Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something truly magical about baking during the holidays. The crisp air outside mingles with the warm, inviting aroma of spices wafting through your kitchen. Holiday spice cookies are a comforting delight, perfect for filling your home with joy and warmth. With their rich flavors and soft, cake-like texture, these cookies are sure to bring back fond memories of gatherings, cozy brunches, and busy days filled with laughter.
Imagine biting into a fresh-out-of-the-oven cookie, where the spices dance gently on your palate, enveloping you in nostalgia. Whether you’re baking with your little ones, sharing with neighbors, or preparing for a festive brunch, these cookies will add a sweet touch to your holiday traditions. You’ll find that they are not just cookies; they are a big hug in bite-sized form.
how to make Holiday Spice Cookies
Baking these scrumptious cookies is as easy as pie—or, should I say, as easy as cookies! Let’s roll up our sleeves and create some delightful treats together. You’ll see just how simple it is to bring a little holiday cheer into your kitchen.
Ingredients
– 1 cup butter, softened
– 1 cup sugar
– 1 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1 cup mashed persimmons
– 2 large eggs
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
These ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a lovely blend of flavors that embodies the spirit of the season.
Directions
Let’s gather our ingredients and start baking.
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Preheat the oven: First things first! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly, becoming the perfect golden-brown you desire.
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Cream the butters and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This is the key step that gives your cookies their lovely texture.
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Add persimmons and eggs: Beat in the mashed persimmons and the two large eggs until everything is well blended. You’ll start to notice those wonderful fall scents filling your kitchen.
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Mix the dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. This blend of spices is what truly adds the holiday spirit to our cookies.
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Combine mixtures: Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture. Stir gently until just blended—you don’t want to overmix; we’re aiming for soft, tender cookies here.
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Drop onto cookie sheets: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Leave some space between each one; they’ll spread a little as they bake.
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Bake: Pop those cookies into the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them! They’re ready when the edges are lightly browned.
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Cool: Let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks. This step is crucial for avoiding broken cookies.
With this step-by-step guide, you’re on your way to baking joy!
how to serve Holiday Spice Cookies
Serving your holiday spice cookies is part of the fun! Picture this: your friends and family gathering around, smiling as they reach for a warm cookie.
You can serve them as part of a festive cookie platter, surrounded by other treats like gingerbread or sugar cookies. Or, consider pairing them with a cozy hot cocoa or spiced chai. The warmth of the drink complements the spices in the cookies beautifully.
For a special touch, you might sprinkle the cookies with a bit of powdered sugar just before serving. It adds a delightful, frosty appearance, making them look even more tempting.
how to store Holiday Spice Cookies
To keep your cookies fresh and tasty, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This way, you can enjoy them for several days. If you find you have a large batch (or simply want to save some for later), you can freeze them! Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper and keep them in a freezer-safe bag.
When you’re ready for more deliciousness, simply thaw them at room temperature. You’ll be able to enjoy that homemade goodness anytime!
tips to make Holiday Spice Cookies
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Perfect Butter: Make sure your butter is really softened. It should feel cool to the touch but not melted. This gives your cookies the right texture.
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Choose Ripe Persimmons: If you can find ripe, sweet persimmons, they make a world of difference! They add natural sweetness and moisture, which your cookies will thank you for.
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Experiment with Spices: If you love a certain spice, feel free to add a little more! You could even throw in some ground ginger or allspice for an extra pop of flavor.
variation (if any)
Looking to switch things up? You can easily modify this recipe! Try adding chocolate chips for a fun twist or some chopped nuts for extra crunch. Each variation brings a new layer of delight and personal touch to the classic recipe.
Pro Tips for Success
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Chill Your Dough: If you have time, chill your dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from becoming too spread out.
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Don’t Overbake: The key to soft cookies is to take them out of the oven as soon as the edges are golden. The centers might look slightly underbaked, but they will continue to cook on the hot sheets as they cool.
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Use Parchment Paper: Lining your cookie sheets with parchment paper can prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Plus, your cookies will bake evenly!
Serving Ideas
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Cozy Family Brunch: Serve these cookies as part of a lovely holiday brunch spread. Mixed with fresh fruit, yogurt, and steaming cups of coffee, they are sure to brighten your table.
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Gift Sharing: Package them in cute tins or boxes as holiday gifts for friends and neighbors. A heartfelt note can spread the holiday cheer even further.
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Bake Sale Delight: These cookies are perfect for bake sales or potlucks. They’ll attract attention and warm hearts—who can resist a homemade cookie?
FAQs
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Can I use other fruits instead of persimmons?
Absolutely! You can substitute with applesauce or mashed bananas for a different flavor. -
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
If stored properly, your cookies will stay fresh for about a week. Just make sure they are in an airtight container! -
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can! Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. -
What’s the best way to make these cookies gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and you should be good to go!
Quick Recap
As you prepare to bake these delightful holiday spice cookies, remember they are more than just a recipe; they are a way to create cherished moments in your kitchen. The warmth of spices, the joy of sharing, and the simple pleasure of indulging in a homemade treat all come together in each bite.
So, take a few moments this weekend to bring some warmth and sweetness into your home. Bake these cookies, and you’ll be glad you did! Happy baking!
Holiday Spice Cookies
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened Make sure your butter is really softened.
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup mashed persimmons Ripe persimmons are ideal for sweetness.
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour Can be substituted with gluten-free blend.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Beat in the mashed persimmons and the eggs until well blended.
- In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture and stir gently until just blended.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving space between each one.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly browned.
- Let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks.