The spiced Christmas cookies are delicious cookies that are quick to prepare and perfect as a Christmas gift idea. In short, they are just a variation of soft orange cookies and soft coffee cookies, my favorites. A delicious treat with a spiced flavor, reminiscent of gingerbread cookies.
Making these cookies is very simple and the ingredients are all easily available. Their unique and unmistakable orange flavor, thanks to the zest in the dough, gives these cookies a citrusy taste. Obviously, the presence of this citrus fruit inevitably calls for cocoa: a perfect combination. Now you might be wondering why I called them spiced. In the dough, I added some spices that are usually used to make gingerbread cookies: cinnamon and ginger. Of course, if you like, you can also add nutmeg or replace it with other spices. In short, a very simple and quick recipe to prepare and customizable to your taste. If packaged in transparent bags, these cookies can become a highly appreciated gift for Christmas. What do you say, shall we prepare them together? Then follow me in the kitchen, because the Christmas cookies will be ready in a click!
If you are interested in other cookie recipes to gift, also read:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 24 cookies
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter
- Energy 74.81 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 11.47 (g) of which sugars 3.96 (g)
- Proteins 1.55 (g)
- Fat 3.08 (g) of which saturated 1.92 (g)of which unsaturated 1.10 (g)
- Fibers 0.79 (g)
- Sodium 3.61 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 1 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 5 1/2 tbsp butter (softened)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- orange zest (to taste)
- powdered sugar (for the surface)
Tools
- Mixing Bowl
- Plate
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
Steps
First, work the softened butter very well with the sugar to obtain a cream. Then add the egg and continue to mix with a spoon until it is well incorporated.
Then add the flour, cocoa, cinnamon, ground ginger, baking powder, and untreated orange zest. Continue to mix first with the spoon and then when the dough starts to come together, knead with your hands until you obtain a smooth, homogeneous dough.
Take some dough with your hands and form balls the size of a walnut. Next, place the powdered sugar on a plate and roll the previously formed cookies in it. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and gently pinch them on the surface with your hands.
Bake the cookies in a convection oven at 340°F for 10 minutes. Obviously, the cooking time is indicative, as it depends on the type of oven you have. Once the cooking time has elapsed, take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool down.
Variations and Tips
The spiced Christmas cookies can be stored for 4 or 5 days in a cool, dry place. They can also be packaged in a tin box or transparent bags to be gifted at Christmas to friends and family.
In addition to cinnamon and ground ginger, you can also add nutmeg.
