Salty pistachios with sweet white chocolate chips and a touch of orange zest are a divine flavour combination.

These soft and chewy cookies are easy to make and perfect for any Christmas cookie box!

I love to make a variety of cookies during the holiday season including these Shortbread Cookies with Lemon Icing! But, these Orange White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies are packed with holiday flavours you’ll love too.

They’re the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee or hot cocoa on a Wintery afternoon. Or, make a batch as a light dessert for a holiday gathering.  If you’re a fan of white chocolate, these are the cookies for you!

Why you’ll love these orange pistachio white chocolate chip cookies

• Easy: You don’t need an electric mixer / stand mixer to make these – just a couple of mixing bowls to make these soft cookies!
• Flavourful: You get white chocolate, pistachios and a hint of orange in every bite.
• Ingredients: All of the main cookie ingredients are easy to find in the baking aisle at the grocery store.

Ingredients

Flour: all purpose flour is a must along with baking soda and baking powder

Orange: orange zest brings a nice touch of citrus flavour to these pistachio cookies

Pistachios: roasted, salted pistachios add the best pistachio flavour

White chocolate: I like to use white chocolate chips in this holiday cookie recipe but you can swap for chopped white chocolate or white baking chips

Sugar: you will need a combination of white sugar and brown sugar to make these cookies 

Butter: use unsalted butter for the base of this cookie recipe

Egg: one egg is needed to bring the cookie batter together

How to make these holiday cookies

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F & line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients together (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt) & set aside.
3. In another bowl, add orange zest, sugar and brown sugar and use your fingertips to rub the zest into the sugars until moist and fragrant. Add the melted butter to the sugar mixture and mix until well combined. 
4. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
5. Pour the flour mixture into the wet mixture and mix until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips and chopped pistachios until just incorporated.
6. Scoop 2 tablespoonfuls of cookie batter per cookie into balls, placing them about 3 inches apart on a baking sheet (make sure to leave space between cookies as they will spread). 
7. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges, the center of the cookie will still be slightly soft. Remove from the oven & let sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to the cooling rack.

Tips & tricks

• While I like to use white chocolate chips for ease in this recipe, you could chop up a white chocolate bar into white chocolate chunks instead. I like to use Ghirardelli or Lindt white chocolate bars.
• Salted pistachios give these cookies a lot of flavour compared to unsalted pistachios.
• Get perfectly round cookies by using this baking tip: Place a large round cookie cutter around each freshly baked cookie while still on the baking sheet. Gently swirl the cookie cutter around the edge of the cookie to get a perfectly round shape.

Common questions

How to store these pistachio cookies

Once cooled, you can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the cookies in a ziptop bag or in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Make sure to separate the cookies between parchment paper to ensure easier removal once frozen. Defrost cookies at room temperature for 3-4 hours before enjoying.

More holiday dessert recipes to make from the blog

• Chewy Chocolate Pretzel Bars
• Easy Cranberry Oat Crumble Bars (for the holidays)
• Lemon Squares

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Orange White Chocolate Pistachio Holiday Cookies

These Orange White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies are made for the holidays! White chocolate, pistachios and a hint of orange in every bite.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword christmas cookie, pistachio

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 16 -18 cookies

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp fresh orange zest
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup (135g) white baking chips or white chocolate chips
• ¾ cup roasted salted pistachio nuts, roughly chopped (112g – measured full then chopped)

Instructions

• Pre-heat oven to 350F & line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix dry ingredients together (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt) & set aside.
• In another bowl, add orange zest, sugar and brown sugar and use your fingertips to rub the zest into the sugars until moist and fragrant. Add the melted butter to the sugar mixture and mix until well combined.
• Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
• Pour the flour mixture into the wet mixture and mix until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips and chopped pistachios until just incorporated.
• Scoop 2 tablespoonfuls of cookie batter per cookie into balls, placing them about 3 inches apart on a baking sheet (make sure to leave space between cookies as they will spread).
• Bake for 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges, the center of the cookie will still be slightly soft. Remove from the oven & let sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to the cooling rack.

Notes

• While I like to use white chocolate chips for ease in this recipe, you could chop up a white chocolate bar into white chocolate chunks instead. I like to use Ghirardelli or Lindt white chocolate bars.
• If white chocolate isn’t your favourite, feel free to swap for dark chocolate chips (or a chopped dark chocolate bar instead).
• Once cooled, you can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the cookies in a ziptop bag or in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Make sure to separate the cookies between parchment paper to ensure easier removal once frozen. Defrost cookies at room temperature for 3-4 hours before enjoying.

Photography by: Kaeleigh Pugliese

The post Orange White Chocolate Pistachio Holiday Cookies appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

This deep dish sugar cookie is perfect for one and you can make it in just one bowl.

If you love chewy cookies and have a sweet tooth, this is the cookie recipe for you!

While I love making a big batch of christmas cookies for holiday gatherings and parties, sometimes I just want a little treat all to myself!

This sugar cookie is made in a ramekin, giving you a deliciously gooey and chewy cookie just for one. It’s fun to eat with a spoon and makes the perfect treat when you want something sweet.

While this recipe isn’t like your traditional cutout sugar cookie or drop sugar cookies, it packs the same vanilla flavor just in a large cookie! The best part is digging your spoon into the gooey, chewy cookie centre that is packed with sprinkles once its baked.

Why you’ll love this deep dish single serving sugar cookie

• You only need 9 simple baking ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

• This single serving cookie is made with just a bowl and a whisk, so there’s no need to pull out the stand mixer or have to wash a bunch of dishes!

• This deep dish sugar cookie is so buttery and soft, but if you want a more crispy cookie you can just bake it for longer in the oven.

• This sugar cookie recipe is perfect if you want a sweet treat in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients Needed to make your own sugar cookie

Unsalted Butter: using melted butter means no need to pull out the stand mixer or a handheld mixer.

All purpose flour: the base of any good cookie recipe is flour and we’re using the basic all purpose flour for this perfect sugar cookie.

Sugar: while some sugar cookies just use one type of sugar, I like to mix brown sugar and white sugar for this single sugar cookie to enhance the chewiness.

Whole egg: all you need to make this cookie is an egg yolk; you don’t need to use the egg whites of an egg.

Sugar: a combination of brown sugar and white sugar is going to give you a soft cookie with a crisp exterior.

Vanilla extract: vanilla extract is a classic cookie ingredients and is most definitely needed in this recipe.

Baking Soda: check on the expiration date of your baking soda, if it’s expired then the cookie won’t rise in the oven.

Sprinkles: because you have to add some fun sprinkles for the best sugar cookie!

Step by Step Process to make this single serving sugar cookie recipe

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°Fahrenheit. Grease using butter or spray with cooking spray an 8-10 oz oven-safe ramekin. In a small or medium mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter with the brown sugar and white sugar until fully combined.

Step 2: Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and whisk to fully combine.

Step 3: Add the baking soda, salt and flour to the bowl. Stir all of the ingredients together until a cookie dough forms. Mix in 2 tablespoons of sprinkles and press the cookie dough into an 8-10oz ramekin. Add an extra pinch of sprinkles on top if desired.

Step 4: Bake the single sugar cookie in the preheated oven for 18-24 minutes, depending on how done you want the cookie. A baking time of 16-18 minutes will give you a slightly underdone cookie that’s just golden brown around the edges versus 24 minutes of cooking time will give you a fully baked cookie with a more crisp edge. Enjoy!

Expert Tips to make this easy sugar cookie recipe

• If you want to add some chocolate to this cookie, substitute 1 tablespoon of the sprinkles with 1 tablespoon of white chocolate chips to satisfy that chocolate craving!

• Keep an eye on the deep dish cookie while it’s in the oven. If you bake it for just 16-18 minutes, you’ll have a more gooey and soft sugar cookie. If you prefer a crispy and fully baked cookie, it will need 22-24 minutes in the oven.

• While I love rainbow sprinkles all year long, it’s fun to use festive sprinkles like red, green and white in this single-serving cookie recipe for the holiday season!

• Be extra indulgent and serve this cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

Common Questions

What size ramekin should I use?
Use an oven-safe ramekin that holds 8-10 ounces. If you use any smaller oven-safe dish, then the cookie dough might overflow while baking.

Can I make this for two?
Absolutely! Easily double the ingredients and split the cookie dough between 2 ramekins to make two deep dish sugar cookies.

Do I need an electric mixer or hand mixer to make this delicious cookie?
You don’t need any fancy equipment to make this sugar cookie recipe. All you need is a small bowl to mix the ingredients together and a ramekin to bake the cookie in.

Can I bake this giant sugar cookie on a prepared baking sheet instead?
I haven’t tested this single serve cookies recipe other than in a ramekin. However, you could try shaping the dough into a ball to make a big cookie; place on a parchment paper line baking sheet; press the cookie down a bit to flatten slightly and bake at the same temperature as the deep dish cookie, 350F, for 18-22 minutes until the edges just starting turning golden brown.

What if I want to add an icing to this cookie?
Since this single serving sugar cookie recipe is best enjoyed warm, I don’t typically use icing for this cookie. However, if you want a simple icing you can mix together 1 tbsp softened butter, 1/4 cup icing sugar, 1/2 tsp milk and 1/8-1/4 tsp almond extract. Mix together those ingredients with a fork and spread on the cookie after it’s cooled for a few minutes. Alternatively, simply top the baked cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Storage

I recommend enjoying this deep dish sugar cookie right after it is baked.

More cookie recipes to love from the blog

One Bowl Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

40 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes (few ingredients!)

The Best Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cookies

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Easy Deep Dish Single Serving Sugar Cookie Recipe

This single serving sugar cookie recipe is the perfect treat for one! It's a soft & chewy deep dish cookie to satisfy your cookie cravings.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine american-inspired

Keyword single serving dessert, sugar cookie

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 1 deep dish cookie

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 1/2 tbsp white sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 1/2 tbsp all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 tbsp sprinkles plus more for garnish

Variation: Easter Deep Dish Mini-Egg Cookie

• 2 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• brown sugar, lightly packed
• white sugar
• egg yolk
• vanilla extract
• all purpose flour
• baking soda
• salt
• 3 tbsp chopped chocolate mini-eggs

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°Fahrenheit. Grease using butter or spray with cooking spray an 8-10 oz oven-safe ramekin. In a small or medium mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter with the brown sugar and white sugar until fully combined.
• Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and whisk to fully combine.
• Add the baking soda, salt and flour to the bowl. Stir all of the ingredients together until a cookie dough forms. *If you find the dough to be a bit dry, start by adding 1 tsp of milk at a time to get a smooth cookie dough texture.*

  Then, mix in 2 tablespoons of sprinkles and press the cookie dough into an 8-10oz ramekin. Add an extra pinch of sprinkles on top if desired.
• Bake the single sugar cookie in the preheated oven for 18-24 minutes, depending on how done you want the cookie. A baking time of 16-18 minutes will give you a slightly underdone cookie that's just golden brown around the edges versus 24 minutes of cooking time will give you a fully baked cookie with a more crisp edge. Enjoy!

Variation: Easter Deep Dish Mini-Egg Cookie

• Follow the same method as above BUT substitute the sprinkles for 3 tbsp chopped mini-eggs instead.

Notes

• Use an oven-safe ramekin that holds 8-10 ounces. If you use any smaller oven-safe dish, then the cookie dough might overflow while baking.
• Can I make this for two? Absolutely! Easily double the ingredients and split the cookie dough between 2 ramekins to make two deep dish sugar cookies.
• Serve this cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert!
• I haven't tested this single serve cookies recipe other than in a ramekin. However, you could try shaping the dough into a ball to make a big cookie; place on a parchment paper line baking sheet; press the cookie down a bit to flatten slightly and bake at the same temperature as the deep dish cookie, 350F, for 18-22 minutes until the edges just starting turning golden brown.

The post Easy Deep Dish Single Serving Sugar Cookie Recipe appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

You’ll find easy cookie recipes with simple ingredients to get you into the holiday spirit.

Whether you’re baking for a Christmas party; cookie exchange; or just for yourself, these recipes are meant for the festive season.

One of my favorite holiday memories from my childhood is decorating shortbread Christmas cookies.  It was the perfect way to enjoy time together as a family and have fun too! It’s a great family tradition and a new favorite easy holiday cookie recipe is the best place to start.

Why you’ll love this collection of easy Christmas cookie recipes using few ingredients

• Recipes have minimal ingredients to make the baking process easier.
• There are easy recipes for everyone’s tastes! Chocolate cookies, sugar cookies and other festive cookies to name a few.
• A variety of dietary needs are met in these holiday cookie recipes including gluten-free and vegan options.

Basic baking supplies and ingredients needed to make easy holiday cookies

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Favorite cookie cutters
• Basic ingredients such as: butter, white sugar, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, chocolate chips and cocoa powder
• Airtight container for storage

Easy Sugar Cookies for Christmas

Choose from a variety of sugar cookies for your Christmas baking! Soft & chewy, peppermint and chocolate chip cookies – you’ll find Christmas sugar cookies for everyone’s taste.

The BEST Sugar Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for the most versatile and BEST Sugar Cookies, look no further! These buttery cookies can either be rolled out and cut into shapes or baked soft and chewy!

Check out this recipe

Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

These soft and chewy sugar cookies with sprinkles have a sweet, vanilla flavor and are perfect to make for a birthday or celebration!

Check out this recipe

Chocolate Peppermint Sugar Cookies

Peppered with real bits of candy cane and melted dark chocolate, these super soft, dark chocolate peppermint sugar cookies are the perfect canvas for all your holiday cookie decorating needs.

Check out this recipe

Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies

The ultimate soft and gooey chocolate chip sugar cookies recipe. They are sweet, chewy, and easy to make with 8 basic ingredients. Seriously, the best cookies ever!

Check out this recipe

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies

These easy, chewy cinnamon brown sugar cookies are perfect for the holidays! Made with melted butter (no waiting for butter to soften!) and easy to mix by hand – no stand mixer required. Ready in half an hour!

Check out this recipe

Gingerbread Cookies

Easy gingerbread cookies are a must for a cookie exchange or holiday cookie platter!

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

Bake up a holiday memory with these super easy Gingerbread Cookies then simply decorate with royal icing, or add your favourite candy decorations.

Check out this recipe

Festive Cookie Recipes for the Holidays

A variety of delicious cookies for your Christmas celebrations including festive treats like red velvet cookies and eggnog cookies and peppermint snowball cookies with candy canes.

Red Velvet Cookies

These easy red velvet cookies start with a cake mix and are loaded with white chocolate chips. A simple yet impressive cookie!

Check out this recipe

Eggnog Cookie Recipe For The Holidays

This recipe for easy, soft, melt in your mouth eggnog cookies will knock your friends socks off! Let’s get baking!!

Check out this recipe

Peppermint Snowball Cookies

These Peppermint Snowball Cookies take everything you love about the classic butter ball cookie, but it swaps out the nuts for peppermint, making them an even more festive and adorable Christmas cookie that will be welcome on any cookie tray!

Check out this recipe

Easy Authentic Italian Pignoli Cookies

Pignoli Cookies, or pine nut cookies, are a classic Italian confection. They’re chewy, sweet and only require 5 ingredients!

Check out this recipe

Soft Pecan Cookies with Maple Glaze

Are you looking for a new, favourite fall dessert recipe? Try these amazing soft pecan cookies with maple glaze – a great seasonal treat.

Check out this recipe

Easy Christmas Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies are an easy way to dive into holiday baking since they generally use just a handful of ingredients. Classic and whipped shortbread plus a unique earl grey cookie, they’re a classic and easy Christmas cookie for the Christmas season.

Easy Shortbread Cookies (Classic Recipe + Tips!)

Buttery, crumbly and light classic shortbread cookies that are easy to make with the minimal amount of ingredients you ALWAYS have in your kitchen! Make the classic version or scottish shortbread.

Check out this recipe

Best Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

These tender, buttery earl grey shortbread cookies are the best! Flavored with earl greay and vanilla for a “london fog” inspired shortbread. Easy to make!

Check out this recipe

Shortbread Cookies with Lemon Icing

Easy shortbread cookies for the holidays with a delicious lemon icing. The perfect cookie to decorate, gift and enjoy.

Check out this recipe

Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies

These Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies are comprised of a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie base with real crushed candy cane.

Check out this recipe

Best Whipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Whipped Shortbread Cookies are delightful holiday cookies will melt in your mouth. They are light, buttery and SO easy to make.

Check out this recipe

Chocolate Cookie Recipes to make for Christmas

You cannot go wrong with a chocolate cookie for the holidays! Chocolate brownie cookies along with chocolate and peppermint, there are many delicious treats to make with chocolate for your cookie plate at Christmas.

Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

These double chocolate mint cookies are the perfect holiday cookie. Made with rich chocolate cookie dough, chopped Andes mints and peppermint extract.

Check out this recipe

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

These peppermint chocolate chip cookies are a holiday twist on a classic chocolate chip cookie! Loaded with candy cane pieces and lots of chocolate chips, they are the best Christmas cookie!

Check out this recipe

Brownie Crinkle Cookies with Peppermint White Chooclate

Chewy dark chocolate brownie batter cookies with peppermint white chocolate chunks folded in. The perfect winter holiday dessert!

Check out this recipe

Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies With Orange

These chocolate chip pecan cookies are wonderfully rich and filled with pecans and orange zest. Ready in 30 minutes and perfect for Christmas.

Check out this recipe

Salted Mocha Brownie Crinkle Cookies

Part brownie, part cookie, these salted mocha brownie cookies are super fudgy and ready to eat in 20 minutes with no chilling time!

Check out this recipe

Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies

These chewy chocolate peppermint kiss cookies are the ultimate Christmas cookie! Perfect for your next holiday gathering, cuddled in for a Christmas movie marathon, or for a cookie exchange with friends!

Check out this recipe

Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cookies

These easy Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cookies are everything you love about brownies BUT in cookie form! Chewy & decadent & hard to resist!

Check out this recipe

Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

If you’ve never used cake mix to make cookies, now is the time to try it! You can make an easy cookie dough using a boxed cake mix and a few simple baking ingredients. Then you have a perfect holiday cookie in no time!

Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix

Full of chocolate chips and rolled in sweet powdered sugar, these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix are a must make!

Check out this recipe

Cake Mix Cookies

These cake mix cookies are a 5 ingredient dessert that can be made in tons of different flavors and decorated for any occasion.

Check out this recipe

Easy Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes

From peanut butter blossoms to snickerdoodle cookies, these are some of the most classic and easy Christmas cookies for the season.

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms (Quick & Easy!)

These quick and easy 3-ingredient peanut butter blossoms are soft and chewy with crackly sugar-coated edges. Naturally gluten-free and yummy!

Check out this recipe

Snowball Cookies

These snowball cookies are light and tender cookies studded with pecans and chocolate chips, then rolled in powdered sugar.

Check out this recipe

Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar

Soft and chewy snickerdoodles that use standard pantry ingredients! Ready in 30 minutes, these snickerdoodles without cream of tartar are perfect any time of year!

Check out this recipe

Pecan Sandies (Vintage Recipe)

Pecan Sandies have a shortbread-like cookie base studded with pecans and dusted with powdered sugar. Nostalgic and SO good!

Check out this recipe

Chewy Coconut Macaroons

If you love chewy coconut cookies, these chocolate dipped macaroons are for you. Drizzled with dark chocolate, chewy coconut macaroons are a holiday tradition.

Check out this recipe

Gluten-Free and Vegan Christmas Cookie Recipes

For family and friends with special dietary needs, these gluten-free cookies and vegan Christmas cookie recipes are for you! There are homemade cookies for both types of dietary needs including easy peanut butter cookies, gluten-free gingerbread cookies and vegan ‘shortbread’ cookies too since everyone should be able to enjoy delicious Christmas cookies. 

Vegan Christmas Cookies

Soft, light, and buttery vegan Christmas cookies. With vegan royal icing, these easy sugar cookies make a fun Christmas baking project!

Check out this recipe

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men Cookies

These super delicious Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men Cookies roll out and cut beautifully, are packed with big flavor and couldn’t be easier to make.

Check out this recipe

Paleo Cinnamon Snowflake Christmas Cookies Using Coconut Sugar | Grain, Gluten, Dairy, & Egg Free

Celebrate the season without the sugar overload and make these festive and fun Paleo cinnamon snowflake cookies!

Check out this recipe

Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies

My easy Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies are the perfect festive treat. The shortbread is rich, buttery, and melt-in-the-mouth delicious.

Check out this recipe

No Flour Peanut Butter Cookies With 4 Ingredients

Easy peanut butter cookies recipe made with no flour. These simple chewy cookies are made with only 4 ingredients! These are one of my family’s favorite cookies and I love how quick they are to make!

Check out this recipe

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

The ultimate cookie for the peanut butter and chocolate lover. These Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms are a classic during the holiday season.

Check out this recipe

Chewy Amaretti Cookies (Gluten Free)

Chewy Amaretti Cookies are one of the easiest recipes you will make. Containing just five ingredients, these delicious cookies will become a favourite.

Check out this recipe

Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies

3 ingredient almond flour peanut butter cookies – vegan with Maple syrup! Almond flour peanut butter cookies — keto option included!

Check out this recipe

Vegan Cinnamon Cookies

These vegan cinnamon cookies are sweet, crunchy and easy to cut-out…an excellent bake for the festive season, delicious topped with icing.

Check out this recipe

German Marzipan Balls (vegan & gluten-free)

These German Marzipan Balls are the easiest Christmas Cookies ever! Vegan, gluten-free and only 2 ingredients needed! Have you got 5 minutes?

Check out this recipe

The post 40 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes (few ingredients!) appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

And I’ve got you covered with all the recipes to make in December.

From holiday baking to cocktails and menus for small gatherings, let’s chat what’s in season this month!I can hardly believe it’s December already; how about you?

I just finished making my holiday baking list so here’s some sweets inspiration for you:

Holiday treats to bake in December

Nanaimo Bars

Soft Pecan Cookies with Maple Glaze

Lemon Squares

Shortbread Cookies with Lemon Icing

Chocolate Pretzel Bars

No Bake Gingerbread Mini Cheesecakes

And if you’re sharing your holiday baking this year, here’s how to make a holiday cookie box which makes a great gift!

Between desserts and cocktails, we’re enjoying many meals with family and friends. I love to keep things as simple as possible with the menus so we can enjoy each other’s company. So, I’ve curated a few menus for you to use for simple holiday dinners including Christmas!

Here are recipes made for sharing this holiday season

Simple Christmas Dinner Ideas

Festive Market Cheeseboard

One Pot Sausage and Tomato Pasta

Winter Oven Baked Risotto with Mushrooms & Kale

Decadent Hot Chocolate Bar

Don’t forget something to cheers with!

Here are a few of my favourite holiday cocktails

Winter Spiced Old Fashioned

Cranberry Rosé Fizz

Easy Mulled Wine

Spiced Winter Punch | The Perfect Cocktail for the Holidays

Citrus Vodka Crush

And, if you’re planning for a small New Year’s Eve at home, check out my New Year’s Eve Party Menu! You’ll find small sweet and savoury bites to share plus a Ginger Honey Sparkler mocktail that can easily be made into something to cheers with by adding some bubbly of your choice!

Looking for more Wintery meal inspiration?? Get on the list to get a copy of my cookbook with cozy meals and drinks for the season!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post What’s In Season – Holiday Recipes to Make in December appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

I’ve been gifting a holiday cookie box every year for as long as I can remember.

So I’m going to share with you my tips and cookie recipes to create your own Christmas cookie box to give this season.

How do you build a Christmas cookie box?

Step 1: Choose the vessel for your cookie box.

A shoe box or gift box works really well as a base for building.

Step 2: Once you’ve chosen a cookie box, it’s time to setup the different sections.

You can cut out pieces of paper or cardboard to make dividers in the box or try using cupcake liners to separate the sections.  Scrunched up parchment paper also works well to provide a base in the holiday cookie box for all the baking to rest on in each section.

Step 3: Now that you have created dividers in the box, you can count how many sections you need to fill.

This helps you decide how many Christmas cookie recipes or bars to make!

Step 4: Time to bake!

From gingerbread to sugar cookies, peppermint bark to holiday bars and other holiday goodies, it’s totally up to you! I like to mix and match my home-baked Christmas cookie recipes along with some local treats too.

So this holiday season if you’re looking for a homemade gift Christmas cookie boxes might just be the way to go!

For some recipe inspiration, here is what I filled this year’s cookie box with:

Nanaimo Bars

Shortbread Cookies with Lemon Icing (plus a variety of toppings from sprinkles to pistachios & dried cranberry)

Lemon Squares

Chocolate Bark (peppermint and salted caramel)

And for a bit more inspiration, here are some of my favourite recipes from mine and other food bloggers:

Soft Pecan Cookies with Maple Glaze

Snickerdoodle Cookies

Chocolate Pretzel Bars

Chewy Rosemary Sea Salt Caramels

Chewy Winter Spice Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

It brings my so much joy to bake homemade goodies for family and friends for the holiday season. And the Christmas cookie box is the perfect way to gift those delicious morsels!

If you’re looking for even more inspo check out My Holiday Baking List from a few years ago.

What are you baking this holiday season? I’d love to know in the comments below.

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post How to Make a Christmas Cookie Box appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Since I was little I have always felt a sense of joy around the holiday season; there was always something sort of magical about this time of year.

So, let’s dig into all of the deliciousness of the season with my Monthly Favourites including which recipes to make in December!

I had A LOT of client work in November and not much downtime, so I’m really excited for a slower holiday season.

We did get away for a little long weekend in mid-November, heading to BC for a little mountain downtime which was the perfect re-charge before finishing up many projects the rest of the month.

During the last week of November we got our Christmas tree up and decorated. I bought alllll of the butter at the grocery store to start my Christmas baking and I’ve watched my favourite holiday movies about 8x each, haha.  Some of my favourites are Elf, The Holiday, Love Actually and Home Alone which I like to watch whilst baking!

Stay tuned to the blog during December as I have a few more treats up my sleeve plus my baking list for the season and perfect shareable recipes for entertaining!

And, I’m planning all of the delicious dishes to make the rest of this month too! Here are some of my favourite recipes to make in December:

Prosciutto Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Cranberry-Pear Chia Seed Jam

Kale, Apple & Cheddar Salad with Spicy Chickpeas

Baked Pears with Cardamom Cream

Baked Parsnip Fries with Garlic Yogurt Dip

Lemon Squares

PLUS, if you need holiday appetizer inspo, check out this awesome round-up of 20 appetizer recipes from Food Bloggers of Canada which includes my New Year’s Eve Party menu!

I’m really looking forward to being at home this month; enjoying time reading by the Christmas tree; visiting with family and friends; and, cooking at home.

And, if you need any book gift ideas, a couple of my favs from this year are:

Healthyish is one of the only cookbooks I’ve purchased this year and we cook out of it all, the, time! Seriously so many delicious dishes that are simple to make, especially during the week. There is a Spiced Chicken & Chickpea Flatbread with Cucumber-Dill Tzatziki that is so simple for a weeknight dinner, plus a TON of flavour! Then my other favourite recipe in the book is a Single-Serving Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookie; for when you need a cookie, stat!

If you need a few novel ideas, The Little French Bistro and Little Beach Street Bakery  are two really cute books that I absolutely loved. Both books have a foodie-twist, are easy to read and totally heartwarming.

I’d love to know what some of your favourite dishes are to make during the holiday season! Drop me a note below in the comments or visit me over on Instagram.

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

P.S. Thank you to the lovely Janelle Saccucci for the photos of me in this post! We had a great time taking holiday-inspired photos!

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This is one of my favourite cookie recipes for the holidays – the ingredients are simple and the lemon icing is a perfect match for the buttery cookie.

You can use any of your favourite cookie cutters to personalize these cookies and they will also be a hit at any cookie exchange!

I have so many fond memories of decorating these cookies as a kid; my mom would bake them and we’d decorate with a ton of sprinkles.

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Kitchen Equipment: cookie cutters, rolling pin
Servings: 20-24 cookies (depends on size of cookie cutter shapes)

Ingredients:
Cookies
1/2 pound (225g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup icing sugar
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
extra flour for rolling

Lemon Icing
1 3/4 cups icing sugar
3-4 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

**Take your butter out of the fridge a couple hours before making these cookies so it can soften to room temperature**

In a large mixing bowl beat the butter with a spoon. Gradually add in the icing sugar, mixing well after each addition of the sugar.

Next, in a separate bowl sift the flour, salt and baking powder together.

Then, add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Stir well with a spoon, combining until smooth. Then add in the last half of the flour mixture, stirring well again until smooth.

Cook’s Note: Towards the end of mixing in the last half of flour I used my hands to bring the dough together fully and it worked great!

Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and put the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes.

While the dough is in the fridge prepare your cookie sheets and line them with parchment.

After 30 minutes, take the dough out of the fridge and set your oven to 350F.

On a lightly floured surface, cut the dough in half and roll out one half of the dough to about a quarter inch thick. Cut out your cookie shapes, transfer to your baking sheet and then continue to use up the dough left after cutting cookies until there is little to no dough left.

Bake each sheet of cookies for 8-10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes once you remove from the oven and then transfer to your cooling rack.

Once all of your cookies are cooled down you are ready to ice and decorate them!

To make the icing combine the icing sugar and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice in a bowl and mix until a smooth icing comes together. If it is too thick or there are still lumps of sugar, add in the final tablespoon of lemon juice.  Then you are ready to ice and decorate your cookies as you see fit!

For my cookies I used a combination of gold and white sprinkles in various shapes.

This is such a fun recipe to also make ahead of time and then get a group together to decorate! Or, theses Shortbread Cookies make a lovely gift.

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

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