Classic Christmas Spice Cookies
These classic Christmas spice cookies are perfect for holiday baking, featuring a delightful blend of warm spices and a tender texture. They are ideal for decorating and sharing with loved ones.
Equipment
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
- Large Bowl
- Electric Mixer
- Medium Bowl
- Whisk
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie Cutters
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (about 180g)
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
Wet Ingredients
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick or 113g)
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 0.25 cup brown sugar, packed (50g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Decorations
- Festive sprinkles
- royal icing for decorating
- citrus zest, chocolate chips, nuts for twists
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Mixing the Dough
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Chilling and Forming
- Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for best results and easier handling.
- For dropped cookies, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- For cut-out cookies, roll out chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface, then cut shapes with cookie cutters and transfer to baking sheets.
Baking and Cooling
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers are just set; baking time may vary.
- Cool cookies on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorating
- Once completely cool, decorate with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter as desired.
Notes
Chilling the dough is crucial for firm cookies and easier handling, especially for cut-out shapes. Do not overbake to ensure tender cookies. Get creative with decorations to personalize your holiday treats. Adjust spice levels to your preference for a bolder flavor profile.