Santa Claus Cookies
Festive Santa Claus Cookies with warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors, topped with colorful sugars, perfect for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges with family and friends.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy.
- Sift flour with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients alternately with sour cream to the creamed mixture, mixing well.
- Stir in chopped nuts.
- Knead the dough together, then shape into several loaves.
- Wrap each loaf in wax paper and chill in the refrigerator overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the chilled loaves into cookies.
- Sprinkle the slices with red or green sugar.
- Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 12 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, try substituting half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce for a lighter version. You can also use almond flour instead of regular flour for a gluten-free option. When slicing the chilled dough, use a sharp knife to prevent squishing the cookies. If dough is too soft, chill for an additional 30 minutes before slicing.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these festive cookies with a glass of cold milk or hot cocoa for a delightful treat. They pair beautifully with Judi'S Chocolate Cake during holiday gatherings. You can also plate them alongside a selection of other holiday cookies for a colorful cookie platter that guests will love.
Storage & Reheating
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. To reheat, simply warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Santa Claus Cookies contains roughly 290 calories, with 3g protein, 28g carbohydrates, and 20g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (33% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 533mg per serving (23% 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 the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and wrap it in wax paper, then refrigerate it for up to 3 days before slicing and baking. Just be sure to let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before slicing to make it easier to work with.
What if I don't have sour cream?
You can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt or buttermilk in equal amounts. Both options will provide the necessary moisture and tanginess to the dough without compromising the flavor of the cookies.
Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?
Absolutely! Adding chocolate chips is a great way to enhance these cookies. Incorporate about 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips along with the chopped nuts for a delicious combination that adds even more flavor and texture.
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).