Christmas Butter Cookies

by Detra Denay Davis
(Cary, North Carolina, USA)

Christmas Butter Cookies

These rich Christmas butter cookies are a delicious twist on classic chocolate chip cookies. Made with buttery dough, almond extract, and miniature chocolate morsels, they bake into delicate holiday cookies perfect for cookie trays, gifts, and family baking traditions.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 1/4 cups miniature chocolate morsels

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy, about 12 to 15 minutes. Add the egg yolks and almond extract and beat well. In a separate bowl, stir together the cake flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until combined. Fold in the miniature chocolate morsels. The dough will be soft. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Remove dough from the refrigerator and roll out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch round cookie or biscuit cutters. Place cookies onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Cool before serving.

Yield: About 3 to 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Kid Cooking Tip

Kids can help cut out cookie shapes, add chocolate morsels, and transfer cookies onto baking sheets.

Variation Ideas

Try adding holiday sprinkles, chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or dipping the cooled cookies in melted chocolate.

Serving Ideas

Serve on holiday cookie trays, package as gifts, or enjoy with hot cocoa and milk.

Holiday Baking Idea: These buttery cookies are perfect for holiday baking days because the dough rolls out easily and can be cut into festive shapes.