Oh, the joy of baking during the holiday season! There’s something so magical about the smell of cookies wafting through the house, especially when it’s chilly outside. These *simple Christmas cookies* are my go-to treat for gatherings, and believe me, they never last long! Every year, my family and I gather in the kitchen, rolling up our sleeves and sharing laughter as we mix, scoop, and bake. It’s a tradition that brings us together, and I can’t imagine the holidays without it. Trust me, these cookies are not only easy to whip up but they also capture the spirit of the season perfectly. You’ll want to make these part of your own holiday celebrations!
Ingredients for Simple Christmas Cookies
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: This is the backbone of your cookie dough, giving it structure and a delightful chewiness.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps the cookies rise and gives them that lovely, soft texture we all adore.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Just a little boost to ensure your cookies are light and fluffy.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing, and it adds that rich, buttery flavor!
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar: This sweetens the cookies beautifully and helps them achieve that perfect golden color.
- 1 egg: It binds everything together and adds moisture to the dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: You can’t go wrong with this classic flavor; it elevates the taste of your cookies.
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract: Just a hint of this adds a delightful twist and complements the vanilla perfectly.
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips: The star of the show! These little bites of chocolate add a burst of sweetness and richness in every cookie.
How to Prepare Simple Christmas Cookies
Getting these *simple Christmas cookies* ready is a breeze! Just follow these straightforward steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm, delicious cookies in no time. Trust me, the best part is the anticipation while they bake!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your cookies bake perfectly.
- In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This is your dry ingredient blend, so make sure it’s well combined!
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a spatula—whatever floats your boat!
- Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until everything is nicely combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is incorporated. Don’t overmix; we want tender cookies!
- Fold in those glorious chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving some space in between for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 9 to 11 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want them to be golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks. This helps them set perfectly!
And there you have it! Your kitchen will be filled with the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!
Tips for Success
To make sure your *simple Christmas cookies* turn out perfectly every time, here are some handy tips! First, make sure your butter is really softened—this helps create that light, fluffy texture we all love. If you’re in a hurry, you can cut it into small pieces and let it sit out for about 15 minutes. Next, don’t skip the chilling! If your dough feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This will help the cookies maintain their shape while baking. Also, remember to keep an eye on them in the oven; every oven is a bit different, so check for that golden edge! Lastly, feel free to get creative—add nuts, dried fruits, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a gourmet touch. You’ve got this!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You can whip up these cookies in just about 25 minutes, including baking time! Perfect for when you’re short on time but want to impress.
- Delicious Flavor: The combination of vanilla and almond extracts gives these cookies a unique, delightful taste that makes them stand out from ordinary cookies.
- Festive Appeal: With chocolate chips oozing out and that golden-brown color, these cookies are not just tasty; they’re also a treat for the eyes!
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like nuts or dried fruits, making each batch uniquely yours.
- Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are great for gatherings, parties, or just a cozy night in with family—everyone will love them!
- Kid-Friendly: They’re easy enough for kids to help make. Just watch out for the chocolate chips—they might disappear before they hit the dough!
Nutritional Information
These *simple Christmas cookies* are not just a delight to the taste buds; they also have some nutritional stats to consider! Each cookie is approximately 200 calories, with 10 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein, and 25 grams of carbohydrates. They also contain about 15 grams of sugar. Keep in mind, these values are estimates, so if you’re counting, it’s always good to double-check based on your specific ingredients. Enjoy your sweet treat in moderation!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *simple Christmas cookies* 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 later, you can freeze the cookies. Just place them in a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. When you’re ready to indulge, simply let them thaw at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds. Enjoy that freshly baked taste anytime!
FAQ Section
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! If you want to mix things up, feel free to swap out the semisweet chocolate chips for milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips. You could even try white chocolate chips for a sweeter twist or peanut butter chips for a nutty flavor. The beauty of these *simple Christmas cookies* is that you can really customize them to suit your taste!
How can I make the cookies softer?
If you’re aiming for softer cookies, there are a couple of tricks! First, try shortening the baking time to around 8 minutes—just keep an eye on them. The cookies will continue to cook slightly as they cool, so pulling them out when they’re still a little under-baked helps achieve that soft texture. You can also add an extra egg yolk to the dough for added moisture. Trust me, you’ll love the results!
Can I freeze these cookies?
Simple Christmas Cookies to Bring Joy this Holiday Season
- Całkowity Czas: 25 minutes
- Ustępować: 24 cookies 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Easy to make Christmas cookies perfect for the holiday season.
Składniki
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instrukcje
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Uwagi
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Feel free to add nuts or dried fruits.
- Adjust baking time for softer cookies.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 10 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cookie
- Kalorie: 200
- Cukier: 15g
- Sód: 150mg
- Kwasy: 10g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 6g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 4g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 25g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Słowa kluczowe: simple christmas cookies
