Description
These Delightfully Spiced Festive Christmas Cookies feature a warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves combined with molasses, nuts, and dried fruit for a perfect holiday treat. Soft in the center with lightly golden edges, these cookies are easy to make and great for sharing during the festive season.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup molasses
Add-ins (Optional)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup raisins or currants
For Dusting (Optional)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt until thoroughly blended. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat the mixture for about 3 to 4 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg until well incorporated, then mix in vanilla extract and molasses, ensuring the mixture is uniform and well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed. Stir just until the dry ingredients are combined, taking care to avoid overmixing which can result in tough cookies.
- Fold in Optional Add-ins: If using, fold in the chopped nuts and raisins or currants gently with a spatula to distribute them evenly throughout the dough without breaking them up.
- Shape Cookies: Use a tablespoon to scoop out the dough and roll it into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Flatten Cookies: Slightly flatten each cookie ball with the back of a fork or your fingers to ensure even thickness and baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden color. The centers may look soft but will firm up as they cool.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to prevent sogginess and preserve texture.
- Optional Dusting: Once fully cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a festive, elegant finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute walnuts or pecans based on preference or availability.
- Raisins or currants add a chewy sweetness but can be omitted for a nut-only cookie.
- For a different flavor profile, consider adding orange zest or using different spices like allspice.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or frozen for longer storage.
- Ensure cookies cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar to avoid melting.
