Description
These Retro Christmas Gumdrop Cookies are a festive and colorful treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, buttery sugar cookies are studded with chopped, fruit-flavored gumdrops for a chewy and sweet surprise in every bite. The classic recipe combines simple ingredients and easy steps for a nostalgic cookie that brings holiday joy to any table.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Gumdrops
- 1 cup fruit-flavored gumdrops, chopped and floured
Instructions
- Prepare Gumdrops: Chop the gumdrops into small pieces and toss them with a bit of flour to prevent sticking during mixing and baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing at low speed until a soft dough forms without overmixing.
- Fold in Gumdrops: Gently fold the floured gumdrop pieces into the dough, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Chill Dough (Optional): Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers are just set.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set and prevents crumbling.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is optional but recommended for neater, thicker cookies.
- You can substitute gumdrops with other colorful chewy candies, but flour them first to prevent sinking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For extra sparkle, roll the dough balls in sanding sugar before baking.
