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The Best Soft Christmas Cookies are a festive and delightful addition to any holiday dessert spread. These cookies are known for their tender texture and the warm, comforting flavor of vanilla. Topped with red and green sprinkles, they’re a treat that looks as good as it tastes, perfect for holiday gatherings or gift-giving.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 3 3/4 cups of flour provide the structure for the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape while baking.
- Margarine: 1 cup of softened margarine makes the cookies rich and buttery, contributing to their soft texture.
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon of baking powder helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them a light, fluffy texture.
- Eggs: 2 large eggs add moisture and help bind the ingredients together, ensuring a soft, chewy result.
- Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract enhance the flavor, adding a warm, sweet note to the cookies.
- White sugar: 1 1/2 cups of white sugar provide the perfect amount of sweetness, creating a classic holiday treat.
- Red and green sugar sprinkles: A festive touch that makes these cookies perfect for the holiday season, adding color and a bit of crunch to each bite.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking sheets by leaving them ungreased. This ensures the cookies bake evenly without spreading too much.
- Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened margarine and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, giving the cookies a soft texture.
- Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
- Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully mixed in before adding the next. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, which adds a warm, sweet flavor to the dough.
- Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the dough, helping the cookies rise.
- Step 5: Mix the Dough
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the cookies tough instead of soft.
- Step 6: Shape the Dough
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each ball for spreading. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass to ensure an even bake.
- Step 7: Decorate with Sprinkles
- Sprinkle red and green sugar sprinkles on top of each flattened dough ball for a festive touch. The sprinkles will add a pop of color and a little crunch.
- Step 8: Bake the Cookies
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Avoid over-baking to keep the cookies tender.
- Step 9: Cool and Serve
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This helps them firm up while remaining soft in the center. Serve with a glass of milk or hot cocoa for a perfect holiday treat!
Serving and Storage Tips
- These Best Soft Christmas Cookies are best served at room temperature, which keeps them tender and allows the flavors to shine. They make a great addition to holiday cookie platters or as a sweet treat with a warm beverage.
- If you’re planning to gift these cookies, stack them in festive tins with parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. Add a holiday ribbon for a thoughtful, homemade gift.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them extra soft, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies; the bread helps maintain moisture.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Helpful Notes
- To make these cookies even more festive, try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a hint of warm holiday spice.
- If you prefer a richer flavor, you can substitute margarine with unsalted butter. Just be sure to soften it to room temperature for easy mixing.
- If you like a little extra crunch, you can sprinkle coarse sugar or crushed candy canes on top of the cookies before baking.
Tips from well-known chefs
- Chef Mary Berry suggests always using room temperature ingredients, especially eggs and margarine, for smoother mixing and better consistency in the dough.
- Chef Alton Brown recommends chilling the dough for about 15 minutes before rolling it into balls to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Chef Ina Garten emphasizes the importance of not over-mixing the dough once the flour is added, as it can make the cookies tough rather than tender.