Ah, the magic of the holiday season! There’s something truly special about creating a *Santa cookie plate* that brings back so many warm memories. I remember gathering in the kitchen with my family every Christmas Eve, flour dusting our noses as we baked countless cookies just for Santa. The smell of butter and sugar wafting through the house always filled me with excitement! We’d decorate each cookie with colorful sprinkles, making them as festive as possible. It felt like we were part of something magical, leaving treats for Santa and his reindeer. Trust me, your kids will cherish these moments, too, as they help you whip up a delightful cookie platter that’s sure to bring smiles on Christmas morning!
Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to create your delightful *Santa cookie plate*. Gather these simple ingredients, and let the holiday baking begin!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup icing sugar for decoration
- 2 tablespoons milk to mix with icing
- Red and green sprinkles for festive flair
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything on hand right now—you can easily substitute some ingredients, or even get creative with your decorations later!
How to Prepare Instructions
Alright, let’s get baking! First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). You want that oven nice and warm for our cookies to bake perfectly. While that’s heating up, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes—trust me, it makes a difference!
Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Now, it’s time to combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture—do this gradually, stirring until it forms a soft dough. Don’t worry if it feels a bit sticky; that’s just what we want!
Now, roll the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, giving them a bit of space to spread. Pop them in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are beautifully golden. Once they’re out, let them cool on a wire rack. While they cool, mix your icing sugar with the milk to make a smooth icing. Finally, decorate your cookies with icing and sprinkle on those festive toppings! It’s all about the fun here, so get creative!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the estimated nutritional values for each cookie on your delightful *Santa cookie plate*. Each cookie contains approximately 150 calories, 7g of fat, 2g of protein, and 20g of carbohydrates. With about 10g of sugar, these festive treats are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping the holiday cheer alive! Remember, these values are estimates, so enjoy them in moderation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Making a *Santa cookie plate* is a delightful holiday tradition that brings joy to the whole family! Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- Quick and easy preparation—perfect for busy holiday schedules!
- Simple baking steps that even the little ones can help with.
- Festive decoration options let your creativity shine.
- Great way to spend quality time with family while creating lasting memories.
- Delicious cookies that are sure to impress Santa (and everyone else!)!
Tips for Success
To make sure your *Santa cookie plate* turns out perfectly every time, here are some handy tips! First, don’t overmix the dough once you combine wet and dry ingredients—this helps keep your cookies soft and tender. Also, be sure to chill the dough for about 30 minutes if it’s too sticky; this can make rolling easier and prevent spreading. When baking, keep an eye on those edges—once they turn golden, they’re ready! And for an extra burst of flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough. Happy baking!
Variations
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, there are so many fun ways to customize your *Santa cookie plate*! For a pop of color, try using different sprinkles—think gold stars or blue sugar crystals for a winter wonderland effect. You could also switch up the flavor by adding almond extract or even peppermint extract for a festive twist! And don’t forget about shapes—use cookie cutters to create stars, trees, or even Santa hats! Each variation adds a personal touch, making your cookie plate even more special. Get creative and have fun with it!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delightful *Santa cookie plate* fresh, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you have leftovers (which I doubt, because they’re so tasty!), you can also freeze them for up to two months. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply thaw at room temperature—no need to reheat, as they’re best enjoyed soft and fresh!
FAQ Section
Got questions about your *Santa cookie plate*? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries I’ve heard:
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Absolutely! Whole wheat flour can give your cookies a nice nutty flavor, but be aware they might be a bit denser. You could also try half and half for a lighter texture!
How do I make my cookies softer?
To achieve soft cookies, avoid overbaking them! Pull them out when the edges are golden, but the centers still look slightly underbaked. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can! Just shape the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet to freeze, and then transfer to a bag once solid. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them in the oven straight from the freezer!
What can I use instead of icing sugar?
If you’re in a pinch, you can blend granulated sugar until it’s fine to make a quick substitute. It may not be as smooth, but it’ll still taste delicious!
How long can I store the cookies?
These tasty treats can last up to a week in an airtight container. If you freeze them, they can last for about two months! Perfect for enjoying later during the holiday season!
Santa Cookie Plate: 5 Heartwarming Tips for Magic Moments
- Całkowity Czas: 32 minutes
- Ustępować: 24 cookies 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
A festive cookie plate designed for Santa.
Składniki
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- Red and green sprinkles
Instrukcje
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream butter and sugar together.
- Add in egg and vanilla, mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Shape dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden.
- Let cookies cool on a wire rack.
- Mix icing sugar and milk to make icing.
- Decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles.
Uwagi
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different shapes for variety.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar.
- Czas Przygotowania: 20 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 12 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cookie
- Kalorie: 150
- Cukier: 10g
- Sód: 50mg
- Kwasy: 7g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 4g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 2g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 20g
- Włókno: 0g
- Białko: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Słowa kluczowe: santa cookie plate, holiday cookies, Christmas treats
