Ah, the magic of the holiday season! There’s just something incredibly special about making Christmas treats for kids, isn’t there? The excitement in their eyes as they help mix, roll, and decorate is simply priceless. This recipe is all about bringing families together in the kitchen, creating sweet memories along with delicious cookies! You’ll love how easy it is to whip up these festive delights, and the best part? Kids can get their hands messy while decorating with icing and sprinkles! Trust me, there’s no better way to spread joy and get into the holiday spirit than baking together!
Ingredients for Christmas Treats for Kids
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful Christmas treats for kids! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup sugar: This sweet staple gives our cookies that perfect sugary crunch.
- 1/2 cup butter: Make sure it’s softened; it’ll blend beautifully with the sugar!
- 2 eggs: These add moisture and help bind everything together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla brings warmth and flavor.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of our cookie dough.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: This helps the cookies rise and stay fluffy.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup icing sugar: For decorating those festive treats!
- Food coloring: Get creative and make your cookies pop with color!
- Sprinkles: Because every Christmas treat deserves a little sparkle!
How to Prepare Christmas Treats for Kids
Getting into the holiday spirit is all about the process, and I can’t wait to guide you through making these delightful Christmas treats for kids! First things first, let’s preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab your mixing bowl and cream together the sugar and softened butter until it’s light and fluffy—this part is so satisfying! Next, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Then, gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Don’t rush this step; you want everything to come together beautifully. Now, here comes the fun part! Roll the dough into small balls—about a tablespoon each—and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until they’re lightly golden. Once baked, let them cool completely. Finally, it’s time to decorate! Drizzle with icing sugar, add a splash of food coloring, and top with sprinkles. Enjoy the festive creations with your kids!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of softened butter in a bowl until fluffy.
- Add in 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined.
- Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with icing and sprinkles!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe for Christmas treats for kids is not just about baking cookies; it’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories! Here’s why you’ll absolutely adore making these festive delights:
- Fun for the Whole Family: Kids love getting involved, from mixing to decorating!
- Encourages Creativity: With colorful icing and sprinkles, every cookie can be a masterpiece!
- Simple Process: The straightforward steps make it easy for kids of all ages to participate.
- Perfect Holiday Activity: Baking together brings everyone closer and fills the house with wonderful aromas.
- Delicious Results: Everyone will enjoy munching on these tasty treats together!
Tips for Success
To make these Christmas treats for kids truly shine, here are some expert tips I swear by! First, be sure to use softened butter—this helps create that light, fluffy texture we all love. Don’t skip the cooling step; letting the cookies cool completely before decorating is key to preventing the icing from melting. And if you’re working with kids, prep everything beforehand to keep the chaos at bay! Oh, and remember to have fun with the sprinkles—there’s no such thing as too much sparkle! Lastly, if the dough feels too sticky, just sprinkle a bit of flour on your hands. Happy baking!
Variations on Christmas Treats for Kids
Let’s get creative with these Christmas treats for kids! One fun way to switch things up is by adding different flavors to the dough. Try mixing in some almond extract for a unique twist or even a teaspoon of peppermint extract for a festive kick! You can also experiment with various food coloring to create multi-colored dough—imagine bright green Christmas trees or red and white candy canes!
For decorations, why not use different types of sprinkles or edible glitter? You could even press chocolate chips or mini marshmallows into the tops before baking for an extra treat! The sky’s the limit when it comes to personalizing these delightful cookies, so let your kids’ imaginations run wild!
Nutritional Information
These festive Christmas treats for kids are a delightful indulgence! Each cookie contains approximately 120 calories, 5g of fat, and 1g of protein. You’ll also find about 18g of carbohydrates and 10g of sugar. Keep in mind that these values are estimates, so enjoy them in moderation as part of your holiday celebrations!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delicious Christmas treats for kids fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delightful for up to a week, but trust me, they might not last that long! If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the cookies. Just layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and pop them in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply let them thaw at room temperature. No need to reheat—these festive treats are just as delightful straight from the container! Enjoy your sweet creations!
FAQ Section
Can I make these Christmas treats for kids ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cookies a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
What if I don’t have icing sugar?
No worries! You can make your own by blending granulated sugar until it’s a fine powder. It works just as well for decorating!
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, feel free to substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just make sure it has a binding agent!
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps them hold their shape!
What other decorations can I use?
Get creative! Use chocolate chips, dried fruits, or even mini candies to make your cookies extra special!
Christmas Treats for Kids: 5 Sweet Recipes to Cherish
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and fun Christmas treats for kids.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream sugar and butter together in a bowl.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Roll the dough into small balls.
- Place balls on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cool, then decorate with icing and sprinkles.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Use different food colors for variety.
- Kids can help with decorating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: christmas treats for kids
