Hey fellow nutrition-seekers! It’s Juliette from Busy Mom Simple Nutrition. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that’s not only festive but also a fun way to get the kids involved in the kitchen: Twisted Christmas Cookies!
I remember the first time I attempted these. My youngest was obsessed with anything braided, and I thought, why not turn our favorite Christmas cookies into adorable little twists? It was a messy, flour-filled afternoon, but the smiles on their faces when they bit into those Twisted Christmas Cookies were absolutely worth it. They loved the fun shape, and I loved that I could sneak in a little extra whole wheat flour for added nutrition!
These Twisted Christmas Cookies aren’t just delicious; they’re a way to make holiday memories while keeping our families happy and well-fed. As busy moms, we need sanity-saving nutrition that brings joy, not stress, right?
So grab your aprons, and let’s get twisting! I’m here to show you how to make these delightful Twisted Christmas Cookies a new family favorite. Get ready to experience a dinnertime nutrition win with this simple yet satisfying recipe.
INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:
Here’s what you need to whip up these delightful Twisted Christmas Cookies. Don’t worry if you’re missing something; I’ve got some simple swaps for extra nutrition. Remember, busy moms need simple nutrition without complexity!
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of our Twisted Christmas Cookies.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: This helps give the cookies a light and airy texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness!
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: This adds richness and flavor. No worries if you don’t have unsalted; just reduce the salt a bit.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: For that perfect touch of sweetness. You can find these wholesome ingredients at your regular grocery store!
- 1 large egg: This binds everything together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This enhances the flavor. My family gets extra nutrition when I add a dash of almond extract too!
- Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar: For decorating and adding that festive touch to our Twisted Christmas Cookies.
- 1/4 cup milk or milk alternative: To adjust the dough consistency if needed.
Nutrition-focused swaps: For a nutritious Christmas cookie twist, try substituting half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for extra fiber. You can also use coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar for a lower glycemic index.
Shopping tips: This Twisted Christmas Cookies proves nutritious doesn’t mean expensive. These ingredients are budget-friendly and easy to find.
Ingredient prep shortcuts: Soften the butter ahead of time to save a few minutes. Measure out all your ingredients before you start for a smoother baking process. Trust me, this Twisted Christmas Cookies ingredient list is simple because busy moms need nutrition without complexity!
Nutritional Benefits: Using whole wheat flour adds fiber, which is great for digestion. The egg provides protein, and even a little bit of butter offers some healthy fats. Here’s a Twisted Christmas Cookies nutrition hack that changed our family’s health: I sneak in a tablespoon of flaxseed meal for extra Omega-3s!
Let’s Make it Happen!
Ready to get your hands floury? These step-by-step instructions make creating these Twisted Christmas Cookies a breeze! Here’s where I used to struggle with my Twisted Christmas Cookies – learn from my experience!
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your Twisted Christmas Cookies don’t stick!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is crucial for a tender cookie. In my busy kitchen, this nutritious Twisted Christmas Cookies usually takes about 3-5 minutes using a mixer.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Make sure they are well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this can result in tough cookies. Don’t worry if your Twisted Christmas Cookies dough looks a little crumbly at first.
- If the dough seems too dry, add milk or milk alternative, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it comes together. This will help with the twisting process.
- Divide the dough in half. This makes it easier to work with. Perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch!
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into strips about 1 inch wide and 4 inches long. A pizza cutter works great for this.
- Twist each strip of dough several times. Pinch the ends to seal the twist. Your Twisted Christmas Cookies should smell nourishing by now.
- Place the twisted dough on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. While your Twisted Christmas Cookies is cooking, take a moment to appreciate nourishing your family!
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, decorate with sprinkles or sanding sugar. Let the kids get creative with this part!
- Enjoy your delicious and festive Twisted Christmas Cookies!
Here’s a Twisted Christmas Cookies nutrition shortcut that I’ve learned over the years: make the dough ahead of time and chill it. This not only saves time but also helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking! This nutritious Twisted Christmas Cookies reminds me of another family-healthy favorite: these Christmas sugar cookies.
How We Love to Eat This!
Our family loves these Twisted Christmas Cookies in so many ways! It’s a dinnertime nutrition win every time.
The kids devour this nutritious Twisted Christmas Cookies when I serve it with a glass of milk or alongside some fresh fruit. A small bowl of berries adds a pop of color and extra vitamins! I sometimes add a dollop of Greek yogurt for a protein boost.
These Twisted Christmas Cookies are perfect for those busy weeknights when we need good nutrition fast! They’re also great for holiday parties or as a sweet treat in school lunchboxes.
Presentation Tips: Arrange the Twisted Christmas Cookies on a festive platter with some greenery for a beautiful holiday display. You can also drizzle them with a simple powdered sugar glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.
Leftover Ideas: Store leftover Twisted Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for several days. You can also crumble them and use them as a topping for yogurt or ice cream. We also enjoy dipping them in dark chocolate for a richer treat.
Seasonal Variations: For a fall twist, add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the dough. In the summer, a hint of lemon zest adds a refreshing flavor.
My friends and family always rave about these Twisted Christmas Cookies whenever I make them. They’re surprised that something so delicious can also be relatively nutritious! For more simple nutrition ideas for busy families, check out this Halloween crinkle cookies.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Here are some common questions I get asked about making these Twisted Christmas Cookies. Remember, I’m here to help you navigate the nourishing chaos!
Is this Twisted Christmas Cookies really nutritious enough for growing kids? Absolutely! With the option to add whole wheat flour and flaxseed meal, these cookies offer more nutrients than your average sugar cookie. Plus, they’re homemade, so you know exactly what’s going into them!
What if my picky eater won’t try this healthy Twisted Christmas Cookies? Presentation is key! Get them involved in the twisting and decorating process. The fun shape might entice them to give it a try. You can also start with a small amount of whole wheat flour and gradually increase it over time.
Can I meal prep this Twisted Christmas Cookies for busy weeks ahead? Yes! The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can also bake the cookies and freeze them for up to 2 months.
Can I make these Twisted Christmas Cookies gluten-free? Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Just be sure to add a binder like xanthan gum to help with the texture.
Can I reduce the sugar in this Twisted Christmas Cookies recipe? Absolutely! You can reduce the sugar by up to 1/4 cup without significantly affecting the texture. You can also use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, but keep in mind that this may change the flavor slightly.
What are some other variations I can try with this Twisted Christmas Cookies recipe? The possibilities are endless! You can add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the dough. You can also experiment with different extracts, such as almond, peppermint, or orange. This nutritious Twisted Christmas Cookies reminds me of another family-healthy favorite: this zucchini chocolate chip cookies.
My dough is too sticky. What should I do? Add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is easier to handle. Be careful not to add too much flour, or the cookies will be dry.
Find more inspiration with this Italian twisted braid cookie with honey drizzle recipe?
Final Thoughts:
These Twisted Christmas Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a fun and festive way to nourish your family during the holidays. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine.
My Twisted Christmas Cookies Nutrition Hacks:
- Sneak in some flaxseed meal: Adds extra Omega-3s without changing the flavor.
- Use whole wheat flour: Adds fiber and nutrients.
- Reduce the sugar: Use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
Family-Tested Healthy Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Twisted Christmas Cookies: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the dough.
- Nutty Twisted Christmas Cookies: Add 1/4 cup of chopped nuts to the dough.
- Citrusy Twisted Christmas Cookies: Add the zest of one orange or lemon to the dough.
My kids love the chocolate chip version the best, while my husband prefers the nutty version. I personally enjoy the citrusy Twisted Christmas Cookies for a refreshing twist! Check out these Simple Homemade Italian S Cookies – She Loves Biscotti!
Remember, nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about making small, sustainable changes that add up over time. I encourage you to make this Twisted Christmas Cookies recipe your own and find ways to incorporate it into your family’s healthy eating habits. Your family is sure to love these Italian Christmas cookie recipe with glaze.
Here’s to a holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of nourishing meals! I hope this Twisted Christmas Cookies brings your family as much joy as it brings mine!
Twisted Christmas Cookies
These Twisted Christmas Cookies are a festive and fun treat to make during the holidays! With their twisted shape and colorful sprinkles, they’re sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Colored sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into strips about 1-inch wide and 4-inches long.
- Twist each strip and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate with colored sprinkles.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a pinch of almond extract to the dough. You can also dip the cooled cookies in melted chocolate and then add sprinkles.