Website design By BotEap.comThere are so many Christmas cookie recipes, but there is often very little time to bake during the busy holiday season.

Website design By BotEap.comThe solution? A great-tasting basic cookie recipe that quickly and easily turns into a variety of easy-to-make holiday treats, friends and family will think you poured in all their favorite holiday cookie recipes.

Website design By BotEap.comLet’s start with the basics.

Website design By BotEap.comBasic Cookie Dough Recipe

Website design By BotEap.com1/2 cup (or 1 stick) butter (or margarine) at room temperature

Website design By BotEap.com1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed

Website design By BotEap.com2 tablespoons of sugar

Website design By BotEap.com1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

Website design By BotEap.com1 large egg

Website design By BotEap.com1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Website design By BotEap.com1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Website design By BotEap.comIn a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the flour. Beat with an electric mixer, scraping down the sides of the bowl several times, until the mixture is light and fluffy. With a mixer on low speed, add the flour a little at a time, beating just until everything is well blended.

Website design By BotEap.comScoop the mixture onto a baking sheet with a measuring tablespoon and press down with a spoon to flatten slightly. Or roll and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake at 350ºF for about 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown.

Website design By BotEap.comThis basic cookie mix is ​​also the base for the following cookie recipes (all baked in a preheated 350ºF oven).

Website design By BotEap.comOrange Cookies

Website design By BotEap.com(about 32 ago)

Website design By BotEap.comAdd 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the recipe. Shape into a log about 1 1/2″ in diameter and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Website design By BotEap.comSlice dough into 1/4″-thick slices. Place on cookie sheet. Cookies can be decorated with candies, coated in colored sugar, or cut into pretty festive shapes before baking. Bake in preheated oven for 12 15 minutes, until lightly golden.

Website design By BotEap.comChocolate squares with cherry and coconut

Website design By BotEap.com(Makes about 54 squares)

Website design By BotEap.comIn addition to the basic dough you will need:

Website design By BotEap.com1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Website design By BotEap.com3 large eggs

Website design By BotEap.com1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

Website design By BotEap.com1 teaspoon almond extract

Website design By BotEap.com1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

Website design By BotEap.com3 cups of shredded coconut

Website design By BotEap.com1/2 cup maraschino cherries, well drained and coarsely chopped

Website design By BotEap.comLine a 13″x9″ baking pan with aluminum foil.

Website design By BotEap.comStir the cocoa powder into the basic batter mix. Press evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust looks dry.

Website design By BotEap.comIn a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, almond extract, and baking powder until well blended. Add the coconut and cherries. For over the baked dough.

Website design By BotEap.comBake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is just beginning to brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Lift onto a cutting board using the foil ends and cut into 1 1/2″ squares. Squares can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Website design By BotEap.comPineapple and Coconut Cookies

Website design By BotEap.com(about 36 ago)

Website design By BotEap.comIn addition to the basic dough you will need:

Website design By BotEap.com1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Website design By BotEap.com1/3 cup pineapple jam (use raspberry or apricot if you prefer)

Website design By BotEap.comAdd 1 cup of flaked coconut to the basic batter mixture and mix well. Shape dough into 1 1/2″ balls and roll in remaining coconut to coat. Place balls 1″ apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Make a deep indentation in the center of each cookie with the tip of your finger.

Website design By BotEap.comBake for 12-15 minutes until the cookie is set and the coconut is lightly toasted. When cool, fill each hole in the center of the cookies with the preserves.

Website design By BotEap.comYou can vary this basic dough to make a wide variety of Christmas cookie recipes. Add other flavorings like maple, ginger, or cinnamon. Add chopped dried fruits like apricots or dates. Or bake them in festive shapes and decorate them with colored icing.

Website design By BotEap.comChristmas is a wonderful time of the year. We hope these quick and easy Christmas cookie recipes help keep the pressure off the cook.