Introduction to Santa’s Cookies Recipe
As the holiday season rolls in, I often find myself daydreaming about the scent of freshly baked cookies wafting through my home. That’s where my Santa’s Cookies Recipe comes in—it’s my personal favorite and a quick solution for those bustling days leading up to Christmas. These delicious cookies are not only festive but also a surefire way to bring family and friends together. Imagine the smiles on your loved ones’ faces when they taste these decadent treats; it’s the perfect sweet ending to a joyful holiday gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Santa’s Cookies Recipe
This Santa’s Cookies Recipe offers a delightful combination of ease and taste, making it a perfect choice for busy moms or professionals. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a batch of mouthwatering cookies that all ages adore. Plus, the vibrant colors of the M&M’s and sprinkles add a festive touch. Trust me, your kitchen will feel like a winter wonderland with these sweet treats enticing everyone around!
Ingredients for Santa’s Cookies Recipe
Before you dive into the magical world of baking, let’s gather our ingredients for Santa’s Cookies! Each one plays a special role in creating these festive delights. You can find detailed measurements at the bottom of the article for easy printing.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is essential here; it blends beautifully with sugars, ensuring that your cookies are rich and smooth.
- Light Brown Sugar: This adds a lovely caramel flavor and moisture, making your cookies chewy and irresistible.
- Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and a crisp edge, granulated sugar balances the richness of the brown sugar.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla brings warmth and enhances all the other flavors, wrapping your cookies in a comforting hug.
- Large Eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture, helping the cookies rise and bind together perfectly.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of the recipe, giving the cookies the right texture. You can substitute with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
- Kosher Salt: A pinch of salt intensifies the sweetness and rounds out the flavor, making every bite even more enjoyable.
- Baking Soda: This works as a leavening agent, giving your cookies that light and airy quality. Remember, baking soda is essential for a perfect rise.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These little morsels bring that beloved chocolatey goodness, melting just right as they bake.
- White Chocolate Chips: For a sweet contrast, these add creamy sweetness that complements the semi-sweet chocolate beautifully.
- Holiday M&M’s Candy: Vibrant and colorful, these candies not only taste great but also bring a festive flair to your cookies.
- Holiday Jimmies: Sprinkles add the final festive touch, making each cookie look as good as it tastes! You could swap these out for other colored sprinkles if you’d like.
Gather these ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to create some magical moments in the kitchen! Let’s make Santa’s Cookies, a treat that will surely bring joy to everyone this holiday season.
How to Make Santa’s Cookies Recipe
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s get down to the sweet business of baking! Here’s a simple guide to making Santa’s Cookies that will impress even the fussiest of eaters. The joy of baking is in the details, so let’s take it step by step!
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
The first step to cookie perfection is preheating your oven. Set it to 350 degrees F. While the oven warms up, take a moment to line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures that our cookies don’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze. Trust me, preparation is key to successful baking!
Step 2: Blend the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine your softened unsalted butter with the light brown and granulated sugars. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for about two minutes, until the mixture is creamy and well-blended. This process, known as creaming, is essential because it introduces air into the dough, giving your cookies a light texture!
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add in your large eggs, one at a time, along with that fragrant vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until it’s fully combined. This step not only adds moisture but also seals in all the delicious flavors. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of vanilla wafting through the kitchen?
Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients
Now, it’s time for the dry ingredients. Slowly add the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking soda into the bowl. Mix on low speed just until they’re combined. Be cautious here—overmixing can lead to tough cookies. We want them soft and chewy, ready to melt in your mouth!
Step 5: Fold in the Fun Ingredients
Time for the fun part! Using a spatula, gently fold in the semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, along with the colorful Holiday M&M’s and sprinkles. This is where you can get creative! Feel free to customize by adding nuts, dried fruit, or even swapping the white chocolate for mint chocolate chips if you’re feeling adventurous.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, drop generous amounts of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, placing them about two inches apart. This will give them room to spread while baking. Pop them in the oven for 11-13 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want the edges to be lightly golden and the centers to look a bit soft. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy the aroma wafting through your home; it’s what the holidays are all about!
Tips for Success
- Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Don’t overmix once you add the flour; it keeps cookies tender and chewy.
- For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for extra holiday flavor.
- Experiment with different types of chocolate chips for unique twists!
Equipment Needed for Santa’s Cookies Recipe
- Large Mixing Bowl: A sturdy bowl for blending everything together. A glass or metal bowl works great!
- Electric Mixer: While an electric mixer makes life easier, you can use a whisk and some elbow grease for mixing!
- Baking Sheets: Essential for holding your delicious cookies. If you don’t have any, a large oven-safe pan will do.
- Parchment Paper: Makes for easy baking and cleanup. Foil can be used in a pinch, but it won’t prevent sticking as well.
- Cookie Scoop: For uniform cookies. If you don’t have a scoop, a tablespoon will work just fine!
Variations of Santa’s Cookies Recipe
- Nutty Delight: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch and added flavor. This is perfect for nut lovers!
- Dried Fruit Twist: Mix in some dried cranberries or cherries for a pop of tartness that perfectly balances the sweetness.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
- Holiday Spice: Incorporate a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough for a warm, spicy holiday flavor that enchants your taste buds.
- Minty Fresh: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for mint chocolate chips for a refreshing twist on the traditional cookie.
- Fudgey Chocolate Version: Increase the chocolate chips to 2 cups and skip the white chocolate chips for an extra chocolaty treat!
Serving Suggestions for Santa’s Cookies Recipe
- Pair your cookies with a tall glass of cold milk for the classic treat experience.
- Enjoy them alongside a warm mug of hot cocoa, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
- Serve on a festive platter, garnished with fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
- These cookies make great gifts! Package them in a decorative tin or cellophane bag tied with a ribbon.
- Consider adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a delicious cookie sandwich treat!
FAQs about Santa’s Cookies Recipe
Can I freeze Santa’s Cookies?
Absolutely! These cookies freeze beautifully. Just bake them, let them cool completely, and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the oven for a few minutes.
What can I use instead of M&M’s?
If M&M’s aren’t your thing, feel free to get creative! You can use any type of chocolate candy, dried fruit, or even crushed peppermint candies for a festive twist. The sky’s the limit!
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers remain slightly soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Definitely! You can make the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake, just scoop and bake as instructed!
Are Santa’s Cookies suitable for kids?
Final Thoughts on Santa’s Cookies Recipe
Baking Santa’s Cookies isn’t just about creating delightful treats; it’s about crafting memories that linger long after the last crumb is gone. There’s something magical about gathering the family, rolling up our sleeves, and mixing flour with laughter. As these cookies bake and the aroma fills the air, it transforms our home into a warm haven of holiday cheer. Sharing them with loved ones, or leaving a plate out for Santa, adds a sprinkle of joy to the season. This recipe is more than just cookies; it’s a sweet tradition that brings us all closer together during the holidays.
Print
Santa’s Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful recipe for Santa’s Cookies, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup Holiday (red/green) M&M’s candy
- ¼ cup holiday (red/green) jimmies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugars for about 2 minutes, until fully blended.
- Add in eggs and vanilla and beat until well mixed.
- Add in flour, salt, and baking soda. Beat JUST until fully combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, M&M’s, and sprinkles.
- Using a 2 Tablespoon cookie scoop, drop onto parchment paper lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 11-13 minutes, until outside of cookie is lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool several minutes on baking sheet. Remove and cool completely on wire rack.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened for better mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the cookies chewy.
- Customize with your preferred mix-ins or sprinkles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
