Description
These Spiced Christmas Cookies with Nutmeg are a delightful holiday treat packed with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Soft in the center with lightly golden edges, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, making them an ideal festive bake for celebrations or cozy winter afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 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 ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling cookies)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture, beating until fully combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to keep the dough soft. Avoid overmixing.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes to firm it up, making it easier to handle.
- Form Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls with your hands.
- Coat with Sugar: Roll each dough ball in the additional granulated sugar to give a sweet crunchy exterior.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
- For even baking, rotate baking sheets halfway through baking time.
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for best creaming results.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender.
- Chilling the dough helps avoid spreading and makes rolling easier.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week.
