Christmas cookies are simple vanilla flavored cookies topped with colorful sugar sprinkles. These are basic cut-out cookies that looks very festive and nice. Usually these are made during Christmas time only, but you can bake them anytime also when you feel like doing some baking at home.

You can just make these cookies during holidays or when kids are around. The taste is light and mildly sweet in this recipe, it's not not heavy at all. Vanilla flavor is soft only and not overpowering. Also the sprinkles give little crunch and color which makes it more fun to eat.

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About Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookies are basic sugar cookies made using flour, butter, sugar and vanilla extract. The dough is rolled and cut using different shaped cutters, which makes baking little more interesting. These cookies are very common during festive season as they are easy to make and also easy to decorate.

The texture of these cookies is crisp once cooled down. When they come out of the oven, they may look soft but after cooling it turns crisp. The edges turn light golden while the center stays pale, which is how sugar cookies usually should look.

The flavor is mildly sweet with clean vanilla taste. In this recipe no strong spices are added, these cookies go well with toppings like royal icing, sugar sprinkles or even melted chocolate. You can also add little citrus zest or almond essence into the dough if you want small variation.

I usually make these cookies in December when there is time to bake slowly. Rolling and cutting shapes does take time, but I enjoy doing it. I keep some cookies plain and decorate the rest, so everyone gets what they like only.

Sugar Cookies have many variations like the one I posted here with royal icing. Sugar Cookies can be made by hand shaping them or by cutting them with cookie cutter like I've done here. I made use of the christmas cookie cutter set for these cookies.I always love cutout sugar cookies, this time I tried adding sugar sprinklers on top and they looked so pretty, no wonder mittu loved it so much.

Christmas Cookies Ingredients

• Flour - I have used this as the main base for the cookies, it helps to hold shape well. I sometimes mix little wheat flour but texture may change.
• Butter - This gives richness and crisp texture to the cookies. I have used chilled butter, you can use room temperature if you are hand whisking.
• Powdered sugar - I used powdered sugar as it blends easily with butter.
• Egg - I just added one egg to bind the dough and give structure. You can try eggless version but dough handling will be bit different.
• Vanilla extract - I added for flavor and classic cookie taste. You can use any mild essence if you like.
• Baking powder - I added it for the rise and it gives a light texture. Use fresh baking powder.
• Colored sugar sprinkles - I have used this for topping, it adds crunch and festive look. You can skip it or replace with icing.

Similar Recipes

• Linzer Cookies
• Cornflakes Cookies
• Snickerdoodle Cookies
• Cornflakes Wreath
• Butterscotch Cookies

How to make Christmas Cookies Step by Step

1.Measure and add flour to a sieve, then add baking powder and salt.

2.Sieve it well for even mixing

3.Now in another mixing bowl, add butter and powdered sugar

4.Whisk it well until creamy, I used electric handmixer. Then add an egg

5.Whisk it for a minute, then addvanilla essence or any essence of your choice

6.Now add flour mixture,combine and gather to form a soft dough.

7.Now your basic cookie dough is ready. Cling wrap it and refrigerate

8.Now get ready with your cookie cutters and sugar sprinklers. I used half of this dough for sugar cookies. Then on a butter paper keep the dough and place another butter paper on it so that the dough is like a sandwich between the 2 butter papers. Roll out the dough to ¼ inch thickness.

9.Then cut using your favourite shaped cookie cutters. Collect the scraps, roll again until you finish the entire dough.If you feel sticky then slightly flour the cookie cutters before using it. Meanwhile preheat the oven at 180 deg C for 10 minutes. Line butter paper on the cookie tray and transfer the shaped cookies to the butter paper - I chilled the cookies at this stage for 10 minutes while the oven was preheating.

10.Sprinkle the colored sugar over the cookies. Once the oven is preheated, bake the cookies at the same temperature for 10-12 minutes or until the edges start turning golden brown. Cool down completely on a wire rack. The cookies may look soft, once cooled down it becomes crisp.

Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Chill the dough - I just refrigerate the dough, else it will be too sticky to handle. I never skip this step.
• Do not overbake - You should not to bake for too long, cookies will harden after cooling. Take them out when they are lightly golden.
• Spacing on tray - These cookies spread while baking, so leave enough space between them. I usually keep good gap.
• Rolling - I roll the dough between butter papers so the dough doesn't stick. don't use too much flour while rolling.
• Cutting shapes - I just dip the cookie cutter lightly in the flour, this helps get clean shapes with sticking.
• Decorating - I add the sprinkles just before baking so they stick well. For icing, wait till the cookies cool completely.

Serving and Storage

Serve these cookies as snack or with cup of tea or coffee. This also goes well with tea in the evening. Store leftover cookies in airtight container. They stay good for upto a week at room temp. If cookies have icing, keep them in single layer so they don't stick together.

FAQS

1.Can I make this without egg?

Yes you can try eggless version, but texture will be little different. You might need some milk to bind the dough.

2.Why did my cookies spread too much?

Mostly the dough was not chilled enough. Chilling is important for cut-out cookies, so don't skip it.

3.Can I make the dough ahead?

Yes, you can make it and put in fridge for a day, just keep it wrapped so it doesn't dry.

4.Can I add cocoa or chocolate?

Yes you can add little cocoa powder or choco chips. Adjust flour bit if needed.

5.Do these cookies stay crisp?

Yes once cooled and stored properly, they stay crisp for many days. Just keep away from moisture.

If you have any more questions about this Christmas Cookies Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook,  Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .

Tried this Christmas Cookies Recipe ? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

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The post Christmas Cookies | Christmas Sugar Cookies appeared first on Sharmis Passions.

Fruit and Nut Cookies are colorful little treats, soft inside and little crisp at the edges. They full of chopped nuts and dried fruits, makes every bite feel bit special. It tastes really good with tea or even cold milk. These cookies are nice anytime snack, specially during Christmas or some special occasions.

You can make this cookie when you want something that looks fancy but easy to bake at home. The mix of fruits and nuts adds both flavor and texture, so feels like every bite have little surprises. It is a cookie that fills eyes, heart and tummy all together. It's a must try recipe to munch on.

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About Fruit & Nut Cookies

Fruit and Nut Cookies are eggless buttery cookies made using dry fruits & nuts with flour, butter & sugar. The dough is soft and smooth, after baking the cookies comes out little crisp at edges and soft inside. You can either make them small or slightly bigger, both ways they tastes really good.

The dried fruits cranberries, apricots and grapes give tangy sweet taste, and pistachios and other nuts gives mild crunch. The flour and butter base gives gentle richness without making it too heavy. You can also add your favorite nuts or dried fruits depends on what you have at home.

These cookies are very versatile and can be made ahead because dough keeps well in fridge. The log method is nice because you can slice as need and bake fresh cookies every time. You can also roll small balls and bake them directly if want quick cookies.

I usually make these when friends come over because they look colorful and little fancy. They also makes nice small gifts in jars or tiny boxes, and everyone just loves them.

These fruit and nut cookies are so buttery and flavourful with the crunch in nuts and dry fruits that we loved it so much, it resembled and tasted like the karachi biscuits a lot.

Fruit and Nut Cookies Ingredients

• All purpose flour / maida - I have used this for soft cookie base, it gives smooth dough. I sometimes use wheat flour but cookies will be slightly denser.
• Butter - I used room temperature butter for smooth, creamy dough. I sometimes use homemade or store-bought, salted or unsalted with small adjustments in salt.
• Powdered sugar - I used this for sweetness and smooth mixing. I sometimes replace with brown sugar but the color will change slightly.
• Vanilla essence - I add this for flavor and smell, gives a gentle aroma. I sometimes use almond or any essence of choice.
• Dried cranberries - I have used these for tangy sweetness and little chewiness. I sometimes use any dried fruit like cherries also.
• Dry grapes / raisins - I add these for small bursts of sweetness, chopped for even mix. I skip if I want less sweet.
• Pistachios - I have used these for crunch and color, finely chopped works best. I sometimes replace with almonds or cashews.
• Apricots - I add these for slight tangy taste, finely chopped. I sometimes use dates or figs also.

Similar Recipes

• Fruit Cookies
• Basic cookie dough
• Ragi cookies
• Nutella cookies
• Shortbread cookies

How to make Fruit & Nut Cookies Step by Step

1.Measure and take butter in a mixing bowl, add powdered sugar to it.

2.Whisk it well,I used my hand whisk, you can use electric mixer too. Whisk it until creamy and fluffy.

3.Now add vanilla essence and salt. Finally add in the flour

4.Mix with a spatula to form a dough.

5.Now use your hands to roll into a ball, cling wrap it and refrigerate it.

6.I used half of the dough for this cookie. Chop the dry fruits and nuts. Now half portion of the prepared dough add the dry fruits and nuts.

7.Mix it well so that the dry fruits and nuts are evenly distributed. Now shape it into a log,place it on a butter paper.

8.Wrap it well, refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Slice the log. Preheat the oven at 180 deg C for 10 minutes.

9.Slice it  not too thick or too thin. Transfer  it to a baking tray lined with aluminium foil.Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden.

Cool down then store in airtight container.

Expert Tips

• Chilling the dough - I make sure to chill the log before slicing, it helps get neat cookie shapes. I sometimes chill in between if the dough feels soft.
• Cookie slicing - I try not slice too thick or too thin, otherwise baking time change. I usually use sharp knife for even slices.
• Baking time - I keep eye on edges, they turn golden first. I don't overbake, cookies gets crisp after cooling.
• Mixing fruits & nuts - I usually fold them gentle after making dough, ensures even distribution. I sometimes press few extra nuts on top for looks.
• Storage - I store in airtight box once cooled completely, keeps well for weeks in fridge. I sometimes separate layers with butter paper if storing long.

Serving and Storage

Serve them with tea, coffee or cold milk, they taste lovely anytime. This goes well as a small festive treat in jars or gift boxes. Store leftover cookies in airtight container once cooled. They stay fresh for weeks in fridge and can be enjoyed later as snack.

FAQS

1.Can I use other dry fruits?

Yes you can, use whatever you like or have at home, all will taste nice.

2.Why did my cookies become soft after baking?

It is normal, cookies get crisp after cooling. Don't over bake.

3.Can I make the dough ahead?

Yes you can keep it in fridge for 2-3 weeks and slice fresh when needed.

4.Can I add nuts directly with flour?

Yes you can, sometimes I do that, works fine too.

5.Do I need to slice logs evenly?

Try to, so that cookies bake evenly, otherwise some will be soft or over baked.

If you have any more questions about this Fruit & Nut Cookies Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook,  Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .

Tried this Fruit & Nut Cookies Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

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