Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Slice & Bake Cookies

Why Make This Recipe

When Christmas comes around, everyone looks for delicious treats that bring joy and happiness. Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Slice & Bake Cookies are perfect for this season. These cookies stand out because they are not only easy to make but also bursting with delightful flavors and fun textures. Imagine biting into a cookie that is soft and chewy, filled with chocolate, nuts, and candy canes. The best part? You can make the dough ahead of time, roll it into logs, and slice it up whenever you’re ready to bake. This makes them perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or just a simple family treat.

Not only are they a treat for the taste buds, but they also add great colors and festive decorations to your holiday plate. With the red and white of the peppermint candy canes and the rich brown of the chocolates, they are a treat for the eyes as well. Kids and adults alike enjoy decorating these cookies with fun sprinkles, making it a delicious and interactive activity for everyone.

How to Make Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Slice & Bake Cookies

Making Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Slice & Bake Cookies is straightforward, and anyone can do it, whether you are new to baking or an experienced cook. The key to their delightful texture is the creaming method, where you mix butter and sugar until fluffy. This adds air to the mixture, creating a soft cookie. Furthermore, the chilling step gives the cookies structure, allowing them not to spread too much while baking. Here’s how you can make these cookies at home.

Ingredients

To get started, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 cup Unsalted Butter
• 1 cup Granulated Cane Sugar
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Walnuts, chopped
• 1 cup Dried Cranberries
• 1 cup Milk or White Chocolate, chopped
• 8 ounces Dark Chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup Crushed Peppermint Candy Canes
• 1 cup Sprinkles

Directions

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious cookies:

1. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated cane sugar, and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer or a whisk. Mix until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step takes about 3-5 minutes.

2. Add Vanilla and Salt: Once the butter and sugars are well combined, add the vanilla extract and salt. Mix until everything is just combined. You don’t want to overmix at this stage.

3. Prepare the Flour Mixture: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour. Make sure there are no lumps left. This is a crucial step to ensure the flour mixes in smoothly later.

4. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture. Mix it in slowly, using a spatula or a wooden spoon, until just combined. Do not overmix; it’s okay if some flour bits are still visible.

5. Fold in the Fun Additions: Gently fold in the chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, milk or white chocolate chunks, dark chocolate chunks, and crushed peppermint candy canes. Do this carefully to maintain the airiness of the cookie dough.

6. Shape the Dough: Now it’s time to shape your cookie dough. Divide it into two equal portions. Roll each part into a log, about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap.

7. Chill the Dough: Place the wrapped logs in the refrigerator and let them chill for at least 1 hour. This chilling step is crucial as it helps the cookies to maintain their shape during baking.

8. Preheat the Oven: Before baking, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly.

9. Slice the Chilled Logs: Once the dough is firm, take it out of the fridge, and slice the logs into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Use a sharp knife for best results.

10. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the cookies from sticking to the pan.

11. Bake the Cookies: Place the sliced cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave some space in between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake them in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown.

12. Cool Down: After removing them from the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This helps them to firm up a bit. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

13. Decorate: If you like, you can decorate the cooled cookies with fun sprinkles. This adds an extra festive touch and makes them even more appealing.

How to Serve Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Slice & Bake Cookies

Serving Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Slice & Bake Cookies is part of the fun of making them! Once cooled, you can arrange the cookies on a festive plate. Here are a few serving suggestions to make them even more special:

• With a Glass of Milk: Nothing beats the classic combination of cookies and cold milk. Serve them alongside a festive glass of holiday-themed beverages.

• At Holiday Gatherings: Bring them to Christmas parties or family get-togethers. They are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

• As Gifts: Pack these cookies in a beautiful tin or box and give them as homemade gifts. They make a thoughtful gift for friends, neighbors, and teachers.

• On a Dessert Table: If you’re hosting a holiday feast, place these cookies on a dessert table with other sweets. Their vibrant colors and delightful textures will surely be a highlight.

How to Store Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Slice & Bake Cookies

To keep your cookies fresh and delicious, storing them properly is essential. Here’s how to do it:

• At Room Temperature: Place the cookies in an airtight container. They can be kept on the counter for up to 1 week. Make sure they are completely cooled before sealing them to avoid moisture buildup.

• In the Freezer: If you want to save some for later, these cookies freeze really well. Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Afterward, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature.

• Unbaked Dough: You can also freeze the unbaked logs for later. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a zip-top bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply place the logs in the refrigerator overnight to thaw and follow the baking instructions as usual.

Tips to Make Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Slice & Bake Cookies

To ensure that your cookies turn out perfectly each time, keep these tips in mind:

• Use Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is at room temperature before starting. This helps it to cream better with the sugars and creates a light cookie.

• Do Not Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.

• Chill the Dough: Never skip the chilling step. It helps control the spread of cookies and keeps their shape during baking.

• Uniform Slices: Try to slice the logs evenly. This ensures that the cookies bake at the same rate.

• Check for Doneness: Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. The goal is lightly golden edges, so watch them closely toward the end of the baking time.

• Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to get creative with mix-ins. Try using different nuts, dried fruits, or chocolates based on your taste preferences.

Variation

While the original recipe is delicious as is, there are ways to switch it up according to your taste. Here are a few fun variations:

• Spiced Cookies: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the flour mixture for a spicy kick, reminiscent of gingerbread flavor.

• Different Nuts: Instead of walnuts, try using pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.

• Other Sweet Add-Ins: Swap out the dried cranberries for raisins or dried cherries, or try using toffee bits instead of chocolate for a different texture.

• Frosted Version: If you enjoy frosting on your cookies, consider making a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk to drizzle over each cooled cookie.

FAQs

What if I don’t have unsalted butter?

You can use salted butter in a pinch. Just omit the added salt in the recipe to keep the flavors balanced.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the cookie dough in advance and freeze it for later use. Just remember to wrap it tightly so it doesn’t get freezer burn.

How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Make sure to check the blend contains xanthan gum for the best results.

Can I add more chocolate?

Absolutely! If you’re a chocolate lover, feel free to double the amount of chocolate chips or chunks in the recipe.

What should I do if my cookies spread too much when baking?

If your cookie dough spreads too much, it might be that the dough was too warm. Make sure to chill it properly before slicing and baking. If they spread regardless, you could try adding a bit more flour next time to help the cookies hold their shape.

How long will these cookies last?

When stored properly in an airtight container, they can last up to a week at room temperature or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Baking Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Slice & Bake Cookies can become a cherished holiday tradition in your household. Not only will you enjoy the delightful experience of making these cookies, but you will also spread joy during the holiday season with delicious treats that everyone loves.

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