Nothing warms a kitchen like a fresh tray of cookies. This cheerful guide covers five favorite holiday cookies with clear ingredient lists, step by step directions, and smart tips for turning a simple baking session into festive magic. Throughout this post, readers will find practical advice for cooking, easy recipes that are perfect for gifting, cookie swaps, or cozy nights by the tree.
1. Chai Snickerdoodles
These snickerdoodles bring a warm chai twist to the classic. Bread flour is used to build a chewy texture while brown butter adds deep, toffee like notes. Cream of tartar and baking soda give the cookie its signature lift and tang.
Ingredients
- Bread flour - creates more gluten for chew
- Dark brown sugar and granulated sugar - for moisture and crisp edges
- Brown butter - gives nutty, toffee flavor
- One whole egg + one yolk - richness
- Plain Greek yogurt - keeps cookies tender
- Cream of tartar, baking soda, salt
- Masala powder (cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper) and cinnamon sugar for rolling
Method
- Brown the butter, cool slightly, then mix with sugars, eggs, yolk, yogurt, and vanilla until just combined.
- Slowly fold in dry ingredients. If dough is crumbly, knead gently by hand and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Scoop into balls, roll in masala sugar, place 2 inches apart, and bake at 350 until edges are just golden.
Why it works
The combination of bread flour and brown butter yields a chewy center with crisp edges and complex flavor. This one is a standout for anyone looking for cooking, easy recipes with a twist.
2. Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
Simple to make, elegant on the plate. Adding cream cheese to the dough creates an ultra tender bite that melts in the mouth. Using only the egg yolk prevents a cakey, dry texture.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter and cream cheese - for rich, tender dough
- One egg yolk
- Flour, chopped pistachios (optional), and salt
- Raspberry preserves (or apricot, strawberry, lemon)
Method
- Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth, add egg yolk and sugar.
- Mix in flour, pistachios, and salt until no dry patches remain. Dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Scoop tablespoon portions, roll in sugar for sparkle, press thumb or teaspoon into center, fill with jam, and bake at 375 until edges are lightly golden.
3. Festive Spritz Cookies
Light, buttery, and great for decorating. This spritz recipe uses boiled egg yolks for a tender crumb and vanilla bean paste for flavor and pretty specks.
Ingredients
- Butter and cream cheese
- Boiled egg yolks pressed through a strainer
- Vanilla bean paste, sugar, flour, lemon zest, sprinkles
Method
- Beat butter and cream cheese, add sugar, vanilla bean paste, and grated yolks.
- Stir in flour on low speed, divide dough into thirds and tint red and green for a holiday set.
- Use a cookie press on a chilled baking sheet, decorate, and bake at 325 until edges are set but not browned.
4. Peanut Butter Blossoms
Classic, crowd pleasing, and they look adorable. The crackled sugar crust plus a chocolate kiss in the center is irresistible. Using both brown and granulated sugars balances chew and structure.
Ingredients
- Peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar
- Egg, vanilla
- Flour, baking soda, salt
- Chocolate kisses or mini chocolate pieces
Method
- Beat peanut butter, sugars, and butter until light and fluffy, add egg and vanilla.
- Mix in dry ingredients, chill dough for at least two hours.
- Roll into balls, coat in sugar or sprinkles, bake at 350 until edges are set but centers soft. Press a chocolate kiss into each hot cookie immediately after baking.
5. Peppermint Brownie Cookies
Rich, fudgy, and topped with crushed candy canes. Melting dark chocolate with butter, peppermint, and a pinch of espresso deepens the chocolate and produces that shiny, crinkly top reminiscent of brownies.
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate and butter
- Peppermint extract and espresso powder
- Flour, Dutch processed cocoa, black cocoa
- Eggs, granulated and brown sugar
- Crushed candy canes
Method
- Melt chocolate and butter with peppermint and espresso and cool slightly.
- Whip eggs with sugars until pale and ribbon like, fold in the cooled chocolate, then the dry ingredients.
- Scoop, bake at 350 about 10 minutes until edges look set. Drop the baking sheet on the counter to deflate cookies slightly, then press crushed candy canes on top while warm.
Baking tips for success
- Chill when instructed. Many doughs firm up and spread less when chilled, which helps shapes hold.
- Use scale when possible. Even scoop sizes mean more consistent baking results.
- Brown butter ahead. Brown butter can be made a day ahead to deepen flavor and save time on baking day for cooking, easy recipes planning.
- Act fast with center toppings. For blossoms and peppermint cookies add chocolate or candy canes as soon as the cookies come out so they stick without melting away.
Shareable tins and gifting ideas
Cookies are the heart of holiday gifting. Arrange a mix of snickerdoodles, thumbprints, spritz, blossoms, and peppermint brownie cookies in festive tins. Add a handwritten label and include a note about storage and best by dates. These small packages are the perfect way to spread cheer and introduce friends to effortless favorites from the cooking, easy recipes collection.
Homemade cookies are the sweetest way to show someone they are thought of this season.
This article was created from the video How To Make The Most Popular Holiday Cookies: Snickerdoodles, Peanut Butter Blossoms, and More! with the help of AI.
Ultimate Holiday Cookie Guide for cooking, easy recipes. There are any Ultimate Holiday Cookie Guide for cooking, easy recipes in here.
