If you’re looking to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of chocolate this holiday season, you’ll absolutely adore this Chocolate Christmas Cookies with Festive Glaze Recipe. These cookies are not just your average sweet treats — they are rich, tender, and perfectly chocolatey, all wrapped up in a delightful festive glaze that adds just the right amount of sweetness and charm. Whether you’re baking for a cozy family gathering or gifting them to friends, this recipe is your go-to for spreading holiday joy with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making these Chocolate Christmas Cookies with Festive Glaze Recipe requires simple, straightforward ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Each ingredient plays an important role, from the creamy butter that keeps the dough tender to the cocoa powder that gives these cookies their deep chocolate color and flavor. The glaze ingredients combine to create a sweet, smooth topping that complements the richness perfectly.
- 2 sticks butter, softened: Butter adds richness and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- ½ cup sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the chocolate without overpowering.
- 1 egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture for perfect cookie consistency.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or extract: A little vanilla elevates the chocolate flavor beautifully.
- 1 ½ cups flour: The structure of your cookie—essential but simple.
- ½ cup cocoa powder + extra for rolling: Gives the cookies their rich chocolate flavor and gorgeous color.
- ½ tsp baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly to stay soft yet slightly chewy.
- ¼ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Christmas sprinkles: Adds festive, colorful fun for the holidays.
- ¼ cup cocoa powder (for glaze): Deepens the chocolate taste in the glaze.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and a smooth texture for the glaze.
- ¼ teaspoon salt (for glaze): Keeps the glaze flavors balanced.
- 2-3 teaspoons milk: Adjusts the glaze consistency for easy spreading.
How to Make Chocolate Christmas Cookies with Festive Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the cookies don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze. Having this ready upfront lets you roll straight into mixing once the dough is chilled.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes around 2 to 3 minutes. This step is key because it incorporates air into the dough, ensuring your cookies are wonderfully tender. Then, add the egg and vanilla, mixing again to combine everything into a smooth base.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix in three parts to the butter mixture. Mix after each addition to encourage an even dough without overworking it, until you form a soft, chocolate dough.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, shaping it into a circle. Chilling makes it much easier to roll out and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. Pop it in the fridge for an hour or if you’re short on time, 15 minutes in the freezer does the trick.
Step 5: Roll, Cut, and Chill Again
Dust your countertop with cocoa powder before rolling out the dough to about half an inch thick. The cocoa powder adds a subtle chocolate touch and prevents sticking better than regular flour. Cut out your favorite festive shapes and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. For crisp edges and perfect texture, chill the cutouts in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them as ovens vary—when they’re just firm at the edges but still soft in the center, they’re ready. Let them cool on a rack so they set perfectly without losing any of that tender texture.
Step 7: Create and Apply the Festive Glaze
Mix the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, salt, and milk until you get a thick but spreadable glaze. Adjust milk quantity if needed to find the perfect consistency for frosting. Spread the glaze over cooled cookies and top with Christmas sprinkles for a festive, colorful finish that will cheer up any holiday table.
How to Serve Chocolate Christmas Cookies with Festive Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
The sprinkles are more than just decoration; they bring a fun crunch and festive colors that make these cookies irresistible. Feel free to experiment with edible glitter or crushed peppermint for a refreshing twist on the classic look.
Side Dishes
Serve these Chocolate Christmas Cookies with a rich cup of hot cocoa or a warm mug of spiced coffee to create a cozy, comforting snack. They also pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk for a classic treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your cookies with parchment paper between layers in a pretty holiday tin to gift, or arrange them neatly on a rustic wooden board paired with candles and pine cones for a festive centerpiece that guests will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and flavorful for up to five days, making them perfect to enjoy throughout the week after baking.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can stay frozen for up to three months, giving you a quick holiday treat whenever you want.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature. If you want to bring back some fresh-out-of-the-oven warmth, pop them in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes—just enough to soften without melting the glaze.
FAQs
Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?
Butter really is key for flavor and texture in this recipe. Margarine may alter both taste and texture, and oil could make the cookies too soft. For best results, stick with softened butter.
What can I use if I don’t have vanilla bean paste?
Vanilla extract works perfectly as a substitute. The paste adds little flecks for visual appeal, but the extract still offers that warm vanilla aroma and flavor your cookies need.
Is it okay to roll the dough thinner or thicker?
You can experiment! Thinner dough will yield crisper cookies while thicker dough makes them softer and chewier. Just adjust baking time accordingly to avoid overbaking.
Can I use regular flour instead of cake or pastry flour?
Yes, all-purpose flour is just right for this recipe and helps keep the cookie texture balanced between tender and chewy, which is exactly what you want for Chocolate Christmas Cookies with Festive Glaze Recipe.
How do I avoid melting the glaze when storing cookies?
Store glazed cookies in a single layer, preferably chilled, and avoid stacking immediately after glazing. This prevents smudging and melting, keeping your cookies looking as festive as when you first frosted them.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about baking these Chocolate Christmas Cookies with Festive Glaze Recipe that brings the spirit of the holidays right into your home. From the luscious chocolatey dough to that perfect festive glaze, this recipe is sure to become a beloved tradition. Trust me, once you try these cookies, they will be on your holiday baking list every year. So grab your apron, get your cocoa powder ready, and let the joyful baking begin!
Print
Chocolate Christmas Cookies with Festive Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in the festive spirit with these rich and fudgy Chocolate Christmas Cookies, perfect for holiday celebrations. Made with cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor and topped with a sweet, creamy glaze and colorful Christmas sprinkles, these cookies are both visually festive and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder + extra for rolling out
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2–3 teaspoons milk
- Christmas sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set this aside for when the dough is ready.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla bean paste or extract, then beat again until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix to the butter mixture in three parts, mixing well after each addition until a smooth dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, shaping it into a circle to facilitate rolling. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Roll and Cut Shapes: When ready, dust a clean countertop with cocoa powder (this enhances flavor). Roll the dough out to about half an inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut your desired shapes and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Freeze the cookies on the sheet for 10 minutes to firm up the dough before baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Once baked, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely until they are no longer warm.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: To make the glaze, combine powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and milk (start with 2 teaspoons and add more if needed) and mix until you get a thick, spreadable consistency. Frost the cooled cookies with the glaze and decorate with Christmas sprinkles for a festive finish.
Notes
- Using cocoa powder to dust the surface instead of flour intensifies the chocolate flavor.
- Chilling the dough before rolling helps prevent spreading during baking and makes it easier to cut shapes.
- Freezing the shaped cookies before baking helps maintain their shape in the oven.
- The glaze is thick and rich; adjust milk quantity slightly if you want a thinner consistency.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
