Description
A cozy holiday cookie recipe featuring warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices, buttery crumb, and a tender center. Perfect for festive moments and easy to make with pantry staples.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (110 grams) packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Optional decorating sugar or sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with ¾ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup packed brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Alternatively, beat vigorously with a wooden spoon.
- Beat in 1 large room-temperature egg and 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula just until incorporated. The dough will be soft but not sticky.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Optionally, sprinkle with decorating sugar or festive sprinkles.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chilling the dough is essential for chewy centers and crisp edges. Use room temperature eggs and butter for best texture. Watch baking time closely to avoid overbaking. Dough can be refrigerated up to 48 hours or frozen before baking. Optional add-ins include chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4.5
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 1.5
Keywords: holiday cookies, cinnamon cookies, easy cookie recipe, Christmas cookies, festive treats, buttery cookies, cozy baking