Christmas Meltaway Cookies

Oh wow, the first time I bit into a Christmas meltaway cookie, it just melted in my mouth. So soft, so sweet, and so buttery. It felt like Christmas in one little bite.

I love how easy these cookies are to make. Just a few simple ingredients and they come out so light and fluffy. And the sprinkles make them look extra festive and fun.

Every time I make them, my family always asks for more. They go so fast because everyone loves how they just disappear when you eat them. Honestly, they taste like holiday magic.

So, let’s make them together! With butter, sugar, and a little joy, we can bake these cookies in no time. Trust me, they’ll be the sweetest part of Christmas.

Why You’ll Love Christmas Meltaway Cookies

Reader Favorite: You will never hear a bad thing about these cookies once you’ve made them. They are the perfect blend of buttery richness and delightful texture, making them a definite crowd-pleaser.

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Goodness: These cookies live up to their name – they melt away in your mouth with a tender, crumbly texture that’s irresistible.

Perfect for the Holidays: With the red of cranberries and the green of pistachios, they are perfect for festive cookie platters or as a sweet little gift wrapped in cellophane.

Easy to Make: Despite the wonderful flavors, these cookies come together in no time with just a few ingredients and a few simple steps.

Great for Gifting: This recipe is ideal for holiday gifting. Make a big batch and give the cookies in a cute holiday tin or a jar for a thoughtful homemade present.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s make sure you have everything you need:

• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a couple of mixing bowls to combine the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: To cream the butter, sugar, and cream cheese together, a hand or stand mixer is best for getting that perfect, fluffy texture.
• Baking Sheets: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
• Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: To keep your cookies uniform in size, a small cookie scoop or tablespoon is your best friend.
• Wire Rack: After baking, place your cookies on a wire rack to cool and prevent them from getting soggy.

Ingredients

To create these delightful meltaway cookies, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that come together to create the perfect balance of flavors. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Unsalted Butter (226g / 2 sticks): The base of any meltaway cookie, giving them that soft and crumbly texture. Be sure to soften it to room temperature so it creams properly with the other ingredients.
• Powdered Sugar (1/2 cup for the dough, 1/3 cup for dusting): Powdered sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness without weighing down the dough. It also gives the cookies a beautiful finish when dusted after baking.
• All-Purpose Flour (1 3/4 cups or 210g): This forms the body of the dough, providing structure while keeping the cookies light and crumbly.
• Cornstarch (1/3 cup): Cornstarch helps to soften the texture of the cookies, giving them a melt-in-your-mouth quality. It works by breaking down the gluten in the flour, making the dough tender.
• Shelled Pistachios (1/2 cup, finely chopped): These add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery cookie.
• Dried Cranberries (1/2 cup, finely chopped): Dried cranberries bring a slight tartness to balance out the sweetness of the cookies, while their deep red color adds a lovely festive touch.
• Powdered Sugar (1/3 cup, for coating): This adds the finishing touch, dusting the cookies with a delicate layer of sweetness and making them look extra festive.

How to Make Christmas Meltaway Cookies

Let’s walk through the simple steps to bake these incredible cookies. They might seem delicate, but they come together pretty easily. Ready? Let’s begin!

Step 1: Cream the Wet Ingredients

Start by creaming the butter and powdered sugar together in a mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step – the goal is to create a light, fluffy mixture. Beat the butter and sugar for about 2-3 minutes until they’re well-combined. The butter should be soft and smooth, not hard or too cold.

Next, add the room temperature cream cheese to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until smooth and creamy. The cream cheese helps add richness to the cookies, contributing to their soft and delicate texture.

Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch. This will ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and that the cornstarch is thoroughly mixed with the flour.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed. Continue mixing until the dough just comes together – be careful not to overmix.

Step 3: Fold in the Pistachios and Cranberries

Once the dough is mixed, fold in the finely chopped pistachios and dried cranberries. These ingredients add both texture and festive color to the cookies, making them as pretty as they are delicious.

Step 4: Form the Dough and Chill

Take a tablespoon of dough (or use a cookie scoop for more uniform sizes) and roll it into a ball. Place the dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Make sure there is enough space between each ball for spreading during baking.

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is important because it helps the dough firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking. You can also chill the dough for up to 2 hours if you prefer.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Once the dough has chilled, bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look soft, but they will set as they cool. You’ll know they’re done when they have a delicate, light golden hue around the edges.

Step 6: Coat with Powdered Sugar

Once the cookies are out of the oven, let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once the cookies have cooled, it’s time to add that lovely powdered sugar coating. Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl, and gently roll each cookie in the sugar until it’s fully coated. This adds an extra touch of sweetness and gives the cookies their characteristic snowy appearance.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Now that your Christmas Meltaway Cookies are ready, it’s time to serve and enjoy! These cookies are perfect for holiday cookie platters, as a sweet gift for friends and family, or simply as a treat to enjoy with a hot cup of cocoa.

Variations of Christmas Meltaway Cookies

Although this recipe is already delicious as is, you can make some simple variations to suit your personal taste:

1. Add White Chocolate Chips: Fold in some white chocolate chips with the pistachios and cranberries for an even richer cookie.
2. Use Other Nuts: If you’re not a fan of pistachios, you can substitute them with chopped almonds or walnuts for a different flavor.
3. Orange Zest: Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the dough for a citrusy twist that complements the cranberries.
4. Dip in Chocolate: For extra indulgence, dip the cooled cookies in melted chocolate and let them set for a festive, decadent touch.

How to Store Christmas Meltaway Cookies

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They will stay fresh and tender, perfect for snacking throughout the holiday season.

Freezing: These cookies freeze exceptionally well! Once they’ve cooled completely, place them in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, just let them thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts (per 1 cookie)

• Calories: 95
• Total Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg
• Sodium: 25 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0 g
  • Total Sugars: 4 g (includes 3 g added sugars)
• Protein: 1 g

Conclusion

These Christmas Meltaway Cookies are an absolute must-bake for the holiday season. With their delicate, buttery texture and festive ingredients, they’re sure to become a new holiday tradition in your home. The combination of pistachios, cranberries, and a dusting of powdered sugar makes them a treat that’s both beautiful and delicious.

So, whether you’re baking these cookies for your own family or preparing homemade gifts for friends and loved ones, these meltaway cookies are guaranteed to bring joy and sweet memories. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) these delightful treats as much as I do. Happy baking!