photo by @cloudykitchen
Warm up those ovens and dust off those mixers, it's time to get baking! We've been loving all of the beautiful holiday cookie boxes we've seen trending this year (shout out to @cloudykitchen, @constellationinspiration and @thesweetandsimplekitchen!) and we wanted to pull together our favorite holiday cookie recipes so you can select a few and create a similar masterpiece! As for the box itself, feel free to get creative. A stroll through your local craft store should give you a few options for divided boxes (both wooden and cardboard) or feel free to use something you have at home instead. A quarter sheet tray works well or even a bamboo utensil tray!
Start with the classics: Cut out Sugar Cookies!
Some key things to remember when making sugar cookies:
Make sure the butter you use is not too soft, it should still be slightly firm to the touch when you add it to the mixing bowl. This will help cut-out cookies keep their shape.
Once you add the flour, don't over mix. Nobody likes a tough cookie.
Roll the dough evenly; you can add two thick rubber bands to the ends of your rolling pin to help keep things even.
Don't over bake! Properly baked sugar cookies will be very light in color.
Make Something Spicy: It's Gingerbread Season!
It wouldn't be the holidays without the flavors and scents of allspice, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger! We love adding a little freshly ground black pepper to anything gingerbread; it really heightens all the other spices.
Add Some Candy!
Homemade marshmallows? Chocolate Covered Halva? Yep, your cookie box needs them. Your best tool when it comes to candy making is patience and a good, sturdy candy thermometer. Don't try to eye ball it; accuracy is key!
Double the Cookie = Always Better
Don't forget about those sandwich cookies! We love linzers for the holidays, but any double-layered cookie is a winner in our book.
Don't Forget the Chocolate!
Because who doesn't love a chocolate chip cookie? We love making these classics with brown butter to bump up the overall flavor. Our favorite original recipe features a mix of two types of SunSpire Organic Fair Trade Chocolate and includes a little bit of spelt flour which adds a delicious nutty flavor and aroma.