Best Soft Christmas Cookies

Name: Best Soft Christmas Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 2 h 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 ½ cups white sugar; 1 cup margarine, softened; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Isabella

🌟Life, Love, and Gastronomy 🍷

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Celebrate the joy of the holiday season with these Best Soft Christmas Cookies! Featuring a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a delightful vanilla flavor, these cookies are perfect for decorating with icing or sprinkles. Whether you’re making them for holiday gatherings, gifting to loved ones, or enjoying with your family, these cookies are sure to bring festive cheer.

Ingredients:

3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups white sugar

1 cup margarine, softened

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Prep Your Ingredients:
Gather all your ingredients and ensure your margarine is softened for easy mixing.

Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, sift together 3 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Set aside.

Cream the Sugar and Margarine:
In a large bowl, beat 1 ½ cups of white sugar and 1 cup of softened margarine with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time. Then, mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined.

Incorporate the Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

Chill the Dough:
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. Chilling the dough helps to firm it up, making it easier to roll and cut.

Preheat the Oven:
Once the dough is chilled, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease two cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper.

Roll and Cut the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to create holiday shapes like trees, stars, and snowflakes.

Bake the Cookies:
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 6-8 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they’re ready when the edges are lightly golden.

Cool and Decorate:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, decorate with your favorite icing, sprinkles, or edible decorations.

Serving Tips:

Pair with Festive Drinks: Serve these cookies alongside hot chocolate, eggnog, or spiced cider to enhance the holiday vibe.

Create a Cookie Platter: Display these cookies on a decorative platter with other holiday treats, such as gingerbread men, peppermint bark, or chocolate truffles.

Holiday Gift Idea: Wrap a few cookies in cellophane bags or place them in decorative holiday tins to give as gifts to friends, neighbors, or coworkers.

Perfect for Cookie Decorating Parties: Set up a cookie decorating station with various icings, sprinkles, and candies for a fun, interactive party activity.

Storage Tips:

Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread in the container—the moisture from the bread will prevent the cookies from drying out.

Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave.

Freezing Dough: You can also freeze the dough for future baking. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, let the dough thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling and cutting into shapes.

Prevent Sticking: If you’ve decorated the cookies with icing, allow the icing to fully set before stacking them in storage containers to avoid smudging or sticking.

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FAQs:

Can I use butter instead of margarine in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute butter for margarine in this recipe. Butter will add a richer flavor and slightly alter the texture, making the cookies even more buttery. Just ensure the butter is softened before mixing for the best results.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading while baking?

Chilling the dough for at least 2 hours is key to preventing the cookies from spreading too much. Also, make sure your cookie sheets are not too warm when placing the dough on them, as that can cause the cookies to spread.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the dough ahead and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. You can also bake the cookies in advance and freeze them. When ready to serve, simply thaw the cookies or reheat them gently.

How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. This will help maintain the soft texture while accommodating dietary needs.

Conclusion:

These Best Soft Christmas Cookies are the perfect treat for holiday baking, offering a tender, buttery texture and sweet vanilla flavor. Ideal for decorating, they make great gifts or festive party desserts. Enjoy them fresh or freeze for later to keep the holiday spirit alive!

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