Well, it’s that time of year again to bake Merry Christmas cookies! Can you believe the tradition of baking cookies during the holiday season dates back to Medieval Europe? That’s right! Back then, exotic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger were only accessible during the holidays, making them the perfect additions to Christmas cookie recipes. Over time, the tradition spread to the Americas with the influx of European settlers and has since become an integral part of the festive celebrations we know and love. So, get out your mixing bowls and whip up some delicious treats to share with family and friends. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a homemade cookie, right?
Classic Sugar Cookies:
My first recipe is for Classic Sugar Cookies:
Ingredients:
- 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
- Red and green colored sugar for decoration
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar and sprinkle with colored sugar.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Let cool on wire racks.
Classic Gingerbread Cookies:
My second recipe is for Gingerbread Cookies:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a small bowl until well blended.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and egg until well blended.
- Gradually beat in molasses and vanilla.
- Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.
- Roll dough to a 1/4-inch thickness, cut out cookie shapes with your favorite cutter, place on greased cookie sheets, and bake for about 7-10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
Gingerbread and sugar cookies are already great, but have you ever considered adding frosting to take them to the next level? The possibilities are endless – from intricate designs to simple swirls, your cookies will look festive and taste delicious. So don’t be afraid to get creative and let your imagination run wild. Gather your friends and family, put on some holiday tunes, and start decorating. Your cookies will be the star of the show at your holiday gathering. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Thank you for reading this blog post, and if you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the Comments section below.
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