At the end of the holiday season, the last thing any of us wants to satisfy our sweet tooth is a sugar cookie. It's an overused classic abused through the month of December. After the rush of sugar that marks the holiday season, in the weeks following New Years it's often nice to replace sugariness with more complex flavors and spices - more "grown-up" flavors instead of homages to our youth. The solution to this conundrum is Walnut-Nutmeg cookies.

chocolate, cake
Amelia Bowen

Make use of the leftover cookie mix and make these very grown-up treats, along with a few other items that are already in your pantry. With deep levels of complex flavor without being heavy, these cookies are a delicious way to sweeten your day.

Walnut-Nutmeg Cookies

  • Prep Time:10 mins
  • Cook Time:12 mins
  • Total Time:22 mins
  • Servings:20
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 package powdered sugar cookie mix plus all required ingredients
  • 1 tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp Cloves
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
cookie, butter, oatmeal, chocolate
Amelia Bowen
  • Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

    cream, milk
  • Step 2

    Add spices to the dry portion of the sugar cookie mix and whisk until incorporated. Then add wet ingredients according to the package directions, combine thoroughly.

    cream, ice, ice cream
  • Step 3

    Mix in chocolate chips and walnuts until evenly incorporated. Scoop 1 1/2 inch portions of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until firm, then transfer to wire rack to cool.

    raisin, oatmeal, chocolate

Serve warm with milk or coffee, leave out for picking throughout the afternoon or keep sealed in a container and then warm up in the microwave to eat later. 

Don't be afraid to mix up the ingredients; when I designed this recipe, I used Walnuts and chocolate chips because those are what I had in my cupboard. Nutmeg is a spice that goes well with a wide array of flavors - almonds, coconut shavings, even whole espresso beans pair well with the flavors already in these cookies. 

These effortless cookies are the perfect alternative to the classic sugar cookies of the holidays. Easy to prepare but impressive in their flavor, make these Walnut-Nutmeg cookies out of leftover ingredients and treat your housemates to something special.