Name: Santa's Favorite Cookies (Soft & Chewy)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 36 cookies
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; Red and green colored sugar for rolling

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Introduction

There's something magical about baking Christmas cookies that fill your home with warmth and nostalgia. These Santa's Favorite Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat, combining wholesome ingredients with that irresistible soft and chewy texture everyone loves. Unlike cookies that turn hard and crumbly after a day, this recipe produces tender, pillowy cookies that stay fresh for days, making them perfect for cookie exchanges, gift boxes, or leaving out for Santa himself.

What makes these santa cookies truly special is the careful balance of natural sweeteners, quality fats, and whole-food ingredients that create both incredible flavor and a satisfying texture. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your holiday baking journey, this straightforward recipe will become your go-to for christmas cookies year after year.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These holiday cookies check every box for the perfect seasonal treat. The texture is gloriously soft and chewy, with slightly crisp edges that give way to a tender center. They're naturally sweetened with a combination of coconut sugar and pure maple syrup, providing depth of flavor without refined white sugar.

The recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can customize these soft chewy cookies with your favorite add-ins, from dark chocolate chips to dried cranberries and pecans. They hold their shape beautifully during baking, making them ideal for cookie swaps where presentation matters.

Best of all, these cookies use nutrient-dense ingredients that provide more than empty calories. Almond flour adds protein and healthy fats, while oats contribute fiber and sustained energy. You can feel good about serving these to your family throughout the busy holiday season.

Ingredient Notes

Almond Flour: This grain-free flour creates an incredibly tender texture while adding protein, vitamin E, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Use blanched almond flour for the best texture and appearance.

Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats provide fiber, B vitamins, and a delightful chewy texture. They also help these cookies maintain their soft texture for days. Avoid instant oats, which will create a mushy consistency.

Coconut Sugar: This unrefined sweetener has a lower glycemic index than white sugar and contains trace minerals. Its caramel-like flavor adds warmth and complexity to these christmas cookies.

Pure Maple Syrup: Grade A maple syrup provides natural sweetness along with antioxidants and minerals like manganese and zinc. It also contributes to the chewy texture.

Coconut Oil: Use refined coconut oil for a neutral flavor, or virgin coconut oil if you enjoy a subtle coconut taste. This healthy fat creates the perfect cookie texture while providing medium-chain triglycerides.

Eggs: Free-range or pasture-raised eggs provide structure, richness, and important nutrients like choline and vitamin D.

Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is essential for that classic cookie flavor. Avoid imitation vanilla for the best taste.

Baking Soda: This leavening agent helps the cookies rise slightly while maintaining their chewy texture.

Sea Salt: A quality sea salt enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.

Dark Chocolate Chips: Choose chips with at least 70% cacao for antioxidant benefits and less sugar. You can also use cacao nibs for an even healthier option.

Equipment Needed

You'll need basic baking equipment: two large baking sheets, parchment paper or silicone baking mats, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a whisk, a spatula, and a cookie scoop for uniform sizing. A stand mixer or hand mixer is optional but helpful for creaming the wet ingredients.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking for your holiday cookies.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups almond flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Whisking thoroughly ensures even distribution of the leavening agent, which is crucial for consistent texture.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup melted coconut oil, 3/4 cup coconut sugar, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 large eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Mix vigorously until the mixture is smooth and the sugar begins to dissolve, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Create the Dough

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Using a sturdy spatula, fold everything together until just combined. Don't overmix, as this can make the cookies tough. Fold in 1 cup of dark chocolate chips, reserving a few to press on top of the cookies before baking.

Step 5: Shape and Bake

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough into balls about 2 tablespoons each. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your palm. Press a few extra chocolate chips on top for a beautiful presentation.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just set and lightly golden but the centers still look slightly underdone. This is the secret to soft chewy cookies. They'll continue cooking on the hot pan after you remove them from the oven.

Step 6: Cool Properly

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This resting period allows them to firm up enough to transfer without breaking. Then move them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. They'll continue to set as they cool while maintaining that perfect chewy texture.

Serving Suggestions

These santa cookies are incredibly versatile for holiday entertaining. Arrange them on a festive platter with fresh berries and orange slices for a beautiful cookie exchange presentation. The contrast of the dark chocolate against the golden cookies creates an elegant display.

For a cozy family treat, serve these warm with a glass of almond milk or herbal tea. The cookies pair wonderfully with peppermint tea, chamomile, or a rich hot chocolate made with cacao powder and your favorite milk.

Create a cookie gift box by layering these holiday cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a decorative tin. Add some dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and a festive ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.

For Christmas morning, arrange these cookies on a special plate alongside fresh fruit and nuts for Santa. Kids will love the tradition, and you'll appreciate that these treats contain wholesome ingredients.

Storage Tips

Store these soft chewy cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a piece of bread in the container to help maintain moisture and keep them soft. Replace the bread every couple of days.

For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

You can also freeze the raw cookie dough. Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time. This is perfect for having fresh christmas cookies ready whenever guests arrive.

Variations and Customizations

Cranberry Orange: Replace the chocolate chips with 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the wet ingredients for a festive flavor combination.

Gingerbread Style: Add 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon cloves to the dry ingredients. Replace half the chocolate chips with crystallized ginger pieces.

Double Chocolate: Add 3 tablespoons cacao powder to the dry ingredients and use both dark chocolate chips and cacao nibs for intense chocolate flavor.

Nut-Free Version: Replace almond flour with sunflower seed flour or oat flour. Note that sunflower seed flour may cause a slight green tint due to a harmless chemical reaction, but the taste remains delicious.

Peppermint Twist: Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract along with the vanilla. Fold in crushed candy canes (look for naturally colored versions) along with or instead of chocolate chips.

Nutrition Highlights

These nutrient-dense cookies provide substantially more nutritional value than traditional holiday cookies. Almond flour delivers protein, healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, and fiber. Unlike refined wheat flour, it won't spike blood sugar as dramatically.

The oats contribute beta-glucan fiber, which supports heart health and digestive function. They also provide B vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc.

Coconut sugar and maple syrup, while still sweeteners, contain trace minerals and antioxidants absent in refined sugar. The lower glycemic impact helps prevent energy crashes.

Dark chocolate chips provide flavonoids, which support cardiovascular health and cognitive function. The higher the cacao percentage, the more antioxidants you'll get.

Eggs contribute high-quality protein, choline for brain health, and lutein for eye health. Coconut oil provides medium-chain triglycerides that are easily metabolized for energy.

Each cookie provides sustained energy rather than a quick sugar rush, making them a more balanced treat during the hectic holiday season.

Tips for Perfect Santa Cookies

Don't Overbake: The single most important tip for soft chewy cookies is to slightly underbake them. Remove them when the centers still look a bit underdone. They'll firm up as they cool but remain tender inside.

Measure Accurately: Baking is science, especially with alternative flours. Spoon almond flour into measuring cups and level off rather than scooping, which can compact the flour and throw off ratios.

Room Temperature Eggs: Let your eggs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. They'll incorporate more smoothly into the batter, creating better texture.

Uniform Sizing: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all cookies are the same size. This guarantees even baking and professional-looking results for your cookie exchange.

Don't Skip the Cooling Time: Letting cookies rest on the hot pan for 5 minutes is crucial. They're too delicate to move immediately and will break. This resting period allows the structure to set.

Chill the Dough: If your kitchen is warm or the dough seems too soft, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before scooping. This helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking.

Cookie swaps and exchanges are beloved holiday traditions, and these santa cookies are ideal candidates. They transport well without breaking, maintain their soft texture for days, and look beautiful on any cookie platter.

The wholesome ingredients mean you can feel good about sharing them with friends and family. Many people appreciate healthier options during a season filled with indulgent treats.

These holiday cookies also accommodate various dietary preferences. They're naturally grain-free and can easily be made nut-free with simple substitutions. The recipe yields about 24 cookies, perfect for exchange events where you need multiple dozen.

The classic appearance with chocolate chips appeals to all ages, from young children to grandparents. Unlike overly decorated cookies that might not suit everyone's taste, these have universal appeal.

Conclusion

Santa's Favorite Cookies prove that holiday baking can be both delicious and nourishing. These soft, chewy treats deliver all the comfort and joy of traditional christmas cookies while incorporating wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients your body will appreciate.

Whether you're baking for a cookie exchange, creating homemade gifts, or simply want to fill your home with the aroma of fresh-baked cookies, this recipe delivers consistent, impressive results. The combination of almond flour, oats, and natural sweeteners creates a texture and flavor that rivals any conventional cookie recipe.

Make a double batch and keep some dough in the freezer so you're always ready when unexpected guests arrive or cookie cravings strike. These truly are cookies that Santa himself would be thrilled to find waiting for him on Christmas Eve, and your family will request them year after year.