Nothing says the holidays quite like the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked cookies. These Holiday Spice Cookies are a delightful blend of classic spices that embody the festive spirit. Perfect for sharing or gifting, they're a holiday must-bake!
Flour is the base, providing structure to the cookies. Baking soda helps them rise just enough to be soft but not too puffy. A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates that signature holiday spice flavor. Butter, when softened, melds everything together smoothly, while sugar adds sweetness and helps with the cookies' crispy edges. The egg binds the ingredients together, and vanilla extract adds a touch of aromatic sweetness. Finally, molasses gives these cookies their rich color and deep, warm flavor.
These cookies are perfect with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot spiced tea. For a festive touch, serve them alongside a bowl of vanilla ice cream or with a cheese platter for a sweet and savory experience.
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies don't stick and makes for easy cleanup. Now, grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This step helps distribute the spices evenly throughout the cookies.
In a separate, larger bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy. This is key to creating a tender cookie. Then, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and molasses until everything is well combined. The molasses might look a little unruly at first, but it will blend in nicely with some perseverance.
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. I find it's best to do this in batches to avoid a flour storm in your kitchen! Mix until a dough forms. It's normal for the dough to be a bit sticky; that's what gives the cookies their softness.
Now, the fun part — rolling the dough into 1-inch balls. Once rolled, coat each ball in additional sugar. Not only does this add a little sparkle, but it also gives the cookies a delightful crunch on the outside. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Bake them in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. You'll know they're done when they are set and lightly golden around the edges. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up without becoming too hard.
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