Grandma’s Best Christmas Cookie Recipes: Sweeten Your Holiday

The holiday season is a time for family, love, and traditions—and nothing says Christmas quite like the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your home. Whether you're a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, Grandma’s cookie recipes are timeless treasures that bring warmth and joy to any festive celebration. From the classic gingerbread men to buttery sugar cookies and decadent chocolate crinkles, these recipes will help you create holiday magic that tastes as good as it feels.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Process

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in molasses, egg, and vanilla.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until combined.
4. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Roll out dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut out shapes using gingerbread cookie cutters.
7. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
8. Let cool completely before decorating with icing or candies.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract (optional)

Cooking Process

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
4. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
5. Scoop rounded teaspoons of dough and place them on the baking sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Cooking Process

1. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, mix sugars with melted butter, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
4. Chill dough in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Scoop small balls of dough and roll in powdered sugar.
7. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
8. Cool on racks before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup raisins

Cooking Process

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Cream butter and sugars in a separate bowl until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients and fold in the raisins.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
6. Cool before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 30 chocolate kisses

Cooking Process

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars in a separate bowl. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
5. Roll dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 8 minutes, then quickly press a chocolate kiss into each cookie.
7. Allow to cool completely.

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room-temperature butter and eggs for a smoother dough.
• Chilling the Dough: Chilling helps maintain the shape of cookies during baking.
• Creative Decorating: Use colored icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter to make your cookies extra festive.

Pair these delightful cookies with a warm cup of cocoa, eggnog, or coffee. Place them on a festive platter or wrap them in decorative tins for gifting.