Christmas Card Cookies
Celebrate the holiday season with these charming Christmas Card Cookies, perfect for gifting or sharing. Their spiced, buttery flavor and festive shapes make them a delightful treat for family gatherings and cookie exchanges, adding a cheerful, homemade touch to your festivities.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and beat well.
- Stir in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and baking soda; mix until well combined.
- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cool for 1 to 2 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier flavor, consider adding a pinch of ginger or allspice to the dough. If you don't have brown sugar, you can substitute with granulated sugar mixed with a bit of molasses. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar. Chilling the dough is crucial for easier handling and perfect cookie shapes.
Serving Suggestions
These Christmas Card Cookies are delightful on their own or paired with a cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea. For a festive touch, you can decorate them with royal icing or edible glitter. They also make great gifts when packaged in decorative tins, perfect for sharing during the holiday season.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes to regain their freshness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Christmas Card Cookies contains roughly 2143 calories, with 24g protein, 265g carbohydrates, and 114g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (103% of the Daily Value), calcium (69% of the Daily Value), and iron (51% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1357mg per serving (59% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, margarine can be used as a substitute for butter in this recipe. Just make sure to use a stick variety for better consistency. The cookies may have a slightly different flavor profile but will still be delicious.
What if I don't have cookie cutters?
If you don't have cookie cutters, you can use a glass or any other round object to cut out shapes. Alternatively, you can simply shape the dough into balls and flatten them slightly for rustic cookies.
How can I make these cookies more festive?
To make these cookies more festive, consider adding colored sprinkles on top before baking or drizzling melted chocolate over them once cooled. You can also use themed cookie cutters to create holiday shapes, enhancing their appeal for Christmas celebrations.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).