Holiday Party Cookies
Festive holiday cookies featuring chocolate candies and a buttery, sweet flavor. Perfect for celebrations, sharing with loved ones, or adding a cheerful touch to any party.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Blend shortening and sugars in a large bowl.
- Beat in vanilla and eggs.
- Sift dry ingredients together.
- Add dry ingredients to the mixture, blending well.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of candies.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Decorate the top with remaining candies.
- Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Some cracking should occur during baking.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider using half unsalted butter and half shortening. If you're out of chocolate candies, M&M's or chopped nuts can work well as substitutes. Make sure to blend the sugars and shortening until fluffy for the best results. Also, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes can enhance the flavors and help with shaping.
Serving Suggestions
These Holiday Party Cookies are perfect for festive gatherings and pair beautifully with a glass of milk or hot cocoa. For an added touch, serve them alongside Light As A Cloud(Custard Pie) for a delightful dessert spread. Consider adding a festive platter with assorted cookies for variety during the holiday season.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you'd like to keep them longer, freeze individually wrapped cookies for up to three months. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes to restore their freshness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday Party Cookies contains roughly 37 calories, with 0g protein, 4g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 834mg per serving (36% 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 make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
What can I use instead of shortening?
If you prefer not to use shortening, you can substitute it with unsalted butter, which will add a richness to the cookies. Use the same amount, but keep in mind that the texture may be slightly different—cookies made with butter tend to spread more.
How can I make these cookies more festive?
To enhance the festive feel, consider adding holiday-themed sprinkles or colored chocolate candies on top. You could also incorporate different flavors, such as peppermint extract or orange zest, to give a seasonal twist to the cookies.
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).