Oh, the joy of baking during the holiday season! There’s just something magical about filling your home with the smell of freshly baked cookies, isn’t there? These *cookies Christmas* are an absolute must for my holiday celebrations. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with festive flavors, thanks to the delightful crunch of candy canes mixed in with the chocolate chips. I remember my grandma and I would spend hours in the kitchen, laughing and sneaking bites of dough between batches. Trust me, these cookies will not only warm your heart but also bring smiles to everyone around your holiday table!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (measured correctly by spooning into the cup and leveling off)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for about an hour or microwave for a few seconds if you’re in a hurry)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (the white stuff that makes everything sweet!)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (use light or dark, depending on how rich you want the flavor)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature helps them mix better)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for that lovely warm flavor)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (this helps the cookies rise and get that perfect texture)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (don’t skip this; it enhances all the other flavors!)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate—your choice!)
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes (for that festive crunch and minty goodness)
How to Prepare Cookies Christmas Instructions
Preheat the Oven
First things first—let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). This step is super important because it ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly fluffy. No one likes a sad, flat cookie, right? So, while you’re prepping, let that oven do its thing!
Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, grab your softened unsalted butter and toss in the granulated and brown sugars. Now, with a hand mixer or a good old wooden spoon, mix those together until it’s light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. You want it to look almost like a cloud! This step is key for creating that amazing texture we all crave in cookies.
Combine Wet Ingredients
Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to incorporate them fully. Then, add the vanilla extract. It’s going to smell heavenly! Make sure everything is blended nicely so your cookies have that rich, warm flavor throughout.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This is a crucial step to ensure the baking soda is evenly distributed. You don’t want any surprises! Just a minute or so of whisking will do the trick.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Now, gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients. I like to do this in three parts, mixing gently until just combined after each addition. You don’t want to overmix—this helps keep your cookies tender and not tough!
Fold in Add-ins
Here comes the fun part! Gently fold in your chocolate chips and crushed candy canes using a spatula. Be careful not to over-mix or you’ll lose that lovely texture. You want to see those delicious bits peeking out everywhere!
Portion the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave some space between each one because they’ll spread a little while baking. I usually aim for about two inches apart to be safe.
Bake the Cookies
Pop those beauties into the preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they’re done when the edges are golden brown, and the centers look set but still a little soft. Trust me, they’ll firm up as they cool!
Cool the Cookies
Once they’re out, let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling time helps them finish baking and makes them easier to move without breaking. Plus, you can enjoy the heavenly aroma wafting through your kitchen!
Tips for Success
To ensure your *cookies Christmas* turn out perfectly, remember to use room temperature ingredients, especially the butter and eggs. This helps them blend more smoothly, creating that fluffy texture we all love. When mixing, don’t overdo it—stop as soon as everything is just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we definitely don’t want that! Oh, and if you can, let the dough chill for about 30 minutes before baking; it helps the flavors meld and gives you a thicker, chewier cookie. Trust me, these little tweaks make a world of difference!
Nutritional Information
These delightful *cookies Christmas* are not just a treat for the taste buds but also come with some nutritional insights! Each cookie is approximately 150 calories, with 8g of fat, 2g of protein, and 20g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind, these numbers are estimates, so enjoy them in moderation as part of your festive celebrations!
FAQ Section
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can! Just keep in mind that butter gives a richer flavor and better texture, but margarine will work in a pinch. Just make sure it’s softened like you would with butter.
How do I store leftover cookies?
To keep your *cookies Christmas* fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll last about a week, but trust me, they won’t last that long because they’re just too delicious!
What if my cookies spread too much while baking?
Oh no! If that happens, it might be because your dough was too warm or you didn’t chill it before baking. Next time, try chilling the dough for about 30 minutes or even an hour to help them hold their shape better.
Can I substitute chocolate chips with other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate, butterscotch chips, or even dried fruits like cranberries or raisins. Just keep the quantity the same, and you’re good to go!
How do I know when my cookies are done?
Look for those lovely golden edges! The centers should look set but still soft when you pull them out. They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a bit underbaked at first. It’s all part of the magic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation time—ready to bake in just 15 minutes!
- Delicious flavors that combine sweet chocolate and minty candy canes for a festive twist.
- Perfectly soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Great for sharing with friends and family during the holiday season.
- Fun to make with kids—let them help with mixing and decorating!
- Customizable with your favorite mix-ins if you want to add a personal touch.
- These cookies fill your home with the aroma of the holidays—what’s not to love?
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *cookies Christmas* fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tasty for about a week—if they last that long! If you want to enjoy them warm later, simply pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This will bring back that fresh-baked softness. Just be careful not to overheat them, or they might get a bit tough. Enjoy those festive bites!
Print
Cookies Christmas That Will Melt Your Heart and Delight!
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Christmas cookies perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Fold in chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
- Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- For a festive touch, add edible glitter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cookies christmas
