This quick and easy one Santa cookie recipe is a delight for the holiday season. It's a simple, yet flavorful cookie recipe that even beginners would find easy to make. The cookie has a soft and chewy texture, filled with colorful M&Ms, making it a treat for both the eyes and taste buds. This is definitely a recipe you would want to include in your holiday baking list.
The ingredients required for this recipe are commonly found in most households. However, you might need to specifically look for Christmas jimmies, which are sprinkles used for decoration, and red and green M&Ms to give the cookie a festive touch. These are typically available in the bakery aisle of your local supermarket or can be ordered online.
Ingredients Required for Quick and Easy One Santa Cookie
Salted butter: Gives the cookie a rich, buttery taste. Light-brown sugar: Adds a hint of molasses flavor and keeps the cookie moist. Salt: Balances the sweetness of the cookie. Egg: Acts as a binding agent and provides structure. Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookie. All-purpose flour: The base ingredient for making the cookie dough. Baking soda: Helps the cookie rise and spread. M&Ms: Adds color and a chocolatey crunch. Christmas jimmies: Used for decoration, adding a festive touch.
One reader, Athene Persaud says:
These Santa cookies are a game-changer! They're so easy to make and taste absolutely delicious. The festive M&M's and Christmas jimmies add a fun touch. I love how quick and simple this recipe is, and the cookies turn out perfect every time. It's a must-try for the holiday season!
Techniques Required for Making One Santa Cookie
How to preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. This allows the oven to reach the desired temperature before baking the cookies.
How to shape the dough: Shape the cookie dough into a disk about 3 ½ inches on a prepared baking sheet. This helps the cookies to bake evenly and maintain a uniform shape.
How to serve the cookies: Serve the cookies warm or allow them to cool on a wire rack, then store them in an airtight container. Serving the cookies warm enhances their flavor, while storing them in an airtight container helps maintain their freshness.
How To Make One Santa Cookie
Take a bite whether you’re naughty or nice because this appetizing cookie recipe is a cookie Santa will also want to take a bite at.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2tbspsalted butter
- 3tbsppacked light-brown sugar
- 1pinchsalt
- 1tbspeggbeaten
- ¼tspvanilla extract
- ⅓cupall-purpose flour
- ⅛tspbaking soda
- ¼cupred and green M&Ms
- 1/2tspChristmas jimmies(optional)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet (half or quarter sheet) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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Place butter in a microwave safe mixing bowl.
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Heat in microwave until about ⅔ of the way melted (it should take roughly 20 seconds), remove and stir to melt fully.
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To melted butter, add brown sugar, salt, 1 tbsp from the beaten egg, vanilla, flour and baking soda. Stir with a spoon or rubber spatula until well combined.
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Mix in about 3/4 of the M&M’s. Shape dough into a disk about 3 ½-inches on a prepared baking sheet.
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Sprinkle remaining ¼ of the M&M’s over top along with sprinkles if using. Bake in preheated oven 11 to 14 minutes, until edges are just golden brown (cookie should appear slightly under-baked in center).
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Serve warm or allow to cool on a wire rack then store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Calories: 1681.50kcal
- Fat: 57.42g
- Saturated Fat: 34.93g
- Trans Fat: 0.82g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 14.15g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.01g
- Carbohydrates: 264.29g
- Fiber: 9.20g
- Sugar: 153.37g
- Protein: 23.02g
- Cholesterol: 87.90mg
- Sodium: 1496.18mg
- Calcium: 262.39mg
- Potassium: 724.16mg
- Iron: 8.40mg
- Vitamin A: 225.76µg
- Vitamin C: 1.04mg
Helpful Technique for Making Quick and Easy One Santa Cookie Recipe
To ensure your Santa cookie has a soft and chewy texture, avoid overbaking it. The cookie should still appear slightly under-baked in the center when you take it out of the oven. As it cools on the baking sheet, it will continue to bake from the residual heat, resulting in a perfectly soft and chewy cookie.
Time-Saving Tips for Quick and Easy One Santa Cookie Recipe
Prep ahead: Prepare ingredients and measure them out in advance to streamline the cooking process.
One-pot wonders: Opt for recipes that require minimal dishes and cook everything in one pot for easy cleanup.
Efficient chopping: Master knife skills to chop ingredients quickly and uniformly, saving time during prep.
Batch cooking: Cook large quantities of food and freeze individual portions for quick and easy meals later.
Use kitchen gadgets: Utilize time-saving tools like food processors, blenders, and slow cookers to simplify cooking tasks.
Plan meals: Create a weekly meal plan to streamline grocery shopping and ensure efficient use of ingredients.
Prep and store: Wash, chop, and store fruits and vegetables as soon as you bring them home to save time during meal prep.
Multitask: Maximize efficiency by multitasking - for example, while something is baking, prepare the next dish.
Follow the recipe: Read through the entire recipe before starting to ensure you have all the ingredients and understand the steps.
Substitute Ingredients For Quick and Easy One Santa Cookie Recipe
salted butter - Substitute with unsalted butter: If you use unsalted butter, you can control the amount of salt in the recipe more precisely.
packed light-brown sugar - Substitute with granulated sugar and molasses: You can make your own brown sugar by combining granulated sugar and molasses. For each cup of packed brown sugar, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour can be used as a healthier alternative, adding a nutty flavor and more fiber to the cookie.
egg - Substitute with applesauce: Applesauce can be used as a binding agent in place of eggs, making the cookies moist and chewy.
baking soda - Substitute with baking powder: If you don't have baking soda, you can use baking powder as a substitute, though you may need to adjust the quantity.
red and green M&Ms - Substitute with chocolate chips: If you don't have M&Ms, chocolate chips can be used as a colorful and delicious alternative.
christmas jimmies - Substitute with festive sprinkles: If you don't have Christmas jimmies, you can use festive sprinkles to add a pop of color and holiday cheer to the cookies.
Presentation Ideas for One Santa Cookie
Elevate the cookie with a festive plating: Arrange the Santa cookies on a pristine white plate, garnished with a dusting of powdered sugar resembling snow. Place a sprig of fresh mint or a small candy cane on the side for a pop of color and added holiday charm.
Incorporate a touch of elegance with a decorative sauce: Drizzle a delicate pattern of chocolate sauce on the plate, creating an artistic design that complements the festive nature of the Santa cookies. This adds a sophisticated touch and enhances the overall visual appeal.
Present with a side of gourmet ice cream: Serve the Santa cookies alongside a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream. Garnish the ice cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a few candied pecans for a luxurious and indulgent accompaniment.
Create a whimsical display with edible garnishes: Arrange the Santa cookies on a bed of edible gold leaf for a touch of opulence. Add a few raspberries and mint leaves around the cookies to introduce vibrant colors and a fresh, natural element to the presentation.
Incorporate a touch of nostalgia with vintage plating: Serve the Santa cookies on a vintage china plate or a silver platter to evoke a sense of nostalgia and tradition. This classic presentation adds a timeless elegance to the dish.
Essential Tools for Making Quick and Easy One Santa Cookie Recipe
- Oven: An essential appliance for baking and cooking, it provides the necessary heat for preparing a wide range of dishes.
- Baking sheet: A flat, metal pan used for baking cookies, pastries, and other baked goods in the oven.
- Parchment paper: A non-stick paper used for lining baking sheets and pans to prevent food from sticking.
- Silicone baking mat: A reusable non-stick baking surface that can be placed on baking sheets for easy removal of baked goods.
- Microwave safe mixing bowl: A bowl designed to withstand the heat generated by a microwave for safe and convenient food preparation.
- Spoon or rubber spatula: Utensils used for mixing and stirring ingredients in a bowl or on a cooking surface.
- Wire rack: A metal rack used for cooling baked goods and allowing air to circulate around the food for even cooling.
- Airtight container: A container designed to seal tightly, preserving the freshness of baked goods and other perishable foods.
Storing and Freezing Tips for One Santa Cookie
- Allow the cookie to cool completely on a wire rack before storing.
- Store the cooled cookie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To keep the cookie soft and chewy, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookie. The bread will help maintain the cookie's moisture.
- For longer storage, wrap the cooled cookie tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Freeze the wrapped cookie for up to 2 months.
- To thaw, remove the cookie from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour, or until it reaches your desired texture.
- If you prefer a warm, freshly baked taste, you can reheat the thawed cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes.
How To Reheat Leftover Santa Cookies
To reheat a leftover santa cookie, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cookie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cookie is warmed through and the chocolate is slightly melted. This method will help restore the cookie's crispy edges and soft, chewy center.
For a quicker option, you can use the microwave. Place the santa cookie on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in 10-second intervals until it reaches your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat the cookie, as it may become too soft or rubbery.
If you want to enjoy a warm, gooey santa cookie without the wait, try using a toaster oven. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the cookie directly on the rack. Heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the cookie is warmed to your liking. This method is perfect for achieving a crispy exterior and a soft, melted interior.
For a unique twist, try crumbling the leftover santa cookie over a bowl of vanilla ice cream. The combination of the warm, gooey cookie and the cool, creamy ice cream creates a delightful contrast of textures and temperatures. You can even add a drizzle of chocolate sauce or a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra burst of flavor.
Interesting Fact About One Santa Cookie Recipe
The Santa cookie recipe is a fun and festive treat to make during the holiday season. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy some delicious homemade cookies. Plus, it's a simple recipe that can be made in just a few easy steps, making it perfect for busy schedules during the holidays.
Is Making One Santa Cookie Recipe at Home Cost-Effective?
The santa cookie recipe is relatively cost-effective for a household. The ingredients are commonly found in most kitchens, and the quantities required are minimal. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $5-$7. The recipe offers a fun and festive treat that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. The overall verdict rating for this recipe would be 8/10, considering its simplicity, quick preparation, and delightful outcome.
Is This Santa Cookie Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
This recipe for a single-serving Santa cookie is not particularly healthy. Here's why:
- The cookie is high in sugar, with 3 tablespoons of brown sugar for just one serving. Excessive sugar consumption can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, and increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
- The recipe uses all-purpose flour, which is refined and lacks the nutrients and fiber found in whole grain flours.
- Butter is the primary fat source, which is high in saturated fat. While some saturated fat is okay in moderation, excessive intake can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.
- The cookie is decorated with M&Ms and sprinkles, which are essentially just added sugar and artificial colors.
To make this recipe healthier, try the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of brown sugar to 1-2 tablespoons, or replace some of the sugar with a natural sweetener like mashed ripe banana or unsweetened applesauce.
- Use whole wheat pastry flour or oat flour instead of all-purpose flour to increase the fiber and nutrient content.
- Replace half the butter with Greek yogurt or mashed avocado to reduce the saturated fat content while maintaining moisture.
- Decorate the cookie with healthier options like dried fruit (e.g., cranberries or raisins), chopped nuts, or a drizzle of dark chocolate (which contains antioxidants).
- Serve the cookie with fresh fruit to add vitamins, minerals, and fiber to the treat.
Editor's Opinion on This One Santa Cookie Recipe
The recipe for the quick and easy one Santa cookie is a delightful and festive treat for the holiday season. The combination of butter, brown sugar, and M&M's creates a rich and indulgent flavor, while the Christmas jimmies add a fun and colorful touch. The simple instructions make it accessible for bakers of all skill levels, and the end result is a perfectly chewy and delicious cookie that is sure to bring joy to anyone who tries it. This recipe is a wonderful addition to any holiday baking repertoire.
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Why trust this Quick and Easy One Santa Cookie Recipe:
This recipe is a delightful treat for the festive season, featuring a perfect balance of butter and brown sugar for rich flavor. The addition of M&Ms and Christmas jimmies adds a fun and colorful touch, making it a hit with both kids and adults. The careful instructions ensure a golden-brown, slightly under-baked center for a soft and chewy texture. Trust in the simplicity and deliciousness of this recipe, and it will surely become a favorite for your holiday gatherings.
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