Right now, nothing excites me more than writing (and editing photos for) this post about this easy but effective cookie box for Christmas.
It's definitely the post I've been waiting to share since last year. Meaning I started thinking about it in 2018, when I saw this photo by one of my favorite food photographers, Bea Lubas. And if you're wondering "Is it inspired by Bea's box?"...oh, definitely!
The NO-STRESS cookie box for Christmas
The LAST thing you need during this time of the year is adding more stress. I have to be honest though: Christmas, to me, has never been stressful.
Maybe because I've never felt the pressure to make gifts at all costs (I'm probably surrounded by understanding people?), maybe because Christmas to me only means family and laughter.
Many people instead feel stressed.
Anyway, back to the no-stress cookie box for this Christmas.
Why I called this "NO-STRESS", you saying?
Easy: I created this box full of baked goods with only ONE dough. So, all these cookies use the same recipe as a "base". Then I've simply changed shape and flavors. And...
Magic: you'll obtain the best and easiest box!
I'm sure you will find this genius (ok, self-praise?)
Start with the easiest: Christmas cookies with basic icing
As I mentioned above, all these cookies have the same dough in common. It was inspired by mom's strawberry pie recipe that I posted last May. I simply left baking powder and vanilla out to prevent the shape to ruin itself.
Do you consider yourself a beginner? Want to prepare some easy Christmas cookies? I mean, simple but cute?
Well, this first recipe is for you (and for everyone actually).
Just shape them using cute cookie cutters (I bought mine on Etsy, this is the shop - not an affiliate), combine water + icing sugar, decorate and you're done!
If you have extra time, try royal icing (with egg whites).
Please any crowd with these raspberry thumbprint cookies
Who doesn't love raspberries? I could eat TONS of them. Same goes for raspberry jam.
That's why I included these raspberry thumbprint cookies in the box. They remind me of jam cookies my mom used to make when I was younger. Or those I used to find in store-bought metal boxes.
At first, my idea was to make linzer cookies, but I didn't have the right cutters.
Anyway, these are a crowd-pleaser believe me! (Mom loved them;))
Peppermint cookies for Christmas? Just perfection.
Seriously: if "perfection" was a cookie, it would be a choco-peppermint one. These are my absolute favorite from this box.
The dough? Told ya: it's the same! I only added unsweetened cocoa powder and peppermint extract (I've used the one by Nielsen-Massey).
Pay attention not to add too much extract though, otherwise the consistency will change.
The cherry on top? Melted choc and pieces of mint candy cane. Delish!
The "fancy": orange curd cookies.
Wish a Joyeux Noël with these fancy orange curd cookies!
Curd recipe is by my friend Laura by Tutti-Dolci. I made it for the first time in March/April, and I loooooved it (I made Linzer Cookies back then)
If you want to surprise your family and friends I definitely recommend these.
Remember though, since they're filled with curd, they won't last as long as the other ones.
Last but not least: how to box cookies for Christmas
Do you think I made all these cookies just to create a blog post? Well, yes, kinda. I mean, I didn't ship them.
BUT...
I love creating homemade gifts for friends and family and cookies are the perfect present also to send via postage.
So, here's how to box cookies for Christmas if you also want to send them: (this is what I personally do)
- Make them cool completely then gently wrap them up with parchment paper;
- Wrap them using cute cellophane bags (I use something like these);
- Choose a cute paper box and line it with bubble wrap so the cookies won't move during shipping;
- Put the cookies inside and seal it;
- Lastly, put your box into another cardboard box, lined with other bubble wrap to protect the cookies even more;
- Seal the box with tape and tape and tape.
Don't forget to write FRAGILE on top! (Couriers are careless sometimes)
Don't forget to tell me if you ship them!;) Did you make people happy?
If you make this recipe, please be sure to give it a rating and leave a comment! It would make me so happy! 🙂
Remember: if you try one of my recipes, tag me on Instagram or DM me the photos!
Don’t forget to pin and share this easy and delicious recipe!
COOKIE BOX FOR CHRISTMAS / EASY SUGAR COOKIES
Equipment
- Cookie box
- Cookie cutters
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 250 gr Organic all purpose flour
- 100 gr Powdered sugar
- 140 gr High quality unsalted butter
- 2 Egg yolks
- 2 gr Salt
For the thumbprint cookies:
- Raspberry jam
For the peppermint cookies:
- ¼ teaspoon (or half) Peppermint extract
- 5-7 gr Unsweetened cocoa powder
- White chocolate & Peppermint candy cane to decorate
For the orange curd cookies:
- 1 and ½ teaspoon Orange zest
- 3 tablespoons Fresh Orange juice
- 30 gr Light brown sugar
- a pinch Salt
- 1 Egg, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Other:
- Icing sugar
- Water
Instructions
For the dough:
- Add flour, sugar, butter, yolks, salt to a food processor and blitz until you get a crumbly mixture. Take it out.
- Divide the dough in 4 parts of 130 gr each.
- Add cocoa and peppermint extract to one part and knead it until you obtain a nice dough (not too much! Heat is the enemy of this dough!)
- Add orange zest to another part and knead (ditto).
- Let them chill in the fridge for one hour.
Prepare the orange curd (adapted recipe by Tutti-Dolci)
- Add all the ingredients, except the butter, into a pot. Whisk.
- Turn on the heat (low) and keep whisking. Then gradually add the butter.
- Whisk until you get a creamy consistency.
For the cookies:
- Preheat the oven at 180° C / 350° F.
- Take the dough out of the fridge, one piece (130 gr) at a time.
- Roll out to a thickness of half a cm on a floured surface or using two parchment paper sheets.
- Cut into shapes using a cutter, and arrange the cookies on a baking tray, lined with parchment paper. Let chill in the fridge while you prepare the other cookies.
- When your tray is full of cookies, bake the first batch for about 18-20 minutes.
- To make thumbprint cookies: divide into 10 balls then gently press in the center of each ball, using your thumb or the rounded back of a teaspoon. Fill with raspberry jam.
- Shape all the cookies and bake.
Garnish peppermint cookies:
- Garnish with melted white chocolate and peppermint candy cane.
Ice cookies (easy icing):
- Combine water and icing sugar until you obtain a thick "paste". Decorate.
Fill orange cookies:
- Fill the cookies with orange curd.
To box the cookies:
- Please follow instructions in the post.
Don’t forget to pin and share this easy and delicious recipe!
Liked this recipe?
Try these gingerbread cookies, they're gluten free!
NOTE: This post contains affiliate links which means I make a commission off of the links with no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting me!
© Healthy Little Cravings – Roberta Dall’Alba.
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Janet says
I made these last year and forgot to leave a review (I'm not used to it), but then recently I was again looking for a Christmas cookie box idea and I'm gonna make them again soon. We loved them and our friends too!
Roberta says
Oh Janet this made my day! Thanks for coming back!:)
Janice says
Hi there, this looks very interesting. Can’t wait to try it!
Just to clarify, what exactly do you mean by powdered sugar? I googled it and it says it’s the same as icing sugar but I noticed that you also specified icing sugar later in the recipe for the easy icing, so I wanted to check. Can granulated sugar be substituted for the powdered sugar instead?
Thanks!
Roberta says
Hi Janice, icing sugar/powdered sugar are the same!:) or confectioner's sugar, same same.
I recommend using that and not granulated, so You'll have a better texture.
Hug
Roberta
Kristy says
I'm planning to make a big batch. Can I make the dough and freeze till I'm ready to bake them?
Roberta says
Hi! I’ve never tried but I think you definitely can! Actually, Right now I have shortbread dough in my freezer and I will bake soon, so I’ll let you know!;)
Georgie says
Brilliant recipe! Changed a few bits as for a birthday present instead of Christmas but it was so easy and love how nice it looks having four different types. Thanks!
Also my curd came out fine.
Roberta says
Right?! one dough and 4 cookies is a dream
Thanks Georgie for making it!!!
Koren says
Really enjoyed this post! Recipe was very easy to follow even for my non-baking husband to help prep the dough! Loved the French Etsy company for the custom cookie cutters. Orange curd cookies had rave reviews thank you!
Roberta says
So happy Koren <3
Danielle Bentel says
Hi,
Does "gr" stand for grams in this recipe or grains?
Thanks!
Roberta says
Hi Danielle, don't know what grains is it's grams!:)
Rebecca says
I just made the thumbprints from this box and they were so tasty!!
Roberta says
Thanks Rebeccaaaaa, I appreciate it!
jen says
Hi! Where did you get your Ho Ho Ho cookie stamp?
Roberta says
Hi! Sure you've read the post?:P because I've linked the etsy shop in the second paragraph:P https://www.etsy.com/it/shop/LeCuisinier?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=734767788§ion_id=26991213
DT says
Made this and it turned out quite good! Wish i could share a picture of my cookie box. Love the orange curd cookies though our curd was too watery and we had to use another recipe.
healthyLC says
Oh I'm sorry for the curd! Mine was thick and perfect!
Thanks dear,
x
Roberta
Carson says
I was having the same problem. Turn the heat up a bit and allow the mixture to reduce until it thickens into a paste. Make sure to stir continuously when it gets thicker, as it will burn much more quickly
Roberta says
Hi Carson!
Yep, I wrote it in the post (except turning the heat up). Thanks for the tip to @DT though!
Liked the cookies?
Vanessa Loh says
I had trouble with the orange curd curdling and realised too late that the instructions (which I followed) said 30g BROWN (instead of white caster) sugar, which turned my curd brown instead of retaining a lovely light and creamy orange colour. Followed another recipe using the water bath method which resulted in smooth curd.
Roberta says
Good for you, hope you liked the cookies:)
Chiara says
Roberta, gli stampini a impressione per biscotti dove li hai presi? Sono bellissimi!
healthyLC says
Se leggi bene sono linkati nel post!:)