Ah, *biscuit de noël*! These delightful Christmas cookies hold a special place in my heart. I remember the smell of warm spices wafting through my kitchen as a child, signaling that the holiday season was truly upon us. Each bite of these buttery, sweet cookies brings back memories of laughter, family gatherings, and the joy of sharing treats with loved ones. They’re so simple to make, yet they pack an impressive festive punch with their delightful flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. Trust me, once you start baking these, your home will feel like a cozy winter wonderland, and you’ll find yourself reaching for just one more cookie. Perfect for holiday parties or as a sweet gift, these *biscuit de noël* are sure to become a cherished tradition in your home too!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup icing sugar for decoration
How to Prepare *Biscuit de Noël*
Making these delightful *biscuit de noël* is a breeze! I love how the process fills my home with the warm, inviting scents of the holiday season. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a plate full of festive cookies in no time!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is key for even baking, so don’t skip this step!
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the large egg and vanilla extract, and mix well until everything is nicely combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This helps evenly distribute the spices for that perfect holiday flavor.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. You don’t want to overmix—just enough to form a dough!
- Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Give them a little space as they spread while baking.
- Gently flatten each ball with the back of a fork or your hand—this helps them bake evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re golden around the edges. Keep an eye on them, as oven times can vary!
- Once baked, let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. After they’re completely cool, dust with icing sugar for that extra festive touch!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional information for each *biscuit de noël* cookie, so you can enjoy them guilt-free! Keep in mind that these values are based on common ingredients and may vary slightly depending on what you use.
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 1g
These delightful cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth during the festive season without going overboard! Enjoy every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to prepare, making them perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
- Festive flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg create that cozy holiday atmosphere.
- Delightful for sharing at holiday gatherings or as sweet gifts for friends and family.
- Quick baking time means you can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes!
- Customizable with sprinkles or different spices to suit your taste.
Tips for Success
When it comes to making the perfect *biscuit de noël*, a few simple tips can make all the difference! First, make sure your butter is truly softened—this means it should be at room temperature and easy to press with your finger. If it’s too cold, your cookies won’t be as fluffy and will lose that lovely melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Also, don’t overmix the dough once you add the dry ingredients. Mixing just until combined keeps the cookies tender and prevents them from becoming tough. I also recommend chilling the dough for about 15-20 minutes before rolling it into balls; this helps prevent spreading and gives you those beautiful, round cookies. Lastly, if you want an extra festive touch, feel free to experiment with different spices or add some chopped nuts for a delightful crunch. Happy baking!
Variations
If you want to switch things up with your *biscuit de noël*, there are so many fun variations to try! For a chocolatey twist, simply fold in some chocolate chips or cocoa powder into the dough. You could also add a handful of chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for a delightful crunch that pairs beautifully with the spices.
Feeling adventurous? How about swapping out the cinnamon for ginger or cardamom to give these cookies a different flavor profile? You can even add a splash of orange or lemon zest for a bright citrus note that complements the holiday spices. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and make these cookies your own!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *biscuit de noël* fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay nice for about a week, but trust me, they probably won’t last that long! If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze the cookies. Just layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll be good for up to 2 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply take out the desired number of cookies and let them thaw at room temperature. No need to reheat—these cookies are delightful at room temperature, just like they were fresh out of the oven!
Serving Suggestions
These *biscuit de noël* are simply perfect for sharing with a warm cup of tea or coffee. The cozy spices in the cookies complement the rich flavors of your favorite warm beverages beautifully. I also love to serve them alongside a festive hot chocolate—imagine dipping these buttery cookies into a mug of velvety chocolate! If you’re feeling extra indulgent, pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience. Trust me, everyone will be coming back for seconds when you present these treats with a warm drink in hand!
Print
Biscuit de Noël: 5 Irresistible Recipes for Holiday Joy
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Traditional Christmas cookies with festive flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup icing sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
- Add egg and vanilla, mix well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Roll the dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Flatten each ball slightly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden.
- Let cool, then dust with icing sugar.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Best enjoyed with tea or coffee.
- Add sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: biscuit de noël, Christmas cookies, holiday baking
