Baking, just like stockings, carols and Christmas trees, is a Christmas tradition. Christmas cookies are traditional sugary biscuits cut into several shapes and symbols related to the festival. From gingerbread to shortbread to pizzelle, here are 15 Christmas cookies recipes to fill your home with the Christmas spirit. These cookies will not just taste good, but will impress the friends and family as well.
Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Really wonderful and tempting Snowflake Sugar Cookies. if you are planning to make this for Christmas, visit stace’s blog. She has written it clearly
http://stuffbystace.blogspot.com.au/2010/12/snowflake-sugar-cookies.html
1. Sugar Cutout cookies from krissys-creations.com
Cut out sugar cookies with crisp edges are extremely popular at Christmas. Make cut outs in different shapes and sizes to please your kids. Select the base from sugar cookies, thumbprints, biscotti, shortbread and more. Some royal icing colors and a little imagination will surprise and delight each one of your guests. You can also decorate the Christmas tree with cut out cookies to capture the spirit of the occasion.
2. Gingerbread cookies from chatelaine.com
Gingerbread is a confectionery prepared from honey, ginger and molasses. It is ideal for cutting out cookies as it maintains its shape well when baked. You can cut the cookie in a round or square shape or any shape you desire. The strong fragrance of molasses, ginger, cloves and nutmeg will evoke the warm memories of Christmas. Press some raisins or currants into the cookie dough before baking for a delicious punch of flavor. Dust some icing sugar on the gingerbread cookie to give an impression of fallen snow. You can also use Gingerbread Men as Christmas tree decoration or gift tags. Gingerbread tastes double delicious when paired with a hot drink.
3. Shortbread cookies from thecafesucrefarine.com
Christmas celebrations would be incomplete without the shortbread cookies. This rich, tender, and straw colored cookie originated in Scotland. It gets its name from its crumbly texture, provided by the high fat content of the butter. It is mainly made with four ingredients- sugar, butter, vanilla extract and flour. You can cut the shortbreads into various shapes and sizes using the cookie cutter. You can also stuff the cookies with dry fruits, grated coconut or pecans for a twist of flavor. While preparing the shortbread cookies, make sure you use a high quality butter and pure vanilla extract.
4. Spritz Cookies from themisfitbaker.com
Spritz cookies are a simple way to add variety to your tray of cookies. Spritz cookies, also known as pressed butter cookies are popular Christmas cookies in Scandinavia and North America. The cookie originated in Germany. The name “Sprits” comes from a German word “Spritzen”, which means to squirt. The cookie is made by using a cookie press gun, which squirts the dough though a decorative template, giving you wonderful looking cookies. Spritz cookies have a sweet, vanilla flavor with a crispy texture. You require basic ingredients like flour, vanilla extract, butter and sugar for preparing this cookie. It has a rich, buttery flavor, which will keep your kids wanting for more. You can also make designs like flowers, trees, stars, rosettes and stripes onto cookie. Serve them plain or decorate with cherries, nuts, sugar and sugar coated candies to make them more appealing.
5. Thumbprint cookies from betivanilla.blogspot.in
Thumbprint cookies are popular Christmas preparation. The name “thumbprint” comes from the fact that you have to use your thumb to make an indentation in each ball and fill it with the jam of your choice. The dough is prepared using basic cookie ingredients. It is then formed into balls and then rolled in nuts or dried coconut. Thumbprint cookie is not just limited to basic cookie dough or jam filling. You can add cocoa powder or orange zest to the plain vanilla dough for a different flavor. Decorate it with a variety of toppings like finely chopped pecans, almonds or walnuts and fill the indentation with white or dark chocolate to make it more inviting. Remember, thumbprint cookie dough is extremely soft, so refrigerate them until they are firm.
6. Chocolate chip cookies from philly.com
Good old, chocolate chip cookies are the go-to after school snack. These comforting and satisfying cookies are one of the most deliciously sweet treats ever created. It is made by combining unsalted butter, white and brown sugar, vanilla essence, cocoa powder, all-purpose flour and chocolate chips. This will produce rich and melt-in-the-mouth cookies with caramelized edges. You can also add nuts and oatmeal for a variation. Dust it with icing sugar to make it appear like a snow-covered mountain.
7. Pfeffernusse from pastrystudio.blogspot.in
Pfeffernusse is believed to be Santa’s favorite cookie. The cookie gets is name from a variety of spices contained in it. These tiny, spicy cookies are very popular in Germany, Netherlands and Denmark. The classic pfeffernusse recipe consists of aromatic spices like cinnamon, anise and cloves. Some also dust the cookie with powdered sugar. The snowy exterior of the cookie will contrast well with its peppery flavor. This classic German cookie turns more intense in flavor when stored in airtight container for a few weeks.
8. Speculaas Cookies from weekendbakery.com
Speculaas cookies are traditional Dutch cookies baked especially for Christmas celebration. They are thin, crunchy, brown and have an image or figure from the traditional stories about St. Nicholas. This spicy cookie contains ingredients like white pepper, green cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. You can also use less or no spice at all. While preparing the cookie, make sure the dough does not heat too quickly. You will require Springerle molds to shape this fragrant cookie. Top it with sparkling sugar or shaved almonds for a contrast in flavor.
9. Pizzelle cookies from eat-drink-love.com
Pizzelle is a traditional Italian cookie made with eggs, flour, sugar, butter and vegetable oil. In fact, it is the oldest known cookie. The cookie dough is put into a pizzelle iron, which produces thin, waffle like cookies. The cookie is then embossed with patterns depicting the family or some hint of its village of origin. The dough is flavored with vanilla, lemon zest or anise to make it more palatable. It is also served in a cone shape or a roll. You can fill the cone with fillings of your choice.
10. Fruit Tartlets cookies from sheknows.com
Fruit tartlets cookies are tarts with a twist. Instead of using a traditional tart mold, we will be using plain cookies for the base. Prebake the cookies and spread a thin layer of apricot or black currant glaze. This will prevent the cookie from softening over time. Apply a layer of whipped cream on the cookie and top it with fruits of your choice. Chill the cookies for 30 minutes and then serve. Make sure to place the fruits properly so that it looks pleasing. Use different shapes of cookie cutter to create fun fruit tartlets cookies. This cookie will surely bring a smile to your visitor’s face.
11. Meringue Cookies from www.budget101.com
Who does not love Meringue cookies? They are crisp, light, airy, and sweet and just melt in the mouth. This cookie is made from two basic ingredients- egg whites and castor sugar. Beat both the ingredients well so that they reach the maximum level. Add the sugar gradually to ensure that the sugar dissolves completely and does not produce gritty meringue. Meringue cookies can be topped with ice cream, whipped cream, fresh fruits or sorbets, anything that you like. You can also add colors like pink, purple, green and blue to make it more appetizing.
12. Almond cookies from mommart.blogspot.in
Delicious and crisp almond cookies are loved by both kids and adult. They have a rich butter and almond flavor and are extremely soft. Its crisp and crunchy texture tastes amazing dipped in hot chocolate. Roast the almond for a while to bring out its wonderful flavor. Cut the almonds in large chunks and add to the baking dough. You can also use pure almond extract to intensify the flavor. They are not very difficult to make and look amazing on the cookie tray.
13. Linzer Cookies from pastrypal.com
Linzer cookies are extremely easy to prepare. They originated in the City of Linz, Austria. Two almond flavored cookies are sandwiched together with a layer of jam. Its crust is made with sugar, almond, egg yolk, groundnuts, flour, spices and lemon zest. Roast the almonds to bring out its full flavor. Once it cools down, process it finely and add to the dough. Use black currant or raspberry jam, to fill the cookies. The cookies are crisp at first, but turn soft as it is filled with jam. Fill the jam the day of serving to prevent it from softening. Coat the cookie with powdered sugar and cut it into any shape you want.
14. Candy Cane Cookies from thekitchenismyplayground.com
Candy canes are a symbol of Christmas and there could be nothing more apt than candy cane cookies on this festival. These cute looking cookies are crisp, tender and have a delicious sweet almond flavor. Even the adults love these cookies as much as the kids do, especially with a hot drink. It might be a bit more intensive than other cookies, but it is worth every effort. You can make the cookies in peppermint, almond or chocolate flavor. Shape the cookies into cane shape by curving it, just like a hook. Use just the egg yolks instead of whole egg to impart an intense flavor. The cookies can be stored for a week.
15. Sugar Cookies from thesweetjoyofbaking.blogspot.in
Sugar cookies are sweet and tender cookies with crisp edges. It is a Christmas favorite. You can serve the cookies plain, sprinkled with colored sugar or royal icing. Make sure the cookie edges are brown, especially if you are frosting them. While frosting or icing, leave enough space around the interlocking slots to ensure that the cookies fit well together.
