Winter Cookie Recipes for the Ones You Love

More time at home (socially distant)  means more nights of hot cocoa and movies, more time DIYing holiday decorations, and more time baking sweet seasonal treats. Need a little baking inspo? Try one of these recipes!

Hot Chocolate Cookies

From Taste of Home

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup instant hot cocoa mix
• 3 TBS baking cocoa
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup vanilla marshmallow bits
• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 375°. Lightly grease baking sheets. Beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients except marshmallow bits and chocolate chips. 
• Gradually add the dry mixture into the creamed butter and sugar until combined. Fold in marshmallow bits and chocolate chips.
• Drop tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until set. Place on wire racks to cool.
• Recipe prepares 5 dozen cookies. 

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

From Sally’s Baking Addiction

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup white chocolate chips
• ¾ cup dried cranberries, or craisins

Directions:

• In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy and light. Beat in the egg and vanilla. In a different bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. 
• Gradually add the dry mixture into the butter mixture until just combined. Fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours or up to 2 days.
• When ready to bake, remove dough from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. If chilled for more than 2 hours, let the dough sit for 30 minutes. 
• Preheat the oven to 350° and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball. Place cookies on the baking sheet, about 10 - 12 per sheet. Bake for 10 - 11 minutes, until the edges are barely golden brown. Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.