This year, the lives of many people have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and Christmas celebration is set to be low key in most parts of the world. But while you stay home, you can delight yourself and loved ones with Christmas cookies. Time to indulge in flavourful cookies with your favourite steaming hot cup of coffee.
Cookies are pretty much the best part of Christmas. Whether you’re making them for the family party or a cosy night by the fireplace, there’s always a reason to grab the delightful cookies during the Christmas holidays. Christmas cookies are traditionally sugar cookies cut into various shapes and sizes related to Christmas items such as stars, trees, socks and happy faces.
The history of modern Christmas cookies can be traced to the recipes from Medieval Europe biscuits. The recipes included modern ingredients such as almonds, ginger, cinnamon, dried fruits and black pepper. With the introduction of variety of flavours, by the 16th century, Christmas biscuits became popular in the West. But it was in the 17th century that Christmas biscuits took the form of Christmas cookies in the United States, brought in by the Dutch.
With the launch of imported cookie cutters from Germany in American markets around 1871, Christmas cookies came to be sold in varied designs to be hung on Christmas trees. The cookies are often cut into the shape of candy canes, holly leaves, angels, stars and trees. In Canada and the United States, children used to leave cookies and milk on a table for Santa Claus on Christmas eve.
If you are yet to have Christmas cookies ready on the table, you can try out these cookie recipes from Delish that are simply irresistible.
Peanut Butter blossoms
A peanut butter cookie is a butter-based cookie that originated in the United States.
Ingredients
1 ¾ c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. kosher salt
½ c. butter, softened
½ c. smooth peanut butter
½ c. packed brown sugar
¼ c. granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
1 egg
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Hershey kisses
How to make Peanut Butter Blossom cookies
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt until combined.
2. In a larger bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter and peanut butter until smooth, add sugars and beat until light in colour and fluffy. Beat in egg, then add milk and vanilla and mix until combined. Gradually add flour mixture, stirring on low, until just combined.
3. Roll a tablespoonful of cookie dough into a ball, then roll in sugar. Place on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough, spacing cookies at least 2” apart.
4. Bake until cookies have poofed and no longer look raw, about 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Immediately top with Hershey kisses before serving.
Jam Thumbprint cookies
Jam Thumbprint is one of the most classic and cutest dessert to end a Christmas dinner with
Ingredients
1 ¾ c. all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. kosher salt
¾ c. (1 ½ sticks) butter, softened
½ c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/3 c. assorted jams, for filling cookies
How to make Jam Thumbprint cookies
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla, then add dry ingredients in two batches until incorporated.
3. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop 1” balls onto prepared baking sheets. Press a thumbprint into the center of each ball, ½” deep. Fill with a small spoonful of jam.
4. Bake until edges of cookies are golden, 13 and 14 minutes. Cool on baking sheets before serving.
Sugar Cookie Trees
Sugar cookie trees are easy to make and delightful
Ingredients
1 tube sugar cookie dough
½ c. butter, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. heavy cream
Green food colouring
½ tsp. salt
Christmas nonpareils
Sprinkle stars
How to make Sugar Cookie Trees
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a medium cookie sheet with parchment paper. Make balls 1, 2 md 3 teaspoon large. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes, remove the smallest cookies and bake 3-4 minutes more. Remove from oven and let it cool on a cooking rack
2. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined, then add vanilla, heavy cream, food coloring until desired color is reached. Transfer to a piping bag with a medium star tip.
3. Onto the largest cookie, pipe a circle of frosting. Top with the medium cookie, pipe another circle of frosting, and top with the smallest cookie. Pipe a point on the smallest cookie. Decorate with sprinkles and top with a sprinkle.
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