Christmas Butter Cookies

Introduction

When it comes to holiday baking, Christmas Butter Cookies have always been a tradition in our family. These simple, yet delicious cookies are easy to make, and their light, buttery texture makes them an irresistible treat. The best part about these cookies is how customizable they are—you can dip them in melted chocolate, sprinkle them with festive toppings, or enjoy them plain. During the holiday season, my family gathers around the kitchen, and there’s something magical about the sweet aroma that fills the house while these cookies bake. They’re the perfect addition to any holiday dessert spread and make for an excellent gift when wrapped in festive packaging. Whether it’s for a holiday gathering, a cozy night in, or a baking session with the kids, these Christmas Butter Cookies are always a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 egg yolks
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp milk (optional)
• Optional: melted chocolate & sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

1. Mix flour and salt; set aside: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. This step ensures that the salt is evenly distributed throughout the flour, which will give the cookies a uniform taste.
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This can take about 3-5 minutes. Using an electric mixer or a stand mixer makes this step much easier and ensures a smoother texture.
3. Add egg yolks and vanilla; mix well: Once the butter and sugar are creamed together, add the egg yolks and vanilla extract. Beat the mixture well until everything is fully incorporated.
4. Stir in flour mixture until just combined: Gradually add the flour and salt mixture into the butter mixture. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as that can make the cookies dense.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C): While preparing the dough, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly as soon as they’re placed in the oven.
6. Pipe 1½-inch swirls on a parchment-lined pan: Using a piping bag or a cookie press, pipe 1½-inch swirls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can roll the dough into small balls and gently press them with your fingers to form a swirl shape.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking, as they can become too firm if left in the oven for too long.
8. Cool, dip in melted chocolate, and sprinkle!: Once the cookies are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. After they’ve cooled, you can dip the edges of the cookies in melted chocolate and sprinkle with colorful sprinkles for a festive touch.

Nutrition Facts (Servings and Calories per Serving)

• Servings: 24 cookies (approximate)
• Calories per Serving: 100 kcal (approximate)

Nutrition Breakdown per Serving:

• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 35mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 20mg

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: 25-30 minutes

How to Serve

• With Milk or Hot Cocoa: Serve these buttery cookies with a glass of milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa for a perfect holiday treat.
• On a Cookie Tray: Place the cookies on a festive cookie tray alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, and peppermint bark.
• Gift them!: Wrap a batch of these cookies in cellophane or a tin box to give as a delightful homemade gift for friends and family during the holiday season.
• For a Cookie Decorating Party: If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, allow guests to decorate their own cookies with melted chocolate and sprinkles for a fun, interactive experience.

Additional Tips

1. Don’t Overmix the Dough: When adding the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can result in tough cookies instead of the light, buttery texture you want.
2. Chill the Dough: If you find the dough to be too soft to pipe or shape, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before piping or rolling. This will make it easier to work with.
3. Use Room Temperature Butter: Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature. Cold butter can make it difficult to cream with the sugar, and too-soft butter can lead to overly flat cookies.
4. Experiment with Flavors: You can try adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or almond extract to the dough for a different flavor profile.
5. Decorating Tip: If you’re using sprinkles for decoration, add them to the cookies right after dipping in the melted chocolate, before it hardens, so that they stick better.

Recipe Variations

• Chocolate Butter Cookies: Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the flour mixture for a chocolate version of these buttery cookies. You can still dip them in melted white chocolate for a festive contrast.
• Lemon Butter Cookies: Replace the vanilla extract with lemon zest and a teaspoon of lemon juice to make a refreshing, citrusy variation of these cookies.
• Nutty Butter Cookies: Add finely chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts to the dough for added texture and flavor. This variation pairs wonderfully with melted dark chocolate.

Serving Suggestions

• Holiday Gatherings: These Christmas Butter Cookies are perfect for holiday parties. Serve them as part of a dessert buffet alongside cakes, pies, and other cookies.
• Christmas Eve or Christmas Day: Make these cookies a part of your holiday tradition by baking them for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day celebrations.
• Cookie Exchange: These cookies make for an excellent addition to a holiday cookie exchange. They’re easy to make in large batches and can be customized with different toppings.

Freezing and Storage

• Freezing: You can freeze the dough for later use. Shape the dough into balls or swirls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze for 1 hour. Afterward, transfer the frozen dough to a freezer bag and store it for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
• Storing Leftovers: Once baked, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag.

FAQ Section

1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
   • Yes, but if you use salted butter, you may want to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe by half to avoid overly salty cookies.
2. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
   • While margarine can be used in place of butter, it may affect the flavor and texture slightly. Butter gives the cookies a richer taste and more tender texture.
3. How can I make the dough easier to pipe?
   • If the dough is too soft, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This will help the dough firm up and make it easier to pipe.
4. Can I use a cookie press instead of piping?
   • Yes, a cookie press is a great tool to use for making these cookies in fun shapes and patterns. Just make sure to adjust the dough consistency accordingly.
5. How can I make these cookies more festive?
   • You can add festive sprinkles, colored sugar, or even edible glitter to make the cookies more vibrant and holiday-themed.
6. Can I double the recipe?
   • Yes, you can easily double the recipe to make a larger batch for parties, gifts, or family gatherings.
7. What’s the best way to store these cookies?
   • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze them.
8. Can I freeze the dough for later?
   • Yes, you can freeze the dough. Shape it into swirls or balls, freeze them, and bake from frozen when ready to enjoy fresh cookies.
9. Can I add a glaze instead of dipping them in chocolate?
   • Yes, you can make a simple glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, and drizzle it over the cookies instead of dipping them in chocolate.
10. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

• Yes, you can substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but make sure to check for any additional binding agents or adjustments needed in the recipe.

Conclusion

These Christmas Butter Cookies are an absolute must-try for the holiday

season. Their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture, paired with festive chocolate and sprinkles, makes them the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, gifting homemade treats, or hosting a cookie exchange, these cookies will be a hit every time. With easy-to-follow instructions and plenty of opportunities to customize, this recipe will quickly become a holiday favorite in your household. Try them out, and let the sweet aroma fill your home with holiday cheer!

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