Christmas Cookie Recipe: Sweet Treats for the Holidays

The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in delicious, homemade cookies. Whether you're sharing them with family and friends, leaving them out for Santa, or simply enjoying them with a cup of hot cocoa, these Christmas cookies will add a sweet touch to your celebrations. Follow this easy and fun recipe to create a batch of festive cookies that will delight everyone.

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 2 large eggs

• 2 cups semisweet and/or milk chocolate chips

For Decorating:

• Royal icing (store-bought or homemade)

• Food coloring (red, green, and other festive colors)

• Sprinkles, edible glitter, and other decorative toppings

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

2. Shape and Bake the Cookies

1. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.

2. Bake until cookies are golden around the edges but still soft in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, and let cool completely.

3. Decorate the Cookies

1. Prepare your royal icing according to the package instructions or your favorite recipe. Divide the icing into small bowls and tint each with different colors of food coloring.

2. Using a piping bag or a zip-lock bag with a small corner cut off, decorate the cooled cookies with icing. Add sprinkles, edible glitter, and other decorative toppings as desired.

These festive Christmas cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite. Perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, or simply enjoying with loved ones, they bring a touch of homemade magic to the season. Enjoy baking and decorating these sweet treats, and have a joyous holiday season!