Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipe for the Holidays

In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Whisk them together to ensure they are well mixed and free of lumps. Set this mixture aside for later use.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

This process usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl for even mixing.

Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the bowl. Beat the mixture until smooth.

This will create a creamy base for your cookie dough. Make sure everything is thoroughly incorporated.

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon just until the flour is incorporated. Avoid overmixing.

If you are using any optional add-ins like chocolate chips or chopped nuts, now is the time to fold them in gently.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.

In the meantime, you can preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

After chilling the dough, use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the dough and shape it into balls.

Place the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them to allow for spreading.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once fully cooled, you can enjoy your delicious Christmas cookies!

These are perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season.