Four Holiday Cookie Recipes to Delight Your Guests

The holiday season is here, bringing cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, and potluck dinners. Be the star of the show with these four delicious recipes for the best holiday cookies. From classic sugar cookies to festive gingerbread, these treats will surely impress!

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

Soft and chewy, these traditional cookie favorites can be cut into any shape imaginable, making them an essential part of the holiday season.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon milk
• Powdered sugar for rolling out dough

Directions

1. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light in color. Add egg and milk, and mix until combined.
3. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Divide the dough in half, wrap in wax paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough on a powdered sugar surface to ¼ inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and bake for 7-9 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Serve plain or iced.

2. Peanut Butter Blossoms

These candy-topped peanut butter cookies are always a hit! Did you know they debuted at the 1957 Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest?

Ingredients

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup shortening
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• Sugar for dusting
• Hershey's Kisses or mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until a stiff dough forms.
2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Top each cookie with a Hershey's Kiss or mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup immediately after baking.

3. Thumbprint Cookies

A crispy shortbread base topped with a dab of jam makes thumbprint cookies a classic holiday staple. Use your favorite jam for a personal touch!

Ingredients

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¾ cup (1½ sticks) butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Assorted jams for filling

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl. In another, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, then incorporate dry ingredients.
3. Scoop 1-inch balls onto prepared sheets. Press a thumbprint into each ball and fill with jam.
4. Bake for 13-14 minutes until edges are golden. Cool before serving.

4. Snickerdoodles

These buttery cookies, rolled in cinnamon sugar, are a delight for all ages. Bonus: there's no need to chill the dough!

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg plus 1 yolk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2¾ cups flour
• Cinnamon sugar for dusting (1/3 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg, yolk, vanilla, and remaining ingredients, mixing until combined.
3. Roll dough into balls and coat in cinnamon sugar. Place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

Ready to Start Baking?

Try these holiday cookie recipes to spread festive cheer and sweetness this season! Share this post with friends and organize a cookie exchange to have everyone sample your delicious treats

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