Crispy Christmas Crack Cookies
These Crispy Christmas Crack Cookies deliver a buttery crunch with festive spices, perfect for holiday bake exchanges and gifting. They feature a double bake for a caramelized, crispy topping and a nostalgic holiday flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 cup (120g) chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Fold in 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookies look set but not browned. Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup brown sugar evenly over the tops of the warm cookies.
- Return cookies to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the brown sugar topping bubbles and crisps up. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely for at least 30 minutes to achieve maximum crispiness.
Notes
Chill dough for 15 minutes if too soft to scoop. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack to maintain crispiness. Use fresh spices for best flavor. Store in airtight container with a slice of bread to keep cookies crispy longer. Reheat briefly at 300°F (150°C) to refresh crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Protein: 2
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday baking, crispy cookies, caramel cookies, pecan cookies, festive cookies, holiday treats