Christmas Cookie Box Recipes-Holiday Favorites

Get ready to spread some serious holiday cheer with the ultimate 2024 Christmas Cookie Box! This curated collection features a delightful array of festive treats, perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply indulging. Bake your way to a magical season with these beloved holiday favorites that are sure to impress everyone on your nice list.

Ingredients

• — Classic Sugar Cookies (Cutouts) —
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• For Royal Icing:
• 2 large egg whites (or 4 tbsp meringue powder + 6 tbsp warm water)
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• — Spiced Gingerbread Men —
• ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup unsulphured molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• — Chocolate Crinkle Cookies —
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
• — Pecan Snowballs (Mexican Wedding Cookies) —
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for dough)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Extra powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions

1. — Classic Sugar Cookies —
2. 1. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
3. 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
4. 3. Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).
5. 4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters.
6. 5. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
7. 6. For Royal Icing: If using egg whites, whisk until foamy, then gradually add powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Stir in vanilla. If using meringue powder, follow package directions to prepare icing. Divide and color with food coloring as desired. Decorate cooled cookies once they are completely cool.
9. — Spiced Gingerbread Men —
10. 1. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg.
11. 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until a dough forms.
12. 3. Divide dough in half, flatten, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
13. 4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Cut out gingerbread shapes.
14. 5. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with royal icing if desired.
16. — Chocolate Crinkle Cookies —
17. 1. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and granulated sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
18. 2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
19. 3. Cover and chill dough for at least 1-2 hours (or up to overnight).
20. 4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place powdered sugar in a shallow dish.
21. 5. Scoop dough into 1-inch balls, roll each ball generously in powdered sugar to coat completely.
22. 6. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies will be puffed and cracked.
23. 7. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
25. — Pecan Snowballs —
26. 1. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla extract.
27. 2. Stir in flour, chopped pecans, and salt until a dough forms.
28. 3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
29. 4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheets.
30. 5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until set and lightly golden on the bottom.
31. 6. While still warm, roll the cookies generously in additional powdered sugar. Let cool completely on a wire rack, then roll in powdered sugar again for a thicker coating.