Welcome to the Baker’s Dozen Ultimate Christmas Cookie Exchange! Today I’ve united with twelve incredible food bloggers to bring you a holiday cookie celebration. To see all of the participating bloggers, please visit the Baker’s Dozen home site at www.13CookieChristmas.info.
I’ve spouted off before about how I think that Christmas cookies should LOOK like Christmas cookies. [...]
There is a rather disturbing trend taking place in the world of Christmas cookies. It’s that folks are doing so-called “Christmas Cookie Baking,” that isn’t really holiday baking at all. What I mean by this is that some people bake chocolate chip cookies or snickerdoodles and such, add them to their cookie platters and call them Christmas [...]
CHOCOLATE- MINT THUMBPRINTS
www.RecipeGirl.com
COOKIES:
1 cup + 2½ Tbs unbleached all-purpose flour (5¼ oz.)
¼ cup Dutch- processed cocoa (¾ oz.)
¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (6 oz.)
½ cup powdered sugar, sifted (2 oz.)
1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
FILLING:
¾ cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate (or chocolate chips)
3 Tbs unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
¼ tsp pure peppermint [...]
CINNAMON- SUGAR STARS
www.RecipeGirl.com
COOKIES:
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
TOPPING:
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 large egg white, beaten
1. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt to blend.
2. Prepare cookie dough: [...]
WHITE CHOCOLATE- CHERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
½ cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
2½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
1 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
12 ounces white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped
½ tsp almond extract
2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional
2 tsp shortening
white nonpareils and/or red edible glitter (optional)
1. [...]
STRAWBERRY SANDWICH COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
¼ cup + 2 Tbs. butter, softened
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
¾ tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1/8 tsp salt
½ cup strawberry jam
powdered sugar
1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add brown sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, beating [...]
ROSEMARY SHORTBREAD COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
½ cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sifted powdered sugar
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbs chopped fresh rosemary
1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Gradually add flour to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Gently [...]
RED CURRANT THUMBPRINTS
www.RecipeGirl.com
1 cup butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, separated
1 tsp almond extract
2 cups flour
¼ tsp salt
1¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1¼ cups finely chopped pecans
red currant jelly
1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg yolks and almond extract, beating until [...]
PEPPERMINT SUGAR COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
2½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 large egg yolk
2 large egg whites
½ cup finely crushed hard peppermint candies or candy canes (about 3oz.)
additional powdered sugar for rolling
1. Sift together dry ingredients- flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
2. [...]
WHITE CHRISTMAS CRINKLES
www.RecipeGirl.com
4 ounces white baking bar with cocoa butter
2 cups flour
½ tsp baking soda
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
¼ cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbs shortening
chopped peppermint candies
extra sugar for rolling
1. Melt baking bar over low heat, stirring constantly. Set aside.
2. In [...]
SWIRLED MINT COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
2 cups flour
½ tsp baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp peppermint extract
10 drops red food coloring
10 drops green food coloring
1. In a bowl, stir together flour and baking powder; set aside.
2. In a separate larger bowl, beat butter with electric [...]
SNOWBALLS
www.RecipeGirl.com
FILLING:
6 oz peanut butter chips
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/4 cup peanuts, finely chopped
OUTSIDE COOKIE:
3 cups flour
1 1/4 cups butter, softened
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
powdered sugar
sprinkles, optional
1. Combine chips in double boiler and heat until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Add powdered sugar and peanuts. Mix well. Let sit at room temperature until firm enough to shape. [...]
PEPPERMINT SNOWBALLS
www.RecipeGirl.com
3 cups powdered sugar, divided
1¼ cups butter, softened
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup finely crushed peppermint candy, divided
granulated sugar
2 to 3 Tbs nonfat milk
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In large mixer bowl, combine 1½ cups powdered sugar, butter, extract, vanilla [...]
PEPPERMINT PUFFS
www.RecipeGirl.com
2 cups flour
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (1stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg
½ tsp peppermint extract
½ tsp vanilla extract
8 ounces white chocolate, melted with 1 teaspoon shortening
½ cup finely chopped candy canes
1. Stir together flour and salt in medium-size bowl.
2. Beat butter and sugar in [...]
PEPPERMINT CRESCENTS
www.RecipeGirl.com
1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 tsp peppermint extract
1/8 tsp salt
2½ cups flour
2 cups sifted powdered sugar, divided
2½ Tbs milk
¼ tsp peppermint extract
coarsely crushed hard peppermint candy
1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add 2/3 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, and salt; [...]
GINGERBREAD BISCOTTI
www.RecipeGirl.com
2¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1¼ cups packed dark brown sugar
2 tsp ground ginger
1¼ tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp baking soda
1 cup (4 ounces) pecans, coarsely chopped
½ cup (4 ounces) lightly packed dried apricots, coarsely chopped
¼ cup molasses
2 large eggs
2 tsp finely grated orange zest (from about 1 [...]
JELLY TWINKLES
www.RecipeGirl.com
1 cup butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour, sifted
red currant jelly
powdered sugar
1. Cream butter with sugar until fluffy. Stir in flour, a little at a time, blending well to make a stiff dough. Knead 10-15 minutes, or until satiny-smooth. Wrap in waxed paper and chill until dough is quite firm.
[...]
GINGERSNAPS
www.RecipeGirl.com
1¼ cups flour
½ tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
2 Tbs molasses
1 Tbs cold strong brewed coffee
½ cup granulated sugar
6 Tbs butter, softened
2 Tbs finely chopped crystallized ginger
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
additional sugar
1. In small bowl, mix flour, soda and salt. Set aside.
2. Combine molasses and coffee in another bowl. [...]
GINGERBREAD SNOWFLAKES
www.RecipeGirl.com
COOKIES:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup water
1½ tsp baking soda
1 cup molasses
5 cups all-purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
1½ Tbs ground ginger
½ tsp ground allspice
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
ROYAL ICING:
16 ounce package powdered sugar
3 Tbs meringue powder
5 to 6 Tbs warm water
1 tsp light corn syrup
DECOR:
sparkling white sugar (optional)
powdered sugar (optional)
1. [...]
GINGER COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
¾ cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
4 Tbs molasses
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups flour
additional granulated sugar
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cream shortening and sugar together in large bowl. Beat in egg and molasses. Add baking soda, spices and flour. Mix [...]
MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup shortening
1¼ cups packed brown sugar
¾ tsp baking soda
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
3½ cups flour
1 cup Christmas-colored M&M’s
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, beat butter and shortening with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add brown [...]
*The kids love these cute little holly cookies- anything gooey and green! Their flavor is reminiscent of rice krispie treats.
HOLLY COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
½ cup butter
30 large marshmallows
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 ½ tsp green food coloring
3 ½ cups corn flakes
red cinnamon candies
1. Melt butter and marshmallows, stirring constantly. Add vanilla and food coloring. Mix in corn [...]
GINGERBREAD COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
2 cups flour, plus more for rolling
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
decorating sugar or sprinkles (optional)
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, spices, baking soda and salt; [...]
*This cookie recipe has been a holiday baking favorite in the RecipeGirl family for over 40 years.
HOLIDAY NUGGETS
www.RecipeGirl.com
2 cups flour
½ tsp salt
¾ cup shortening
¼ cup butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
additional powdered sugar
1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
½ cup almonds, chopped finely
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. In [...]
*These yummy treats are a cakey kind of cookie.
EGGNOG COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
2¼ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1¼ cups granulated sugar
¾ cup butter, softened
½ cup eggnog
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large egg yolks
1. Preheat oven o 300°F.
2. In a small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients together. In [...]
*These cookies are gorgeous on a cookie platter! They look great with any cookie cutters that are symmetrical- Hearts and Christmas trees are the best. You can also use white chocolate to dip…
CHOCOLATE- PISTACHIO CUT-OUTS
www.RecipeGirl.com
1 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 large egg, beaten
2 ¼ cups flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup finely chopped [...]
*These cookies resemble the Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies in both appearance and flavor.
CHOCOLATE- MINT WAFERS
www.RecipeGirl.com
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
6 Tbs (¾ stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
¼ tsp pure peppermint extract (not spearmint!)
1/8 [...]
CHOCOLATE KISS PEANUT- BUTTER BLOSSOMS
www.RecipeGirl.com
1 ¾ cups flour
½ tsp salt
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup smooth peanut butter
2 Tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup shortening
1 large egg
48 choc. kisses, unwrapped
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except kisses. Blend [...]
CHEWY CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
1½ cups + 1 Tbs. flour
1 Tbs unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1¼ tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 Tbs grated peeled fresh ginger
½ cup packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup unsulfured molasses
1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1½ teaspoon boiling water
7 ounces [...]
CHOCOLATE- PEPPERMINT STARS
www.RecipeGirl.com
1¼ cups flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
TOPPING:
6 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
½ cup (about 3½ ounces) finely crushed red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies
1. Sift flour, cocoa, and salt into medium bowl. [...]
CHOCOLATE- ESPRESSO SNOWCAPS
www.RecipeGirl.com
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 tsp instant espresso powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
4 Tbs unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
4 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1 tsp milk
½ cup powdered sugar, for coating
1. In a medium bowl, whisk [...]
CHEWY MOLASSES- SPICE COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
2 cups flour
1½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
1½ cups granulated sugar, divided
1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
¼ cup molasses
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a shallow bowl, place ½ cup [...]
CHERRY RUGELACH
www.RecipeGirl.com
PASTRY:
1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
¼ cup granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling
FILLING:
12 ounces (about 1¾ cups) frozen sweet cherries
½ cup granulated sugar
1 Tbs cornstarch
½ cup chopped walnuts
EGG WASH:
1 large egg
2 Tbs cold milk or water
1. Prepare pastry: Beat [...]
*This recipe has been a RecipeGirl family favorite for over 40 years. We like to bake them at Christmas and press red and green maraschino cherries in the middle for decoration.
BUTTER DREAM COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
½ cup butter
½ cup shortening
½ cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract
2 ¼ cups flour
maraschino cherries
1. Cream butter, shortening, and sugar [...]
*This recipe has been a RecipeGirl family favorite for over 40 years.
BAKE & SLICE CHOCOLATE SWIRLS
www.RecipeGirl.com
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 Tbs shortening
¾ cup butter, softened
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups flour, sifted
milk
¾ cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In [...]
CHOCOLATE CRINKLES W/ MINT TRUFFLE KISSES
www.RecipeGirl.com
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups granulated white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. peppermint extract
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp. green colored sugar (optional)
bag of mint truffle flavored Hershey’s Kisses
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together [...]
RED VELVET SHORTBREAD COOKIES
www.RecipeGirl.com
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter, cut up
1 Tbsp. red food coloring
3 ounces white chocolate (with cocoa butter), coarsely chopped
1 1/2 tsp. shortening
festive sprinkles
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a food processor, combine [...]
