Hip2Save may earn a small commission through trusted partners and affiliate links in this post, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are accurate at the time of publication. Read our full disclosure policy here.
Want to know how to make Christmas cookie dough? This versatile recipe is your secret weapon for busy holidays.
Need an easy way to make Christmas cookies?
Consider making one type of cookie dough and dividing it up to add several different types of ingredients. This idea is actually pretty genius. Because basically once you make the dough, you can use it in several different ways to bake a variety of delicious homemade cookies.
Holiday baking made easy!
I love anything that makes my time in the kitchen easier, so this Christmas cookie dough recipe is a great idea to streamline your holiday baking while still getting multiple flavors of Christmas cookies.
Whether you’re baking holiday cookies for your family or as gifts, everyone loves biting into soft, delicious cookies.
It all starts with delicious Christmas cookie dough.
This versatile dough can be transformed into a variety of cookies by simply adding chopped candies, baking chips, nuts, and more. The secret to this dough is in the instant vanilla pudding packaging. You can enjoy the soft yet chewy texture. Baking plain vanilla cookies without any additives is delicious. These are my new favorite cookies.
The possibilities are endless. Today I’m going to share with you just three of the many different cookies you should consider making using this versatile dough.
Can Christmas cookie dough be frozen?
surely! Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. If you cut shapes out of the dough, be sure to separate each shape on parchment paper before wrapping.
For more tips on freezing cookie dough, check out Martha Stewart’s tips.
pecan toffee cookies
For this variety, I mixed milk chocolate toffee bits and chopped pecans into the dough before baking. I think chopped Heath candy bars would also work wonders!
thumbprint jam cookies
Bake fun cookies using your favorite jam. Form balls out of Christmas cookie dough, press with your thumb or the bottom of a measuring spoon, fill with 1/2 teaspoon jam and bake. After it cooled down, I sprinkled a little powdered sugar on top. It’s so delicious!
peppermint chocolate drizzle
Melt chocolate chips in the microwave and sprinkle generously on top of the cookies. All you have to do is top it with crushed candy cane! So delicious, these were my kids’ favorite!
How to make Christmas cookie dough – 1 recipe, 3 types of cookies
Make this soft vanilla pudding dough and use it as a base for a variety of cookies. Here are three delicious methods I used.
For cookie dough:
For pecan toffee cookies:
For Peppermint Chocolate Drizzle:
3 candy canes, 1/2 cup crushed chocolate chips
For thumbprint cookies:
Any flavored fruit jam (I used strawberry and orange) Powdered sugar (for dusting)
1
To make the dough base:
In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed, mix the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the vanilla and both eggs, one at a time, and mix.
2
Add pudding mix, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the flour and mix over medium heat until a dough forms, about 2 minutes.
3
Divide the Christmas cookie dough into 3 equal parts and chill for 1 to 2 hours. This is optional, but it’s best to avoid spreading it too thin.
4
For pecan toffee:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir the toffee bits and pecans into the batter. Place tablespoon-sized cookies on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 13 minutes. Let the cookies rest on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.
5
For thumbprint cookies:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll tablespoon-sized cookie balls onto a baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon to press an indentation into each cookie. Place 1/2 teaspoon jam on top of cookies. Bake at 375 degrees for about 13 minutes. Let the cookies rest on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. Once cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
6
For Peppermint Chocolate Drizzle:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a tablespoon-sized mound of dough on a baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 13 minutes. Melt the chocolate chips in a glass dish in the microwave in 30 second increments until melted. Use a spoon to drizzle over each cookie. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack.
7
Cooled cookies can be stored in a covered container at room temperature for about 3 days or in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. This Christmas cookie dough makes about 40 cookies.
Brought to you by Hip2Save.
My family flipped these Christmas cookies!
Even my husband, who isn’t too excited about cookies, absolutely loved this Christmas cookie dough. It would be so much fun to have a family baking day at home while enjoying Christmas movies and hot cocoa. If you want to make more varieties, you can double or triple this recipe.
Want more cookie recipes? Check these out:
These cookies are the perfect addition to a hot chocolate charcuterie board.
