🥰 Do you also feel the warmest emotions for those moments, just like I do? When the days grow shorter, and the cold outside makes us crave hot chocolate and the comfort of a soft blanket… When the warmth doesn’t just come from the flames in the fireplace but also from the memories and little moments that make this time of year so magical… That’s when we know it’s time for the most wonderful time of the year—Christmas—a celebration of magic, warmth, love, and shared moments that bring joy to the soul. Today, I’m sharing not just a recipe but a story.

When I was a child, nothing was more exciting than the last school bell of the year. It wasn’t just the end of school; it was the start of “the warmest holiday of the year” (despite the thick clothes and freezing temperatures). I would rush home through snow-covered streets just to be the first to try the Christmas cookies my mom was baking. Even with my eyes closed, I could find my way home by the magical scent wafting through the air, a few blocks before our street. The entire kitchen would transform into a workshop where Mom and I created the most delicious cookies in the world.

Mom would knead the dough with a smile, and I, like a true helper elf, would cut out star shapes, Christmas trees, and snowmen. Those moments—the laughter, the flour spread across the table (and on me), and the feeling of togetherness—taught me what Christmas truly means.

Today, although I live hundreds of miles away from my parents and the school bell is just a memory from my childhood, those days still live in my heart. And every year, when Christmas approaches, that memory comes alive and takes me back to those beautiful moments. Now, I’m the one kneading dough, cutting shapes, and filling my home with the scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and butter. To share little pieces of my childhood, I prepare small packages of freshly baked cookies for the people I love. Because Christmas is about warmth, the scent of memories, and generosity. It’s a time when nothing is more precious than gifting a smile and a piece of love.

What’s the Secret?

My mom’s recipe is incredibly simple, but the cookies are at their best only when you add a pinch of love. Here’s what you need to make the tastiest cookies:

Ingredients for the Cookies:

100g unsalted butter
3–4 tbsp honey
100g powdered sugar
2 eggs
1–2 drops vanilla extract
About 400g flour (or enough to form a firm dough)
2 tbsp cocoa powder
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ginger
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking powder

Ingredients for the Icing:

2 egg whites
400g powdered sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
2–3 drops vanilla extract
Food coloring

🍪 Step-by-Step Instructions for the Cookies:

Melt the butter in a double boiler.
Beat the eggs and powdered sugar until smooth.
Add the melted butter and honey to the egg mixture, stirring until well combined.
Mix in the vanilla extract, cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
Sift the flour and baking powder together, then gradually add to the mixture. Knead until you get a firm, non-sticky dough (add more sifted flour if necessary).
Roll out part of the dough to about 1 cm thickness on a floured surface, and use Christmas-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the dough. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Tip: To prevent sticking, sprinkle flour on the rolling surface and over the dough itself before cutting out shapes.

Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes. As the cookies are thin, watch them closely to avoid burning.
Let the cookies cool completely before decorating.

And Now, Let’s Add Some Inspiration…

Once you’ve baked the cookies, it’s time for the most fun part—decorating! Here’s how to do it:

Separate the egg whites and beat them until fluffy.
Sift the powdered sugar and gradually add it to the egg whites while continuing to beat.
Mix in the vanilla extract and lemon juice, beating until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy.
Divide the icing into separate bowls and add different food coloring to each.
Transfer each color to a piping bag or a small ziplock bag with a corner snipped off.
Let your imagination run wild and decorate the cookies as you like.
Once all the cookies are decorated, leave them in a cool place for a few hours to let the icing set.

Voilà!

Welcome to my childhood! Now you can enjoy the most delicious cookies and share small packages of love with the ones closest to your heart. 🎄

🎄Christmas is more than just a holiday—it’s a feeling, a collection of cherished moments, and the warmth that comes from sharing love and laughter with those who matter most. These Christmas cookies are more than a recipe; they’re a piece of my heart, a memory of my childhood, and a way to pass on the magic I’ve experienced to others.

✨As you bake these cookies, I hope you’ll feel the same joy and nostalgia that I do, and that your kitchen will be filled with the scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and love. Whether you’re sharing them with friends, family, or savoring them yourself, remember: the true essence of Christmas lies in the simple moments, the small acts of kindness, and the sweetness we bring into each other’s lives.

🍪 So, roll up your sleeves, sprinkle some flour, and let the scent of memories fill your home this holiday season. Happy baking and Merry Christmas!