Ahhh…the holidays. If we’re being honest, the things I look forward to most this time of year are everything cozy, yummy baked goods and downtime. What’s that you say? I had to look it up, too. Whew. Escaping the rat race for a few days this time of year is necessary. And so renewing.

What’s also renewing? A freaking delicious cookie. I know. I’m in my 40’s and I’m supposed to be eating like no sugar and no gluten and no butter and whatever. But I adore a good cookie, and if we’re still being honest, which we are, I never turn one down. If we’re also being honest, it’s half the reason I workout…so I can enjoy life’s treats and deliciousness. Food is life, and food is fun and food is good, y’all.

I also just looked up the origin of the word cookie because all my British friends think it’s silly that we use that term, but it turns out it’s Dutch! From Dutch koekje meaning ‘little cake.’ Well isn’t that precious. Now I love them even more.

Coziness & The Best Holiday Cookie Recipes

I think I have very little to zero Scandinavian ancestry in my lineage, but even before hygge was #trending I’d been drawn to that winter lifestyle. I adore knitting and cozying up and chatting with friends and baked goods and blankets and candles. I don’t mind gray days and snow and rain and cold weather. Who knew this would turn into an ode to cookies and hygge, but it’s an epitome of loveliness to focus on right now.

Below I’ve rounded up a few of my very favorite cookie recipes that will not disappoint. These aren’t your basic recipes, each has a little twist, but they’re also not difficult and so worth the little extras, especially for sharing and gifting this time of year. So get your coziest clothes on and your favorite mini-pastry-chef helper and get baking with me!

Outfit Details

On Laura (me)

Psst…My henley & high-rise joggers from Abercrombie are on post-holiday sale now! Snag them while you can!

On Sienna (Age 6)

My Favorite Easy Cookie Recipes That Impress

Ain’t nobody got time for boring/so-so cookies this time of year, y’all. These are some recipes I’ve tried and loved. The make-ahead dough is perfect when you have to travel to a cozy cabin, friends or relatives houses, or anywhere that you may not want to bust out your full recipe, but want to offer freshly baked goodness. That’s what I did with the cookies above when we visited this adorable cabin on Mt. Hood this month.

It was perfect. I made the dough ahead of time and then just had to slice, bake, and top the cookies when we got there. The chocolate and sea salt flake topping doesn’t travel perfectly if it’s previously applied, so this was a great way to do it. It’s your best option with anything topped with peppermint flakes and powdered sugar, too.

Half-Baked Harvest Slice n’ Bake Salted Chocolate Butter Pecan Cookies

These are the cookies above and omg. They’re amazing. Is browning the butter worth it? YES. The answer is yes. I might have been licking the bowl of browned butter after adding it to the dough…just be sure not to over-bake these but honestly the ones that were were still good. Tieghan is pure genius. If you don’t follow her, you should…and then you’ll drool like I do every time you’re on Instagram.

Mel’s Kitchen Cafe Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

I just made these yesterday — and WOW. So delicious. I like softer molasses cookies, and if you bake these juuust until they split a bit and dry out on top, let them cool for a minute or so on the cookie sheet, they’re wonderful. Not too soft, not too chewy. YUM. (These make a ton of cookies, which is perfect for gifting. If you want them at home I might suggest cutting the recipe in half.)

Andrea Beamis’ Chocolate Chip & Real Mint Cookies:

These are from one of my favorite cookbooks of all time, Dishing Up The Dirt (I’ve raved about it here many times!), and now the recipe is on Food52, also. Cool! You infuse the butter in these babies with fresh mint and omg. YES.

Tasty The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

The best thing in the world is a fabulous chocolate chip cookie. If you don’t want mint in yours, this is an amazing recipe that still tastes great even if you only have 30 minutes to chill the dough (even longer is even better!) I also adore the famous Jacques Torres recipe if you have a couple of days. They turn out picture perfect. I once unofficially won a chocolate chip cookie bake-off with a bunch of food bloggers with that recipe. It’s gooooood.

Food & Wine Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

These. These! They are hearty cookies you can feel good about eating for breakfast, but omg still yum and indulgent. My friend makes these regularly, and one time I subbed dried cherries and dark chocolate and they were FAB.

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I wish you all the most cozy of times this holiday season…whether that’s time spent with family, framily, friends or on your own. If the holidays are hard for you, I am sending you all the virtual hugs and wish I could send you one of these cookies. I know we’re all busy and want everything to be perfect right now, but if you can just sit back, have a little treat and extend some kindness to someone this week, we’ll all get 2020 off to a good start. Happy Everything, friends.

xo,

L

Check out the latest in my world over at @laurajansenstyle and join us in our everyday adventuring around Portland, Oregon. If you want to shop my current pieces I’m loving and wearing, head over to My Closet!