3 Christmas Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
Baking is such a big part of the holiday season for me. Every year, I make a big variety of cookies (at least 10 different kinds!), but there are always a few that I have to bake because they’ve been family favorites for years. Today, I’m sharing three of those special recipes: Lemon Coconut Glazed Cookies, Spritz Cookies, and Rugelach. They’re all different, but each one brings that perfect mix of holiday flavor and tradition.
1. Lemon Coconut Glazed Cookies
These Lemon Coconut Glazed Cookies are light, buttery, and the lemon glaze gives them just the right amount of zing. If you’re a fan of lemony desserts like I am, these will definitely hit the spot.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1½ tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1½ tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Prep the coconut: You can chop the coconut up to make it finer (totally optional, but it gives the cookies a smoother texture).
- Make the dough: Beat the butter until smooth, then mix in the powdered sugar, vanilla, coconut extract, and lemon zest. Add the lemon juice, salt, chopped coconut, and flour. Keep mixing until it forms a thick dough.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Roll the dough into little balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and bake for 14-15 minutes until the edges are just lightly browned.
- Glaze: Whisk together the glaze ingredients and drizzle it over the cooled cookies. Add extra coconut or some sprinkles if you want to make them festive!
2. Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies are a classic for me during Christmas. They’re buttery and simple, but the fun part is pressing them into cute shapes. Sometimes I switch out the almond extract for a citrus flavor (lemon or orange), and that’s always a hit!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¼ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (or citrus if you’re feeling adventurous)
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F.
- Mix the dough: Beat the butter, powdered sugar, and salt until it’s fluffy. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond (or citrus) extract, then slowly add the flour until everything’s combined.
- Press the cookies: Using a cookie press, press the dough onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. I like to make trees, stars, or even wreaths. If you want, you can add some food coloring or top them with cherries.
- Bake: Bake for 6-8 minutes—don’t let them brown. Let them cool on the sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a rack.
3. Rugelach
Rugelach is one of those treats that look fancy but are actually pretty simple to make. They’re like little pastry cookies filled with cinnamon, nuts, and sometimes fruit. I usually make them with raspberry jam and a nutty cinnamon filling.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup jam (raspberry or apricot work great)
Instructions
- Make the dough: Beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the vanilla, sugar, flour, and salt until it forms a dough. Divide it in half, wrap it up, and chill it for about an hour.
- Make the filling: Mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, nuts, and cinnamon together.
- Roll and fill: Roll one half of the dough into a circle (about 10 inches wide). Spread a thin layer of jam over the dough and sprinkle the filling on top. Cut the dough into 12 wedges (like a pizza) and roll them up, starting from the wide end.
- Chill and bake: Chill the cookies for 45 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake them for 28-30 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.
Wrapping it up
These cookies are always a hit at my holiday gatherings. They each have something a little different to offer—whether it’s the bright lemon flavor, the buttery spritz shapes, or the rich, nutty rugelach. I hope they bring some sweetness to your holiday season!
Happy baking!
