When it comes to baking the most delicious holiday cookies, one ingredient stands above the rest – real dairy butter. There’s no denying that butter is the secret to achieving that perfect texture, flavor and aroma in your holiday treats.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why using real butter is the best choice for baking holiday cookies. We’ll end with a mouthwatering buttery holiday cookie recipe that will delight your friends and family and be the first cookie to disappear from the cookie plate!
The Magic of Real Butter for the Holidays
Butter, with its rich and creamy texture, has been a staple in holiday baking for generations, and for good reason. It brings a world of benefits to your holiday cookie recipes that margarine or shortening simply can’t match.
Flavor Matters
The first thing that sets butter apart is its unrivaled flavor. Butter gives an unmistakable richness to your holiday cookies and adds an extra layer of warmth and nostalgia in each bite. Its sweet and slightly nutty taste enhances the overall holiday cookie experience, making them utterly irresistible and perfect for sharing during the festive season.
Texture That Melts Hearts
Real butter is your ticket to achieving the perfect holiday cookie texture. Its high fat content ensures a soft and tender interior while creating a delightful, golden-brown crust on the outside. Butter’s moisture content is also key to producing holiday cookies with a lovely chewiness that everyone craves, making them the ultimate treat for this time of year.
Aroma Therapy
The aroma of holiday cookies baking with butter is truly magical. It fills your kitchen with a warm and inviting fragrance that captures the essence of the holiday season. The scent of buttery holiday cookies is nostalgic and comforting, making every bite even more enjoyable and reminiscent of cherished holiday memories.
Better Browning for Festive Appeal
Butter’s ability to brown evenly and beautifully is a baker’s dream come true, especially during the holidays. Your holiday cookies will boast a picture-perfect appearance that’s almost too beautiful to eat – but we promise, you won’t be able to resist!
The Power of Versatility
Butter is versatile in the kitchen, making it ideal for various types of holiday cookies. Whether you’re making classic gingerbread men, delicate snowball cookies, or spicy cinnamon snickerdoodles, butter effortlessly adapts to your holiday cookie recipes, resulting in consistently fantastic treats that will become a beloved tradition.
When it comes to creating the BEST holiday cookies, there’s no substitute for real butter. Its unparalleled flavor, texture-enhancing properties, enticing aroma and versatility make it the top choice for bakers during the holiday season. As you gather with loved ones and share the joy of the holidays, reach for the butter and prepare to delight your taste buds and create cherished memories. Happy holiday baking!
Butterlicious Recipe: Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Now that you know why butter is the superstar of holiday cookie baking, let’s put that knowledge to good use with a festive recipe – Peppermint Snowball Cookies from our friends at Go Bold with Butter.
Ingredients
2 cups butter, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped almonds
4 large peppermint candy canes
8 oz. white candy coating or almond bark, melted
Instructions
In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add in the flour and salt until well-combined.
Add the finely chopped almonds and mix until well-dispersed.
Cover and refrigerate until dough is firm, at least one hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line at least two baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
Portion the dough into walnut-sized mounds using a cookie scoop or tablespoon and place on the baking sheets spaced 2 inches apart.
Bake until lightly browned on the bottom edges, about 18-20 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets at least 5 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Coarsely chop the candy canes by hand or in a food processor.
Spread the candy evenly in a shallow bowl or dish.
Dip the top of each cookie in melted candy coating, and allow excess to drip off. Immediately sprinkle the dipped cookies with the crushed peppermint.
Let cookies stand until candy coating is set, about 10 minutes. Store cookies in an air-tight container.