Next to glitzed-up cutout cookies and ultra-convenient slice-and-bakes, drop cookies are sometimes the forgotten sibling of holiday baking. But their simplicity belies how versatile they are: They can be compact and chewy or thin and crisp. They can be dusted in powdered sugar, sandwiched with a creamy filling, or topped with jam. In short, they can be anything you want them to be.
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RecipeBittersweet Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprints
These two-bite cookies pack just the right amount of chocolaty richness and minty freshness to cure whatever ails you. With their natural cocoa powder, buttery bittersweet chocolate, and a dash of crunchy peppermint candy, they are the perfect triple-threat treat to satisfy a chocolate-loving crowd.
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RecipeVanilla Drop Cookies
These tender little cookies are the easiest route to holiday cookie success because they require no rolling, chilling, or cutting. For an elegant look, dip the tops of the unbaked dough balls in coarse sanding sugar or chopped toasted nuts. To gild the lily even further, drizzle or dip them in Basic Glaze or Royal Icing and add dragées or sprinkles. You can easily double this recipe. New! Use the HolidayCookie Recipe Maker to customize your Christmas cookies with your favorite flavors, icings, and decorative toppings.
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RecipePeanut Butter & Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
These soft, flourless cookies house a bittersweet filling, for a taste combination that appeals to the kid in all of us.
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RecipeJumbo Cranberry Oatmeal Jumbles
If you’re not a fan of white chocolate, you can omit it from this recipe and double the amount of dried cranberries instead.
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RecipeCannoli Cookies
Like the Italian pastry, these cakey cookies are enriched with whole-milk ricotta and scented with grated orange zest.
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RecipeLime-Nut Mexican Wedding Cookies
Lime zest, chopped pecans and sweet coconut add a little zing to the traditional buttery, crumbly Mexican wedding cookies.
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RecipeChocolate Soufflé Cookies
Chocolatey and moist with a light, crisp exterior, this gluten-free cookie is an excellent showcase for high-quality chocolate.
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RecipeMacadamia Lace Cookies
The combination of rich macadamia nuts and browned butter gives these pretty, delicate cookies an intense flavor. I like to use vanilla bean paste (a combination of vanilla extract and vanilla seeds), but vanilla extract works well, too.
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RecipeChocolate Chunk Cookies with Dried Cherries & Pecans
Tart cherries and toasted nuts not only add flavor but also wonderful contrasting texture to this double chocolate-chip cookie.
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RecipePecan Thumbprint Jam Cookies
These raspberry jam-filled thumbprints are easy to love: They call for a few simple ingredients you’ve likely got on hand, they’re super-easy to make, they’re sweet and nutty, and they’re gorgeous on a cookie platter.
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RecipeDark Chocolate Crackles
