Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by gathering all your ingredients and ensuring the butter is at room temperature so it blends perfectly with the sugar. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this step is key for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract, blending until just combined to keep the batter smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt to ensure even distribution of spices throughout the dough.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms—don’t overmix, or your cookies could become tough.
- Shape and Bake: Roll the dough into balls or use festive cookie cutters to create shapes, placing them evenly on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Once cooled, decorate with icing, sprinkles, or leave plain to enjoy their classic simplicity.
Notes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature to help the dough come together smoothly.
- Don’t Overbake: Remove cookies when edges just start turning golden for the perfect soft center.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes if shapes need to be held during baking.
- Use Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
- Test Batch: Bake one or two cookies first to check oven temperature and baking time before the full batch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 to 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitution option)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday baking, festive cookies, easy cookies, spiced cookies, holiday treats, vanilla cookies