Holiday Gift Cookies – A Sweet Treat Ready in Just 30 Minutes!
Short introduction
Holiday Gift Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for sharing during the festive season. These chewy, chocolate-chip cookies can be easily packaged in decorative boxes or jars, making them an ideal homemade gift for friends, family, or coworkers. They embody the essence of the holiday spirit; delicious, thoughtful, and fun to make!
Why you’ll love it
These cookies are not just tasty but also incredibly versatile. You can customize them with your favorite mix-ins, and they make a fantastic gift filled with love and care. The recipe is simple enough for beginner bakers, yet satisfying for seasoned chefs. Within just 30 minutes, you can have a batch of warm, gooey cookies that will make anyone’s day a little brighter. Plus, they store well, allowing you to prepare your gifts in advance!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Substitutions & key variations
Feel free to experiment with this recipe! You can substitute the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips, raisins, or dried cranberries for a fruity twist. If you want to make them gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For a dairy-free option, replace the butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute.
Step-by-step
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together until blended.
Step 3: Cream butter and sugars
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add eggs and vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
Step 5: Combine ingredients
Gradually blend in the dry ingredients, ensuring everything is mixed well. The dough should be thick.
Step 6: Add chocolate chips and nuts
Gently stir in the chocolate chips and optional nuts, mixing until evenly distributed.
Step 7: Drop dough onto cookie sheets
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving some space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
Step 9: Cool
Once baked, let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Success tips
- Temperature: Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, as this contributes to the right texture.
- Texture: Your cookies should be slightly underbaked; they will continue to cook slightly as they cool.
- Common mistakes: Avoid overmixing your dough, which can lead to tough cookies. Also, let your baking sheets cool between batches to prevent spreading.
How to serve
These Holiday Gift Cookies are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven but can be served at room temperature as well. For a festive touch, serve them on a decorative platter or wrap them in cute packaging. Pair them with a glass of milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa for a delightful treat.
Storage & reheating
Store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want them to stay fresh longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. For reheating, simple pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy a warm cookie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I make these cookies in advance?
A1: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time, refrigerate it, and bake the cookies as needed.
Q2: How can I make these cookies chewier?
A2: For chewier cookies, try adding a bit more brown sugar or reducing the amount of flour slightly.
Q3: What can I use instead of eggs?
A3: You can substitute each egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) as a binding agent.
Q4: What nuts work best in this recipe?
A4: Chopped walnuts and pecans are great choices, but you can use any nuts you prefer!
Nutrition notes / equivalents
Each cookie contains approximately 150 calories, depending on the size and exact ingredients used. If you’re mindful of sugar or butter, you can adjust the quantity accordingly.
Conclusion + CTA
Holiday Gift Cookies are everything you want from a festive treat: easy to bake, delightful to eat, and perfect for sharing. Give them a try this holiday season — they might just become your new favorite tradition! Don’t forget to share your cookie-making experience and enjoy these delicious treats with your loved ones!
Links to related recipes
Holiday Gift Cookies
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened Ensure butter is softened, not melted.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips Can substitute with white chocolate, raisins, or dried cranberries.
- ½ cup chopped nuts (optional) Walnuts or pecans work well.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for even baking.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until blended.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until well mixed; the dough should be thick.
- Gently stir in the chocolate chips and optional nuts until evenly distributed.
Baking
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.
- Let cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.