Holiday Cookie Recipes To Bake & Share With Friends
Have you ever gotten together, before the holiday season, with friends to bake cookies? This is so fun! Not sure what is better the laughter or the delicious cookies we all share after the baking is done! Both can be a well-welcome respite during the hustle and bustle of your busy, over-scheduled holiday season.
Think of baking cookies with laughing friends as medicine for your soul.
Unwrapping the Joy of the Season with Cookies
The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the air. What better way to celebrate than by gathering your friends for a festive evening of cookie baking?
Join us in unwrapping the magic of the season with your favorite Christmas cookie recipes, creating a delectable array to share on festive cookie plates.
Planning A Sweet Celebration with Friends
Friends and Festivities
There’s something magical about friends coming together in the kitchen, each armed with their favorite cookie recipes. Start by reaching out to your favorite people who share a love for holiday baking. Plan an evening of shared joy, laughter, and, of course, cookies.
Cookie Plates
Galore Encourage your friends to bring their favorite Christmas cookie recipes to the table. Whether it’s a classic sugar cookie, a chewy chocolate delight, or a unique spin on a traditional favorite, the more variety, the merrier the celebration. Imagine the delight of creating a vibrant assortment of festive cookie plates!
From Dough to Deliciousness
Dough Galore: As the ovens preheat, the magic begins with everyone bringing their cookie dough to life. The kitchen transforms into a hub of creativity and camaraderie. From classic sugar cookie dough to the rich aroma of chocolate-infused delights, the possibilities are as diverse as the friendships being celebrated.
What kind of cookies should we bake?
The choices are endless! Let everyone choose their favorite cookie to make and each baker is responsible for bringing all the ingredients necessary.
Some cookie choices to bake for the holiday season are the classic gingerbread cookies, peanut butter blossoms, oatmeal cookies, and easy Christmas cookies
The possibilities are endless! There may be some cake-like cookies, sandwich cookies, chewy cookies, and cookies with crisp edges
Chewy Chocolate Wonders
In the world of cookies, chewy chocolate creations hold a special place. Whether it’s gooey chocolate chip cookies or decadent double chocolate delights, the combination of chewiness and chocolatey goodness is sure to evoke smiles and satisfy sweet cravings.
Chocolate Chip
No doubt someone will bake with chocolate chips.
Candy Canes
Someone may crush candy canes and add to cookies. I am thinking additionally some will bake buttery shortbread cookies and their version of a classic Christmas cookie.
I’ll even bet one of the bakers brings a cookie cutter or two to share.
Baking with friends is a nice way to celebrate the Christmas season and get in the holiday spirit. You will no doubt all agree that there is at least one perfect holiday cooker maker.
Creating Lasting Memories
Festive Stories
As the cookies bake to perfection, the kitchen becomes a lively storytelling haven. Share your favorite holiday traditions, recount cherished memories, and revel in the joy of the season. Every story adds a sprinkle of magic to the cookies being prepared.
Treasures from the Oven
As the final batches emerge, the grand cookie exchange begins. Picture a table adorned with festive cookie plates, each holding a unique blend of favorite Christmas cookie recipes. The shared joy and anticipation of tasting each other’s creations create an atmosphere of holiday bliss.
Take-Home Treats
A Delicious Reminder of Friendship Farewell with Festive Cookie Plates
The grand finale is the exchange of take-home treats. Each friend leaves with a delightful assortment of cookies, carefully arranged on festive cookie plates. These take-home treats become more than just a snack; they’re a sweet reminder of shared joy, laughter, and the warmth of the holiday season.
Everyone’s favorite holiday cookie recipes!
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 granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour. Roll out the dough, cut into shapes, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, then fold in the chocolate chips. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets and bake for 9-11 minutes.
Peppermint Bark Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Crushed candy canes for topping
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and peppermint extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Roll the dough into balls, place on a baking sheet, and flatten slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Once cooled, melt white chocolate and drizzle over the cookies. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg
Instructions:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat together butter, molasses, and egg. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Divide the dough, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour. Roll out the dough, cut into shapes, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Shape the dough into balls, roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture, and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Raspberry Linzer Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup ground almonds
1/2 cup raspberry jam
Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and ground almonds. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Divide the dough, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour. Roll out the dough, cut into rounds, and use a smaller cutter to create a window in half of the rounds. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes. Spread jam on the full rounds and top with the windowed rounds. Dust with powdered sugar.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
Check out my How To Store Fresh Baked Cookies article for tips about how to store all your favorite holiday cookies from your cookie exchange
The Cookie Scoop
Baking, sharing, and spreading holiday cheer with friends, what could be better?
Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the tradition of baking and sharing cookies with friends stands out as a timeless celebration of togetherness. So, gather your favorite Christmas cookie recipes, invite your friends, and let the magic of holiday baking create cherished memories that linger long after the last crumb is enjoyed. After all, the best way to spread holiday cheer is to bake and share it with those you hold dear.
Happy baking!
Marj Bates enjoys spending time exploring the South Shore with her puppies hunting down cool new things from Boston to the Cape when she is not writing for Declutterbuzz.
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