Because homemade cookies are the best way to get into the holiday spirit
By Katherine Dempsey
During the holiday season, nothing brings friends and family together like a fresh batch of cookies. But as a typical Northwestern student, you might find it difficult to concoct time-intensive sweet treats. Not to worry — here’s your guide to some of the best and easiest-to-make cookies out there, including everything from no-bake options to gluten-free fare. Once you start whipping up these desserts, you might become one of the most sought-after holiday bakers in town.
Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Total Time: 35-40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
Chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter the baking sheet.
2. Mix peanut butter and sugar. Mix in egg, vanilla extract, baking soda and chocolate chips.
3. Scoop into balls and flatten with your palm.
4. Bake until light brown, about 10 minutes.
Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Photo by Daniel Schuleman
Total Time: 35-40 minutes
Servings: 15 cookies
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
¾ cup white sugar
¼ cup peanut butter
¼ cup milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup butter
Pinch of salt (omit if peanut butter is salted)
Directions:
1. Prepare sheets of wax paper for when cookies are ready to cool.
2. Mix sugar, milk, cocoa powder, salt and butter in large saucepan over medium heat.
3. Heat mixture until it boils and looks foamy and glossy, about 4-6 minutes. Immediately remove saucepan from stove.
4. Stir peanut butter into heated cocoa mixture until melted. Add in oats and stir rapidly to avoid setting.
5. Spoon cookies onto wax paper and let them cool until firm and dull, about 5-10 minutes.
Unforgettable Mix-In Cookies
Photo by Daniel Schuleman
Total Time: 90 minutes
Servings: 24-30 Cookies
Ingredients:
1 ½ cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
1 egg
¾ cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup cereal (try granola)
½ cup nuts (try chopped pecans)
½ cup salty snack food (try pretzel pieces)
1 cup chocolate chips or Heath bar
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375˚F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. Beat butter and sugars in another bowl until fluffy. Then add egg and vanilla, and stir.
4. Combine egg and flour mixtures, and mix in pretzels, granola, nuts and chocolate until combined.
5. Roll dough into balls and place 8-12 on each baking sheet about 2 ½ inches apart.
6. Bake each sheet individually until cookies are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Rotate sheet halfway through. Remove from oven and let cool.
Cream Cheese Cookies
Photo by Daniel Schuleman
Total Time: 35-40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
2. Cream butter, sugar and cream cheese until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in flour and salt.
3. Spoon batter onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Space cookies about 1 ½ inches apart.
4. Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes.