Jolly Santa’s Cookies Recipe: Magical Holiday Treats

Sweet memories of childhood holidays often revolve around these magical Santa’s cookies that bring pure joy to festive gatherings.

Grandmothers across America have perfected delectable recipes passed through generations.

Crisp edges and soft centers create irresistible textures that make everyone smile.

Warm vanilla and buttery notes dance together in perfect harmony.

Sprinkled with festive cheer, these treats promise delightful moments of connection.

Traditional yet innovative, the recipe invites you to craft something special.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of these nostalgic delights.

Santa’s Cookies For Magical Holiday Memories

• Craft Festive Delights: Create memorable holiday treats that spark joy and bring smiles to everyone's faces with these delightful Santa's Cookies.
• Customize with Ease: Swap out M&Ms for different colors or add sprinkles to match any celebration, making these cookies super adaptable for various events.
• Kid-Friendly Baking: Involve children in rolling dough balls, placing chips, and decorating, turning cookie-making into a fun family bonding experience.
• Quick Preparation Magic: Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean you can whip up these delicious cookies without spending hours in the kitchen.

All Ingredients Needed For Santa’s Cookie Plate

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that adds flavor and helps create a soft texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredients that provide sweetness and help with cookie caramelization.
• Vanilla Extract: A flavor enhancer that adds depth and warmth to the cookie.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's structure.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component that gives the cookie its shape and texture.
• Instant Pudding Mix: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, tender cookie.
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and spread.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Chocolate Chips, M&Ms: Sweet additions that provide bursts of chocolate flavor and colorful decoration.

Steps To Bake Santa’s Cookies With Ease

Step 1: Create Creamy Foundation

Grab softened butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl.

Whip them together until the mixture becomes light and airy.

Pour in vanilla extract and crack an egg into the blend.

Stir everything until smooth and well-combined.

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Instant vanilla pudding mix
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients in a separate bowl until perfectly blended and lump-free.

Step 3: Merge Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add dry ingredients into the creamy base.

Gently fold until a consistent dough forms.

Sprinkle in most of your chocolate chips, stirring gently to distribute evenly.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Transfer the cookie mixture into the refrigerator.

Let it rest and cool for one hour, allowing flavors to meld and dough to firm up.

Step 5: Shape Delightful Cookies

Remove chilled dough from refrigerator.

Roll into round balls using your palms.

Top each cookie with reserved chocolate chips and colorful M&Ms for festive flair.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place cookies on lined baking sheet.

Bake until edges turn golden brown, approximately 9-12 minutes.

Remove and let cool on wire rack.

Tips For Santa’s Cookies That Stay Soft

• Cream butter and sugars at room temperature for maximum fluffiness, ensuring smooth incorporation of ingredients.
• Refrigerate dough for at least one hour to prevent spreading and enhance cookie texture and flavor development.
• Reserve some chocolate chips and M&Ms to press on top of cookies before baking for a visually appealing and evenly studded surface.
• Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform cookie balls, guaranteeing even baking and professional-looking results.
• The instant pudding mix adds moisture and softness, creating a tender cookie with enhanced flavor and longer-lasting freshness.

Santa’s Cookie Variations For Christmas Eve

• Gluten-Free Santa's Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version. Ensure pudding mix is gluten-free.
• Vegan Holiday Treat: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg substitute like flax egg, and select dairy-free chocolate chips. Choose vegan pudding mix.
• Low-Sugar Santa's Delight: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, reduce chip quantity, and incorporate sugar-free pudding mix for diabetic-friendly option.
• Keto-Friendly Christmas Cookie: Substitute flour with ground almonds, use sugar-free sweetener, replace pudding mix with cream cheese, and select low-carb chocolate chips.

How To Present Santa’s Cookies By The Fire

• Holiday Dessert Platter: Arrange cookies on a festive red and green tray with candy canes and sprinkled powdered sugar for a magical Christmas presentation.
• Milk Pairing Paradise: Serve warm cookies alongside cold, creamy milk in cute holiday mugs with cute Santa or reindeer designs for extra cheer.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons, perfect for teacher gifts or neighborhood cookie exchanges.
• Kid-Friendly Decorating Station: Let children add extra M&Ms or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for personalized cookie fun.

Storing Santa’s Cookies For A Holiday Treat

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days.
• Place completely cooled cookies in freezer-safe container, separated by wax paper, for up to 3 months.
• Wrap raw dough balls in plastic wrap, store in freezer bag for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
• Warm individual cookies for 10-15 seconds on 50% power to maintain soft texture and prevent hardening.

FAQs

• What makes the pudding mix special in this recipe?

The pudding mix helps create ultra-soft, moist cookies with a rich texture and prevents them from becoming dry or crumbly.

• Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! You can swap chocolate chips for white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even butterscotch chips to customize the flavor profile.

• Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking, intensifies the flavors, and allows the ingredients to blend together more effectively, resulting in a better cookie texture.

• Are these cookies kid-friendly to make?

Yes! Kids can help mix ingredients, roll dough balls, and decorate with M&Ms, making it a fun holiday baking activity for the whole family.

Santas Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Magical Santa’s Cookies blend nostalgic Christmas spirit with buttery sweetness, creating memories that dance across generations. Festive bakers discover delightful comfort in each perfectly crafted, melt-in-your-mouth treat you’ll cherish during holiday celebrations.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup holiday M&Ms

Dairy and Sweeteners:

• 3/4 cup (170 grams) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix

Leavening and Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the creamy foundation by thoroughly blending softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and airy. Incorporate vanilla extract and a single egg, mixing until completely integrated.
2. In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, instant pudding mix, baking soda, and a pinch of salt, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
3. Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, creating a uniform dough. Carefully fold in most of the chocolate chips, reserving a small portion for decoration.
4. Cover the dough and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 60 minutes, which helps intensify flavor and improve texture.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using clean hands, form the chilled dough into uniform spherical shapes, approximately 1-inch in diameter. Garnish each cookie with reserved chocolate chips and colorful M&Ms, pressing them gently into the surface.
6. Arrange cookies on a lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges turn golden brown and centers appear slightly soft. Remove and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for optimal creaming with sugars, creating a smoother, more uniform texture.
• Replace pudding mix with cornstarch for a gluten-free alternative that maintains the cookies’ soft, chewy consistency.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even browning of cookie bottoms.
• Try different chocolate chip varieties like dark, milk, or white chocolate to customize flavor profile and create unique taste experiences.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 191
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 114 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg