Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creative and Fun: Decorating the cookies with faces, musical notes, or festive designs is a delightful activity for all ages.
- Perfect for Holiday Gifting: These cookies are a beautiful and thoughtful addition to holiday cookie platters or gift baskets.
- Easy-to-Make Dough: The simple, straightforward recipe means you’ll have delicious cookies in no time.
- Customizable: Use your favorite decorations and icing to personalize the caroler theme.
- Kid-Friendly: Little ones will love helping with the decorating process!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- Colorful candy or sprinkles (for decorating)
- Royal icing or buttercream frosting (for decorating)
- Red candies (for noses)
Directions
- Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
Gradually stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until the dough forms a soft consistency. - Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Gently press down on each ball with the back of a spoon or your fingers to flatten slightly. - Bake
Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. - Decorate
Use royal icing or buttercream frosting to pipe fun caroler faces or festive patterns onto the cookies.
Add colorful candies or sprinkles to enhance the designs, and use red candies for the noses. For a musical touch, pipe small musical notes or holiday-themed symbols on the cookies.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes approximately 24 cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Decorating Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Lovers: Swap mini chocolate chips for white chocolate or dark chocolate chunks for a twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Themed Colors: Use colored icing and decorations to match specific holiday themes, such as red and green for Christmas or blue and silver for Hanukkah.
- Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of almond extract or orange zest to the dough for extra flavor.
- Alternative Decorations: Use edible glitter or gold dust for a sparkling effect.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
- Freezing: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Decorate after thawing for the best results.
- Reheating: Bring cookies to room temperature before serving. Avoid reheating decorated cookies as the icing may melt.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days before baking. Let it come to room temperature before rolling and shaping.
2. What icing is best for decorating?
Royal icing is ideal for intricate designs, while buttercream is great for spreading and simple patterns.
3. Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/8 teaspoon.
4. How do I keep the cookies soft?
Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain their softness.
5. Can I skip the mini chocolate chips?
Absolutely! The chocolate chips are optional and can be replaced with nuts or omitted entirely.
6. What if I don’t have red candies?
Use red icing or another small candy like a red M&M as a substitute for the noses.
7. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes before shaping and baking.
8. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredients and ensure you bake in batches.
9. Are these cookies suitable for gifting?
Absolutely! Place them in festive tins or wrap them in decorative cellophane for a lovely holiday gift.
10. Can I add food coloring to the dough?
Yes, knead in food coloring for a colorful dough before shaping.
Conclusion
Cheerful Caroler Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat for spreading joy and creativity. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, baking with the family, or gifting to loved ones, these cookies are sure to delight. Try them this season and bring a little extra cheer to your festivities!
Cheerful Caroler Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cheerful Caroler Cookies are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth holiday treats perfect for festive baking! Easy to make and fun to decorate, these cookies bring joy to your holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- Colorful candy or sprinkles (for decorating)
- Royal icing or buttercream frosting (for decorating)
- Red candies (for noses)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Beat softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually incorporate flour, baking powder, and salt to form a soft dough.
- Shape the Cookies
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet 2 inches apart.
- Press each ball slightly to flatten.
- Bake
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Decorate
- Use royal icing or buttercream to create caroler faces or festive patterns.
- Add candies or sprinkles for details and red candies for noses.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Holiday Treats
