Description
Delightfully spiced Thanksgiving Cookies featuring warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with optional nuts and chocolate chips. These festive cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, easy to bake, and can be beautifully decorated with icing or sprinkles.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 cup white or dark chocolate chips
Decoration
- Festive sprinkles or icing for decorating (optional)
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is fluffy and well combined. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves to ensure even distribution of the spices and leavening agents.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Fold in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a lid and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes. This helps the dough firm up, making it easier to shape and helping the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop or roll portions of the dough onto the sheet, spacing them appropriately. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown while the centers remain soft.
- Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, decorate them with festive sprinkles or icing as desired, or enjoy them plain for a simple, rustic feel.
Notes
- For a nut-free option, omit the nuts or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Chilling the dough is important to prevent spreading and maintain a thicker cookie texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Feel free to use only chocolate chips or only nuts depending on preference or dietary restrictions.
- Decorations are optional and can be customized for different holidays or occasions.
