Hey there, cookie lovers!
The holiday season is here, and that means it’s time to bake some treats!
Today, I’m excited to share my favorite Christmas cookies with raisins.
They’re sweet, chewy, and packed with festive flavors.
Perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself!
So grab your apron, and let’s spread some holiday cheer with these delicious cookies!
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 12-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 72-80 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Ingredients
For the raisin mixture:
- 2 cups raisins
- 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract (pure vanilla extract for best flavor)
- 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter (I like Kerrygold unsalted butter for this)
For the dry ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I always use King Arthur all-purpose flour)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
For the wet ingredients:
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed for accurate measurement)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature for better emulsification)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Step 1: Prepare the Raisins
Add the butter to a medium-sized sauce pot and place it over low-medium heat.
Once the butter has melted, turn the heat to low.
Add the raisins, vanilla, and cinnamon, then stir to blend.
Cover and let this gently simmer for 5 minutes.
After, turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and let it sit for 54 minutes to allow the raisins to soak and absorb the flavors.
Step 2: Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheets
While the raisins are soaking, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Cover 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Adjust two racks towards the center of the oven to ensure even baking.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda.
Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add both sugars and set aside for later use.
Step 4: Combine All Ingredients
Once the raisins are done soaking, add the raisin mixture to the bowl with the sugars and mix to blend.
Then, add the eggs and mix until they are fully incorporated.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until you no longer see any dry spots.
Step 5: Shape the Batter
Using a cookie scoop (approximately 2 inches), drop the batter onto the parchment-lined baking sheets.
Gently press each one down a bit with the palm of your hand.
Make sure there are a couple of inches between each scoop to allow room for spreading.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Bake in the preheated 350°F oven until the cookies are set and slightly golden along the edges, about 12 minutes.
Step 7: Cool the Cookies
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
This will help them firm up and prevent breakage.
Enjoy your freshly baked cookies!
