Sometimes it can be difficult to obtain the Christmas Spirit. Stress is abundant in almost everyone as many families travel, shop, and refrain from just having a good time. One of the best solutions is to spend time with those you love, and what better activity to do than create some tasty cookies together! I have collected some of the most preeminent cookie recipes that you can make with your loved ones this December; it may just bring you some of that Christmas cheer.

Butter cookies are some of the most classic cookies and versatile cookies baked predominantly in December when they tend to become the most popular. The best part about Christmas butter cookies is that they can be easily manipulated into Christmas shapes and topped with any icing. I recommend ornamental frosting because it dries hard and is pipable, plus it won’t create a mess. While baking, butter cookie dough won’t spread and lose its shape. 

You will need:

1 cup of butter

Half cup of sugar

1 large egg

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

Half a tsp. baking powder

Assorted colored granulated sugars for decorating and ornamental frosting

Directions: Preheat oven to 350ºF. In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high, beat until light and creamy. At low speed, beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour and baking powder. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Wrap each piece with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour. On a lightly floured surface; with floured rolling pin, roll 1 piece of dough and use cookie cutters to cut the dough into as many cookies as possible, then wrap and refrigerate the trimmings. Place cookies on a baking sheet. Bake cookies for ten to twelve minutes, until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool. When the cookies are cool, you’re free to decorate them!

The next batch of cookies are classic gingerbread cookies, which are a must-have for Christmas. These decadent cookies are crisp on the exterior but have a soft and chewy center.The most ideal part of these cookies is the vast variety of ways these gingerbread cookies can be decorated. Royal icing is the most evident icing used when decorating as it’s simple to use and dries quick. These cookies aren’t just tasty but are simple to make as well.

You will need: 

3 ¼ cups of flour

1 tablespoon of ginger

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

¾ tbsp of baking soda

¾ cup of unsalted butter

1 egg

½ cup of brown sugar 

Sprinkles and icing (optional)

Directions: In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients. Next use an electric mixer to mix the butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. Next add the egg and flour until combined. Divide the dough into two portions, and roll out piece of the dough into balls. Flatten the balls and wrap in plastic and let chill for two hours. After chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Unwrap the dough and use a floured rolling pin roll the dough out and use a cookie cutter to cut the gingerbread into shapes. Bake for eight to ten minutes until lightly brown, let cool, and then decorate.

Finally, we have peppermint meltaways. These cookies are effortless, melt in your mouth, and only take forty-five minutes to create. They are made with peppermint sugar cookies, peppermint icing, and topped with crushed candy canes. Remember, you can never have too much peppermint. These cookies are ideal if you’re in a rush and are able to be stored in an airtight container. You can even dip the tops of these treats into melted white chocolate rather than using frosting.

For the cookies you will need: 

1 cup of salted butter

½ cup of confectioner’s sugar

½ tsp of peppermint extract

1 ¼ cups of all purpose flour

½ cup of cornstarch

For the icing you will need:

2 tbsp of softened butter

2 tbsp of 2% milk

¼ tsp of peppermint extract

2-3 drops of red food coloring

1 ½ cups of confectioners sugar

½ cup of crushed peppermint candies

Directions: Mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then put in extract. In another bowl whisk the flour and cornstarch, then combine. Refrigerate for thirty minutes. Now preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit, shape the dough into balls, and bake nine to eleven minutes. Set the cookies out to dry. For the icing, beat the butter, milk, extract, and food coloring. Now beat in the confectioner’s sugar until smooth, spread over cookies, top with crushed candy canes, and enjoy!

If you ever need some Christmas cheer, festive cookies are the way to go. You can never go wrong with these distinct and mouth-watering flavors. Baking Christmas cookies is rewarding as well as a way to spend time with those you love. Even if baking isn’t your forte, these recipes are hassle-free and can ensure that your cookies will come out the way you prefer.