Here Comes Santa Claus: Easy Santa Claus Cookies

Hello, Kathleen Raskin of Las Vegas here today bringing you new recipes for everyone’s favorite treat—cookies! As you know, we love cookies here at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen! I love putting up the decorations with his color scheme, and his style embodies Christmas to me. He’s the jolly, inescapable iconic symbol of the holiday. You can’t think of the holidays without imagining Santa on his sleigh making his way towards your home, singing songs like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and watching the overabundance of Christmas movies that are being played on a loop in the days leading up to Christmas. I’m going to share a few of my favorite Santa cookie recipes with you. Post your Santa cookie recipes, or tips and tricks in the comments below. I know my Kathey Jo’s Kitchen audience will appreciate it!

 

Easy Santa Cookies

Prep time:  1 hour, 10 minutes

Total: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Servings: 18

Ingredients

  • 1/2cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons vanilla ready-to-spread frosting
  • 3 tablespoons red sugar
  • 18 miniature marshmallows
  • 36 currants or semisweet chocolate chips
  • 18 red cinnamon candies
  • ¾ cup shredded coconut

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 400°F. Beat butter, granulated sugar and lemon peel in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in egg and milk. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  2. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 3 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Press bottom of drinking glass on each until about 1/4 inch and 3 inches in diameter.
  3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
  4. Spread frosting on cookie, and decorate each cookie before starting another. Sprinkle red sugar over top third of cookie for hat. Press on miniature marshmallow for tassel. Press 2 currants for eyes and 1 cinnamon candy for nose into center third of cookie. Sprinkle coconut over bottom third for beard.

Santa’s Favorite Cookies

Prep time: 15 minutes, plus chill time

Total Time: 25 minutes, plus chill time

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant pudding mix, your favorite flavor
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sprinkles
  • 3/4 cup M&Ms

Directions

  1. Cream butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a hand mixer. Mix in egg and vanilla until smooth. Add pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Mix until combined. Mix in flour, then stir in sprinkles and M&Ms.
  2. Scoop 2 tablespoon balls of cookie dough onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment or a baking mat. Cover and chill for 30 minutes minimum.
  3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or baking mats. Place chilled cookie dough balls 2” apart on cookie sheet.
  4. Bake 9-11 minutes or until the edges just start to turn brown. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to one month.