A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe
If you’re craving a treat that instantly transports you to warm, glowing holiday moments, these soft Christmas cookies are simply irresistible. A Festive Delight for Every Celebration, they’re pillowy, spiced, and adorned with colorful icing and sprinkles—just the way holiday memories are made. Each bite melts on your tongue, whispering notes of nostalgia, joy, and the magical spirit of togetherness. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones or sharing a plate with neighbors, these cookies bring a spark of happiness and a dash of color to any celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Baking these cookies is delightfully easy, thanks to a handful of everyday ingredients that work together to create that perfect soft, tender crumb. From aromatic spices to creamy butter and tangy sour cream, every element ensures your cookies are brimming with flavor, texture, and festive charm. Don’t forget the decorations—that final sprinkle makes each one a showstopper!
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): This forms the foundation for the soft structure of these cookies.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Lifts the dough for a fluffy, cake-like bite.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works with the sour cream for essential leavening.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Brings out the cozy, warm undertones in every spice and adds balance.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): The classic spice for holiday warmth—don’t skip it!
- Ground nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Adds subtle depth and a pleasant nutty note to the flavor profile.
- Ground cloves (1/4 teaspoon): Gives the cookies that extra touch of festive, aromatic complexity.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1/2 cup): Ensures richness and that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Shortening (1/2 cup): Prevents spreading and keeps the cookies luxuriously tender.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps with the classic cookie crumb.
- Light brown sugar, packed (1/2 cup): Gives a subtle molasses flavor and a touch of chewiness.
- Eggs, large (2): Structure and richness—plus they give the cookies their light, fluffy texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the spices and ties the flavors together.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup): The secret to a soft, tender cookie that stays moist for days.
- Holiday sprinkles or colored sugar (1/2 cup): For decorating and adding that unmistakable festive flair.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Stars in the icing for a sweet, elegant finish on every cookie.
- Milk (2 to 3 tablespoons): Helps make the icing smooth and spreadable.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds comfort and warmth to the homemade icing.
- Food coloring (optional): Have fun with red, green, or even blue for your icing if you want a rainbow of cheerful cookies!
How to Make A Festive Delight for Every Celebration
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple preparation means your cookies will bake evenly and lift off easily, giving you picture-perfect edges every time.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves together. Whisking evenly distributes the baking powder and spices, ensuring every bite tastes like A Festive Delight for Every Celebration. The aroma itself will have you dreaming of twinkling lights and holiday tunes!
Step 3: Cream the Butter, Shortening, and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is key to creating the cookies’ signature texture—a creamy, smooth base that makes every batch so tender and irresistible.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla extract. Each egg adds richness, while the vanilla infuses cozy, sweet notes that play perfectly with the holiday spices. It’s one of those moments where the kitchen smells like pure happiness!
Step 5: Incorporate the Sour Cream
Gently stir in the sour cream until smooth. The tangy cream is the not-so-secret ingredient that keeps these cookies soft and fresh, delivering A Festive Delight for Every Celebration with every batch—no dry cookies here!
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix—stopping when the last bits of flour disappear ensures your cookies stay pillowy instead of tough. This dough comes together quickly, with intoxicating scents that will have you sneaking dough tastes!
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the cookies look set but still feel soft and tender in the center. Remove and let them cool completely on a wire rack—patience is key for the upcoming icing step!
Step 8: Make the Icing
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add a little milk at a time to reach your desired consistency. For even more A Festive Delight for Every Celebration, divide the icing into bowls and tint each with food coloring for a rainbow of holiday hues.
Step 9: Decorate and Enjoy!
Spread the icing onto cooled cookies, then shower them with holiday sprinkles or colored sugar. Watch as each cookie transforms into a unique little masterpiece—this is the part everyone wants to help with! Let the icing set before storing or serving.
How to Serve A Festive Delight for Every Celebration
Garnishes
For maximum cheer, go heavy on the festive sprinkles, colored sugar, and even edible gold stars or pearls! A little extra sprinkle creates that magical first impression, so don’t be shy. You can also dust cookies lightly with a bit of powdered sugar for a gentle snowy touch—A Festive Delight for Every Celebration is meant to dazzle on the plate!
Side Dishes
Pair these soft Christmas cookies with hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a creamy eggnog to set the mood. For dessert spreads, surround them with peppermint bark, candied nuts, or chocolate-dipped pretzels. No matter your holiday menu, these cookies are always the highlight of the cookie platter.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons as edible gifts, or arrange them on a glittering platter with sprigs of holly and cinnamon sticks for a table centerpiece. For parties, set up a decorating station so guests can create their own versions of A Festive Delight for Every Celebration—kids and adults alike will love it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once decorated and completely dried, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Lay waxed or parchment paper between layers to protect the icing. These beauties stay soft for several days, so you can enjoy A Festive Delight for Every Celebration all week long!
Freezing
The undecorated cookies freeze wonderfully—just cool them completely, then layer with parchment in a container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and ice before your event. You can also freeze decorated cookies, though the icing may appear slightly different when thawed.
Reheating
No need to reheat these cookies, as they’re meant to be enjoyed soft at room temperature. If you like a just-baked feeling, pop undecorated cookies in a 300°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes. Iced cookies should be left to sit out for five to ten minutes if coming straight from the fridge or freezer.
FAQs
How do I keep my cookies extra soft?
The combination of sour cream, proper mixing, and not overbaking is crucial. Store cookies in an airtight container, and add a slice of bread inside—it’ll help retain moisture, making sure your A Festive Delight for Every Celebration remains pillowy soft.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the dough, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to two days. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes so it’s easy to scoop. Freshly baked cookies are always A Festive Delight for Every Celebration!
Can I use different holiday colors?
Yes, feel free to get creative with your icing. Use liquid or gel food colors to make every batch suit your party’s palette—whether you like classic red and green or want to branch out with gold and blue, each version turns out to be A Festive Delight for Every Celebration.
Can I substitute the shortening?
While a blend of butter and shortening gives the softest texture, you can use all butter if you prefer a richer flavor. Your cookies may spread a tiny bit more, but they’ll still be a soft and sweet addition to your cookie tray.
How do I ship these cookies as gifts?
Once the icing is fully set, layer cookies with parchment in a sturdy container, then cushion with tissue paper. Ship via the quickest route to keep them fresh—and whoever receives your delicious gift will be treated to A Festive Delight for Every Celebration, no matter how far!
Final Thoughts
Every batch of these soft Christmas cookies feels like a celebration, turning simple moments into cherished traditions. Don’t wait for December; bring A Festive Delight for Every Celebration to birthdays, gatherings, or any day you want to sprinkle extra joy. They’re more than a holiday treat—they’re a memory in the making!
Print
A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Christmas Cookies are a delightful treat, perfect for any holiday celebration. With a hint of warm spices and a soft, tender texture, these cookies are sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
For Decorating:
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles or colored sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Cream the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
- Combine the batter: Stir in sour cream until smooth. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Bake the cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until set but still soft.
- Decorate the cookies: Cool the cookies on a wire rack. For icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add food coloring if desired. Spread icing on cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
- For extra festive flair, divide icing into small bowls and tint with different holiday colors.
- These cookies stay soft for several days when stored in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
