Wondering how to tempt Jolly old Saint Nick down the chimney on Christmas Eve?

Hint: Appeal to his sweet tooth!

It’s no secret that the trick to keeping Santa happy is to set out a plate of warm, homemade cookies for him.

But what is the best cookie for the job?

Always looking for a good excuse to eat, we have made some selections for you  So, whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, try one (or all) of these recipes, and you’ll be sure to get everything on your list.

Chocolate mint marvels recipe

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup butter
  • 1½ cups brown sugar
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • 2 eggs
  • 2½ cups flour
  • 1¼ teaspoons baking soda
  • 3 or 4 packages of Andes Mints

Method:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over low heat.

Add chocolate chips and stir to melt; put the mixture into a bowl and let cool.

Add eggs, and then mix in flour and baking soda.

Chill dough for 1 hour.

Roll into balls and place on baking sheet. Bake for 9 minutes.

Remove cookies from oven and place an Andes mint on each one.

As the candy melts, spread it across the top of the cookie with a butter knife.

Makes 3 dozen.

Sinful oatmeal cookie recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2½ cups quick-cooking oatmeal
  • 1 ten-ounce package Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips
  • 1 cup raisins
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Method:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Beat butter and both sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla until well blended.

Combine soda with flour, and mix into the butter mixture.

Stir in the oatmeal, and then add the chips, raisins, and nuts. The batter will be thick.

Drop onto parchment-lined baking sheet by heaping teaspoonfuls and bake 10 to 12 minutes.

Makes 4 dozen.

Molasses sugar cookies recipe

Ingredients:

Melt and cool:

  • ⅜ cup shortening
  • ⅜ cup margarine

Add:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 egg

Sift together and add:

  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ teaspoon cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Method:

Preheat oven to 375°.

Mix ingredients well by hand and chill for 30 minutes.

Form into 1-inch balls, roll in granulated sugar, and place on baking sheet.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies will crinkle while baking.

Makes 3 dozen.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

* Originally published in 2010.

Related: Christmas, Recipes