The Ultimate Christmas Cookie Box Recipe

Baking this delightful symphony of textures and flavors is my absolute favorite part of the holiday season—something magical happens when warm melted chocolate mingles with nutty walnuts and tangy cranberries, all wrapped up in the cozy hug of cinnamon and nutmeg. Grab an apron and let’s create some festive kitchen magic!

My Ultimate Christmas Cookie Box has at its core a perfect combination of buttery richness and festive flavors. Creamy unsalted butter and a mixture of granulated and light brown sugars provide the all-important sweetness.

Semi-sweet and white chocolate chips supply the quintessential Christmas cookie flavor. And then—integrating all the joy that the season has to offer—we have the spices, nuts, and fruits that really say “Merry Christmas!”

Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture, key for tender cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve a crispy texture.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds a rich chocolate flavor, balances sweetness.
• Chopped Walnuts: Provides crunch and healthy fats, adding texture and nutrients.
• Dried Cranberries: Sweet-tart flavor, adds chewiness and a dose of antioxidants.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice, enhancing holiday flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

How to Make this

1. Set the oven to bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare the baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.

2. In a mixing bowl, large enough to accommodate the task, combine the butter (which must be softened as a prerequisite), the sugar (granulated), and the sugar (light brown), in sufficient quantity to yield a creamy and fluffy consistency after mixing.

3. Incorporate the eggs one by one, beating them in well and thoroughly after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.

4. In another bowl, mix together the basic ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.

5. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Mix until combined.

6. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, and dried cranberries gently and evenly. These should be well distributed, and if they aren’t, you’re likely to create imbalance and disharmony in your cookies.

7. Employing a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop the dough onto the baking sheets that have been prepared. Space the dough mounds about 2 inches apart.

8. Put in the oven that has been heated ahead of time for 10-12 minutes; the edges turn golden brown and the centers achieve a state of set. This is a cookie’s final destination.

9. Take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then, move the cookies to a wire rack, where they will complete the cooling process.

10. Once completely cool, lay out your cookies in a festive box for a delightful Christmas treat that’s ready for gifting or for sharing with loved ones.

Does this alternative meet your approval?

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking sheets
3. Parchment paper
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Medium mixing bowl
6. Electric mixer or hand whisk
7. Measuring cups
8. Measuring spoons
9. Cookie scoop or tablespoon
10. Wire rack

FAQ

• Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?A: Yes, reduce the salt in the recipe by half. But don’t worry, it is still plenty tasty.
• Q: Are there any substitutes for walnuts?Q: Can I use something other than walnuts in these recipes?
  A: Yes, you can substitute pecans or omit nuts for nut-free cookies.
• Q: How should I store these cookies?A: Keep in a sealed container at room temperature for as long as a week. For extended storage, place in the freezer.
• Q: Can I add other spices?Sure! Try throwing in a little ground ginger or clove for some extra holiday taste.
• Q: Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?A: Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s 1:1.
• Q: How do I make the cookies dough firmer?A: Firming up the dough before baking takes 30 minutes or longer. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. That will do it.

The Ultimate Christmas Cookie Box Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Substitute unsalted butter with coconut oil, using the same amount. It will lend a faint coconut flavor to your cookies.

Replace light brown sugar with an equal amount of dark brown sugar to get an even more flavorful dish with a rich, molasses flavor.
Substituting eggs in baking recipes is simple. For each egg you want to replace, take 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal and mix it with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes (5 is good), and then mix it into your batter as you would the egg. Flaxseed meal has a nutty taste, which will not be noticeable in most baked goods. If you soak the meal for a little bit longer, it thickens more and can serve as a binder like a protein would.
Substitute an equivalent weight of your favorite chopped chocolate bar for the semi-sweet or white chocolate chips called for in this recipe. This will give the cookies a very different flavor and change the texture.
Rather than walnuts, use chopped pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that the butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting. This helps them incorporate more smoothly into the dough, resulting in a better-textured cookie.