Tis the season for all things cookies, and I’m fully embracing every minute. December only comes around once a year, so I figure, if there was ever a time for cookies, it’s now. The last week has been filled with busyness and the hustle and bustle that is December. It’s an amazing month, but it’s also a busy one! All the craziness, and a doctor’s appointment (promise, I am totally fine, I just have a major thing about doctor appointments) has left me filled to the brim with anxiousness. The only thing that’s helped slightly has been all the holiday recipe testing and photographing. You may or may not have noticed, but I have basically thrown myself into holiday recipes. I’m working so hard to create nothing but the best to share with you guys this month. This major focus has been such a help in relieving some of my anxious thoughts. I know that might sound crazy, but rolling out cookie dough is truly a very stress relieving activity. I really have so much fun creating these recipes! Long story short, it’s December, and if you’re feeling stressed…bake cookies! Specifically these Santa cookies! They’re extra cute, festive, and very fun to make. Oh, and SO GOOD! I’ve said this before, but I have a bit of a pet peeve with sugar cookies. They tend to be bland and I can never, ever, make them look as cute as that photograph on Pinterest. Previous sugar cookie baking days have ended in tears. But over the years I’ve picked up a few tricks and have let go of trying to decorate the “perfect” looking Christmas cookies. Perfect is boring, and what really matters, is how the cookie tastes. Cookies need to be GOOD. These cookies? These cookies are delicious. They’re down right, one of the best cookies I’ve ever made. They got rave reviews from Asher, the brothers + friends (must admit, not that hard). But Mom loved them too, and all were eaten within minutes. My secrets? One, using cream cheese in the cookie dough. Yes, cream cheese. It creates perfectly soft and fluffy sugar cookies that just melts in your mouth. Two, chai spice. Also known as, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and all-spice. The best and most warming combination of spices, and so very holiday appropriate. Trust me, this chai sugar cookie is so much better than those crunchy flavorless sugar cookies that we’re so often served this time of year. Hey, it’s true. For the frosting, I knew I wanted to create something simple and sweet that would pair nicely with the chai spices, but not overpower them. Enter the white chocolate frosting. It’s sweet, buttery, creamy, and has hints of vanilla. Perfection. For decorating, I kept things simple, simple, simple (said in my best Eloise voice because that’s the mood I’m in). I’m not a profession baker, and definitely not a cookie decorator. So I try to come up with easy ways to decorate cookies. I used red sanding sugar for Santa’s hat, mini chocolate chips for his eyes, and a red M&M for his nose. I had everything on hand at home. And while my first cookie was not perfect, my second was much cuter. And after that I had cookies decorated in no time. So simple and easy, but still so cute! If there was ever a cookie recipe to make over the next couple of weeks leading up to Christmas, it’s this cookie. Hands down a favorite among everyone in my family (picky eaters included). And not only are these delicious, they’re cute too! If you make these Santa cookies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
