The holiday season is all about creating memories, and what better way to bond with your little ones than by baking Christmas cookies together? The aroma of freshly baked cookies, the joy of decorating them, and the smiles on their faces make for a festive tradition that everyone will look forward to year after year. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, these simple and fun Christmas cookie recipes are perfect for baking with kids. Grab your aprons, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get baking!
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Colored sprinkles or sugar for decoration
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir until the dough forms.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten each ball slightly with a fork or the bottom of a glass.
- Sprinkle the cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles to give them a festive look.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.
Why It’s Perfect for Kids:
This sugar cookie dough is easy to work with, and the kids will love rolling it into balls and pressing it with a fork. Plus, decorating them with colorful sprinkles is always a hit!
2. Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined. The dough will be a bit sticky.
- Divide the dough in half and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create gingerbread men or other fun holiday shapes.
- Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with icing and candy.
Why It’s Perfect for Kids:
The fun part of making gingerbread cookies is the decorating! Your kids will enjoy icing the cookies and adding little candy buttons, eyes, or even hats. Plus, the dough can be rolled out and shaped easily, making it a great hands-on activity.
3. Snowman Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients:
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 package (10 oz) mini marshmallows
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- White chocolate chips or candy melts (for coating)
- Mini candy eyes
- Orange candy for the nose (like an orange jelly bean or candy-coated chocolate)
Instructions:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until they’re fully melted and smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, then add the Rice Krispies cereal and mix until everything is coated.
- Press the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, then let it cool completely.
- Once cooled, cut out small circles from the Rice Krispies treat mixture to form the snowman body (two circles—one larger for the bottom, one smaller for the top).
- Melt the white chocolate chips or candy melts according to the package directions. Dip the Rice Krispies treats in the melted chocolate to coat them, then place them on a tray to dry.
- Once the coating has set, decorate the snowmen with mini candy eyes, an orange candy nose, and additional decorations for a scarf, buttons, and arms.
Why It’s Perfect for Kids:
Making snowman Rice Krispies treats is a great hands-on activity for younger children. They’ll love forming the snowman shapes, dipping them in chocolate, and adding all the fun decorations. Plus, it’s no-bake, which makes it a quick and easy recipe.
4. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract, and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until well incorporated.
- Scoop out spoonfuls of dough and roll them into balls. Roll the balls in powdered sugar until they are fully coated.
- Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies have cracked on top. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Why It’s Perfect for Kids:
These cookies are fun to roll in powdered sugar, and the peppermint flavor adds a festive touch. Your kids will love the crinkly texture and the delicious chocolatey flavor. Plus, they make a great gift idea for family and friends!
5. Holiday Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Jam or jelly (strawberry, raspberry, or apricot work best)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create an indentation in the center of each cookie.
- Fill each indentation with a teaspoon of jam or jelly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Why It’s Perfect for Kids:
Making thumbprint cookies is fun because the kids get to make their own “prints” in the dough! They can also choose their favorite jam to fill the cookies with, making each one unique and delicious.
Conclusion
Baking Christmas cookies with your kids is a great way to spread holiday cheer and make lasting memories. From classic sugar cookies to fun and festive thumbprints, these easy recipes are perfect for little hands. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, gifting cookies to friends and family, or simply enjoying a sweet treat together, these cookies are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Happy baking, and Merry Christmas! 🍪🎄
