My Best Christmas Cookies
'Tis the season for holiday baking. Today I'm sharing recipes for my best Christmas cookies! Whether you're baking holiday cookies for the first time or looking for something different to add to your usual assortment, these are five of my personal favorites.
One of the things I love to do in the weeks leading to Christmas is bake cookies. For the past couple years, my mom and I would each make our best Christmas cookies and then swap some with each other. Given that we now live a few hours apart, I'm not sure if we'll do that. However, you can bet I'll still be baking my favorite cookies (and probably be setting aside a few for her). In thinking about which cookies to make this year, I decided to compile a short list of my favorites and share them with you. Most of these are recipes I've made many times, so I know they'll be a hit.
Peanut Butter Lover's Peanut Butter Cookies
This is actually a recipe I created this year for Fall Cookie Week, but it's one I had to include because it became an instant favorite with IBC readers.
To me, a peanut butter cookie is a must on a holiday cookie tray. So why not make the cookie extra special by stuffing it with even more peanut butter?
Sweater Weather Sugar Cookies
These cookies, which I shared on the blog last year, recently gained acclaim in BHG's Christmas Ideas Magazine. I had to include them on my faves list because they are super cute, plus they are made from my mom's go-to sugar cookie recipe. She has been making this recipe for as long as I can remember. I just used a sweater cookie cutter and added fancy piping.
I assume most families have their own go-to sugar cookie recipe, but if you don't or want to experiment this year, give this recipe a try.
"Crack" Cookies
Without question, these are my family's favorite cookie. Everyone on my dad's side goes crazy for them, and they have become my aunt's favorite Christmas cookie. They are technically White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread cookies, but my family has dubbed them "crack" cookies.
In the recipe I shared for these, I dyed them purple for a bake sale benefit for my aunt. However, they are the perfect holiday cookie when left white and red. I'm certain your family will love them as much as mine does. Get the recipe here.
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
I'll be the first to admit that sometimes baking cookies can be a bit tedious, especially when you have a million other things to do. That's why it's nice to have a few easy cookie recipes, such as this one, to use along with the fancier, time-intensive ones.
Not only are these crazy simple to make, but they are super tasty. In fact, you can use store-bought cookie dough, and no one will be the wiser. That's what I did.
Crock-Pot Candy
My mom made this Crock-Pot Candy a couple years ago, and I turned my nose up at it when saw it. I'm not a big chocolate person, so initially, it didn't spark my interest. However, that was before I had a bite . . . then I couldn't stop eating it.
The combination of ingredients creates a wonderful flavor, and the saltiness from the nuts works well with the sweetness of the chocolate. This recipe also makes a ton, which is perfect for gifting. And yes, technically they aren't a cookie, but they serve the same purpose and go nicely with the cookies on your tray.
Cream Wafer Cookies
Okay. Here's the deal. If I could only have one Christmas cookie, these would be it. Hands down these are my favorite Christmas cookie AND possibly my all-time favorite cookie.
While they are a bit more time consuming to make because they are a sandwich-style cookie, they are definitely worth it. Usually, I make them round which is a bit easier than the tree shape, but you can do whatever you like. (I made these for fall once in a round shape with different colors. You can see them here.) If you only make one new-to-you cookie, these should be it. They will not let you down.
And that's it, for now. I hope you set aside time this Christmas season to do a little holiday baking yourself. Let me know in the comments below what your favorite Christmas cookie is or which one of my best Christmas cookies you'd most like to try.
Happy Baking!
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