Holiday Spice Cookies

The holiday season is just around the corner, and there’s nothing that brings cheer quite like the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the house. These Holiday Spice Cookies are not only quick to make but also perfect for sharing with family and friends. With warm spices and sweet persimmons, they evoke that cozy feeling we all crave during this time of year. Personally, they remind me of joyful gatherings and laughter, making each bite a delightful experience that brings back fond memories.

Why Make This Recipe

These Holiday Spice Cookies are a beautiful blend of flavors that encapsulate the essence of the season. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates a comforting spice profile, while the persimmons add a unique twist that sets them apart. These cookies are not just a treat but also a wonderful way to involve the whole family in the baking process. Imagine everyone gathered in the kitchen, laughter and chatter filling the room as you drop spoonfuls of dough onto cookie sheets. Plus, they make perfect gifts during the holidays!

"These cookies disappeared in minutes at our family gathering, definitely a keeper," says a happy home baker.

How to Make Holiday Spice Cookies

Baking these Holiday Spice Cookies is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Start by preheating your oven and then cream together the butter and sugars until smooth. Adding the mashed persimmons and eggs brings a nice moisture and flavor to the dough. In a separate bowl, you’ll blend the dry ingredients, ensuring those lovely spices are well mixed. Gradually, incorporate the dry mixture into the wet one, and you’ll have a sweet, aromatic dough. Finally, drop spoonfuls onto your cookie sheet and bake until golden brown. In mere minutes, you’ll be rewarded with cookies that are not only delightful but also bursting with seasonal goodness.

Ingredients

To whip up these delicious Holiday Spice Cookies, you’ll need:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup mashed persimmons
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For those looking for substitutions, you can use applesauce for the mashed persimmons if they’re unavailable, or swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the persimmons and eggs until well blended.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, stirring until just blended.
5. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are lightly browned.
7. Let cool on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks.

How to Serve Holiday Spice Cookies

These cookies shine as a dessert served warm from the oven, paired with a glass of cold milk or warm spiced cider. For a holiday gathering, you can arrange them on a festive platter alongside other treats, making a delightful cookie tray. Kids will love decorating them with icing and sprinkles for an extra touch of fun. You could also add these cookies to holiday gift baskets, creating a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and neighbors.

How to Store

To keep your Holiday Spice Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last up to a week on the counter. If you’d like to keep them for longer, consider freezing them. Just make sure they are completely cooled before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will maintain their taste and texture for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply thaw at room temperature.

Tips to Make

For the best results, ensure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming. Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour; this keeps the cookies tender. If you prefer a more pronounced spice flavor, feel free to adjust the spice quantities to your liking. Remember, oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on the cookies during the last few minutes of baking – we want those edges to be just lightly browned!

Variations

If you want to add a little twist to your Holiday Spice Cookies, consider adding nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch. Chocolate chips can also be a delightful addition for a sweeter touch. For a holiday upgrade, try a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top before baking for a festive sparkle. Each variation can make these cookies even more exciting while still keeping their core charm.

FAQs

What can I use instead of persimmons?
If persimmons are unavailable, you can substitute applesauce or mashed bananas for a similar texture and added sweetness.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring it’s suitable for baking.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, the cookies can last up to a week or freeze for up to three months.

Can I bake these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before baking or freeze the shaped cookies to bake fresh whenever you need them.

For More Recipe Inspiration

For more delightful baking ideas and dessert inspirations, check out our Protein Muffins, or if you’re in the mood for something fun, try our Smash Cake. You might even enjoy our Mini Bento Cake Recipe for a unique twist on a classic favorite.

We’re thrilled to have you here with us! Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for more delicious family-friendly recipes:
https://www.pinterest.com/quickcakes/

Emily

Holiday Spice Cookies

These Holiday Spice Cookies are quick to make and perfect for sharing, featuring warm spices and sweet persimmons that evoke cozy seasonal feelings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 120

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened Ensure butter is at room temperature.
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup mashed persimmons Can substitute with applesauce if unavailable.
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients & Spices

• 3 cups all-purpose flour Can substitute with gluten-free blend.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the persimmons and eggs until well blended.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture, stirring until just blended.

Baking

1. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto ungreased cookie sheets.
2. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly browned.
3. Let cool on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks.

Notes

These cookies can be served warm, with milk or spiced cider. For holidays, arrange on a platter with other treats. Decorate with icing or sprinkles for fun.