There is something truly special about the smell of cookies baking during the holidays. It is a scent that brings back warm memories and creates new ones. It just fills the whole house with joy, doesn’t it?
If you are looking for Christmas cookie recipes easy enough for anyone to make, you have come to the right place. This recipe is straightforward, fun, and yields the most delicious spiced cookies, ready for all your creative decorating ideas.
Jump To:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? These cookies are the whole holiday package. They are simple to mix together, and the dough is very forgiving. It is a fantastic recipe for getting kids involved in the kitchen.
The flavor is just right. We use a gentle blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. This gives the cookies a classic holiday taste without being overpowering. They are sweet, spiced, and oh so comforting.
Plus, they hold their shape beautifully when baked. This makes them the ideal canvas for decorating. Whether you are a royal icing pro or just starting out, you will have a blast making these festive treats.
These are truly easy holiday cookies Christmas bakers will adore. You do not need any fancy equipment. A bowl, a whisk, and a bit of enthusiasm are all it takes to get started on this fun project.
It’s one of those Christmas cookie recipes easy enough to become a yearly tradition. Just imagine a plate of these, beautifully decorated, waiting for Santa or shared with loved ones.
Ingredients
Let’s gather everything we need. The ingredients are simple pantry staples, which makes these quick Christmas cookies even better. No last minute trips to the store needed!
For The Cookies
- 110 g unsalted butter, soft and at room temperature
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 250 g all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
For The Royal Icing (Option 1)
- 1 egg white or 30g pasteurized egg whites
- 400 g icing sugar, plus more to adjust consistency
- Water
- Liquid or gel food colouring
For The Royal Icing (Option 2)
- 150 g icing sugar
- 1 tbsp meringue powder
- Water
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get baking! Following these steps will give you the best Christmas cookie recipe results every time. It’s a simple process, so let’s have some fun with it.
Step 1: Cream The Butter And Sugar
In a medium bowl, use a whisk to beat the soft butter, sugar, and salt together. Keep going until the mixture is light and creamy. This step adds air, which makes for a tender cookie.
Step 2: Add The Wet Ingredients
Now, add the egg and mix it in until it is fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if you need to. Then, stir in the vanilla and all those lovely spices. Mix everything together one more time.
Step 3: Combine The Dry Ingredients And Chill
Add the flour and baking powder to the bowl. Use a spatula to gently mix everything. When it gets too thick for the spatula, use your hands to briefly knead it into a cohesive dough.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This chilling step is important! It makes the dough much easier to roll out and helps the cookies keep their shape.
Step 4: Roll And Cut The Cookies
Once chilled, place the dough on a lightly floured surface. If it was in the fridge longer than 30 minutes, let it sit for a few minutes to soften slightly. This prevents it from cracking.
Roll the dough until it is about 2 to 3mm thick. Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters to cut out shapes. A thin metal spatula is great for lifting the delicate shapes off your work surface.
Step 5: Bake The Cookies
Preheat your oven to 180°C or 350°F. Place the cookies on a non stick baking tray. If your tray is not non stick, be sure to line it with baking paper first. This makes cleanup so much easier.
Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just slightly golden brown. Let them cool completely on the tray before moving them. This is key for decorating, as warm cookies will melt the icing.
Step 6: Prepare The Royal Icing
For option one, place the egg whites in a clean bowl. Sift the icing sugar over the top. Beat them together until they combine. For option two, sift the icing sugar and meringue powder together, then add water slowly to form a paste.
You need to check the consistency. Make a little dot of icing on a plate. It should hold its shape without spreading. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit of water. If it’s too thin, sift in more icing sugar.
Step 7: Decorate Your Cookies
Now for the best part! If you are adding food coloring, remember it can thin out the icing a bit. Place your icing in a piping bag with a small nozzle. This gives you much better control.
Hold the nozzle about 3mm above the cookie and gently squeeze, letting the icing fall onto the surface. You can use a toothpick to smooth lines or fix small mistakes. Let parts of your design dry for 5 to 10 minutes before adding new details on top.
This is one of those Christmas cookie recipes easy enough that even the decorating part is stress free. Embrace the fun and get creative! They don’t have to be picture perfect.
How To Store Leftovers
If you have any cookies left over, which is a big if, storing them is simple. For undecorated cookies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week.
For decorated cookies, you need to be a bit more careful. Let the royal icing dry completely first. This can take several hours. Once fully set, store them in a single layer in an airtight container. They will last for about 5 days.
Tips
Want to make this the best Christmas cookie recipe you have ever tried? Here are a few little tips to help you along the way. These make the process for these simple Christmas cookies even smoother.
- Do Not Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix only until it is just combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
- Chill Is Key: Do not skip chilling the dough. It is the secret to cookies that do not spread in the oven and are easy to handle.
- Use Parchment Paper: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat ensures your cookies will not stick and makes for easy cleanup.
- Icing Consistency: Getting the right icing consistency is a bit of an art. Go slowly when adding water or sugar to adjust it. A little goes a long way.
- Have Fun With It: Remember, baking should be fun! These easy holiday cookies Christmas themed treats are meant to bring joy. Don’t worry about perfection.
Conclusion
There you have it! A wonderful and straightforward recipe for holiday cookies. This is one of those Christmas cookie recipes easy enough to become a cherished family tradition for years to come.
The warm spices, the fun of decorating, and the delicious final result make it all worthwhile. So, put on some festive music, gather your loved ones, and get ready to make some beautiful and tasty memories.
FAQ
Can I Make The Dough Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and store it, well wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge before rolling.
My Dough Is Cracking When I Roll It. What Did I Do Wrong?
Nothing at all! This usually just means the dough is a little too cold right out of the fridge. Let it sit on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes to warm up slightly, and it should become much more pliable.
What If I Do Not Have A Piping Bag?
While a piping bag with a small nozzle gives you the most control, you can improvise. A sturdy plastic zip top bag with a tiny corner snipped off will work in a pinch for these simple Christmas cookies.
Can I Use Different Spices?
Of course! Feel free to customize the spices to your liking. Nutmeg, cardamom, or even a little allspice would be delicious additions. Making these quick Christmas cookies your own is part of the fun.
Classic Christmas Spiced Cookies
These straightforward and fun Christmas cookies boast a classic holiday flavor with gentle ginger, cinnamon, and clove spices. The dough is forgiving, holds its shape beautifully for decorating, and is easy enough for any baker to enjoy creating festive treats.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, use a whisk to beat the soft butter, sugar, and salt together until light and creamy.
- Add the egg and mix until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides if needed. Stir in the vanilla and all the spices, mixing everything one more time.
- Add the flour and baking powder. Use a spatula to gently mix, then use your hands to briefly knead into a cohesive dough.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes to make it easier to roll out and prevent spreading.
- Once chilled, place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough until it is about 2 to 3mm thick. Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Use a thin metal spatula to lift delicate shapes.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Place cookies on a non-stick baking tray, or line it with baking paper.
- Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden. Cool completely on the tray before decorating.
- For Royal Icing (Option 1): Place the egg whites in a clean bowl. Sift the icing sugar over the top. Beat them together until they combine.
- For Royal Icing (Option 2): Sift the icing sugar and meringue powder together, then add water slowly to form a paste.
- You need to check the consistency. Make a little dot of icing on a plate. It should hold its shape without spreading. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit of water. If it’s too thin, sift in more icing sugar.
- Now for the best part! If you are adding food coloring, remember it can thin out the icing a bit. Place your icing in a piping bag with a small nozzle. This gives you much better control.
- Hold the nozzle about 3mm above the cookie and gently squeeze, letting the icing fall onto the surface. You can use a toothpick to smooth lines or fix small mistakes. Let parts of your design dry for 5 to 10 minutes before adding new details on top.
Notes
Do Not Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix only until it is just combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
Chill Is Key: Do not skip chilling the dough. It is the secret to cookies that do not spread in the oven and are easy to handle.
Use Parchment Paper: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat ensures your cookies will not stick and makes for easy cleanup.
Icing Consistency: Getting the right icing consistency is a bit of an art. Go slowly when adding water or sugar to adjust it. A little goes a long way.
Have Fun With It: Remember, baking should be fun! These easy holiday cookies Christmas themed treats are meant to bring joy. Don’t worry about perfection.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
