick. They're perfect for a holiday cookie exchange or as a special treat for Santa Claus.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in peppermint extract.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies.
6. Drop tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown.
8. Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cooking time: 10-12 minutes Serving size: Makes about 3 dozen cookies Storage: Store peppermint chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

3. Cinnamon Stars: These delicate cookies are a beautiful addition to any Christmas tree or cookie platter. They're flavoured with cinnamon and have a lovely star shape, making them perfect for the holiday season.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
6. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut out star shapes with cookie cutters.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cookies are firm and lightly golden brown.
8. Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Decorate with icing and sprinkles as desired.

Cooking time: 8-10 minutes Serving size: Makes about 3 dozen cookies Storage: Store cinnamon stars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

4. Shortbread Cookies: These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are a classic Christmas treat. They're simple to make but incredibly delicious, and they're perfect for dunking in a cup of hot cocoa.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Press dough into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
7. Let cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before cutting into squares with a sharp knife.
8. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey.

Cooking time: 20-25 minutes Serving size: Makes about 2 dozen cookies Storage: Store shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

5. Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies: These soft and chewy cookies are filled with a decadent Hershey's Kiss, making them irresistible to peanut butter lovers and chocolate fans alike.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 bag Hershey's Kisses, unwrapped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda.
3. In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter, butter, and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Drop tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Press a Hershey's Kiss into the center of each cookie dough ball.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown around the edges.
7. Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cooking time: 8-10 minutes Serving size: Makes about 2 dozen cookies Storage: Store peanut butter kiss cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

I hope you enjoy these festive Christmas cookie recipes! With a little creativity and love, you can