It’s that time of the year when the smell of freshly baked goods fills the air, and the kitchen becomes the heart of the house. Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in some sweet treats. But the question is, what do you bake? Should you go for the classic sugar cookies or try something different, like a regular cake? Let’s explore the pros and cons of both and help you make an informed decision.
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Ingredient
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Regular Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla and beat until well combined.
- Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
- Divide dough in half and shape into disks. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and transfer to prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Regular Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add vanilla and mix until well combined.
- Add flour mixture and milk, alternating between the two, and mix until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 1g
Regular Cake:
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 240mg
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 23g
- Protein: 4g
Cooking Time
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour and 32 minutes
Regular Cake:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
Equipment
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Plastic wrap
Regular Cake:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9-inch cake pan
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- Dust with powdered sugar
- Decorate with frosting and sprinkles
- Serve with hot cocoa
Regular Cake:
- Frost with buttercream or cream cheese frosting
- Top with fresh fruit
- Serve with a scoop of ice cream
Variations
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- Add spices like cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg
- Substitute vanilla extract with almond or peppermint extract
- Use different cookie cutters for different occasions
Regular Cake:
- Add cocoa powder for a chocolate cake
- Substitute whole milk with buttermilk for a tangy flavor
- Add lemon or orange zest for a citrusy twist
Substitutions
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version
- Substitute unsalted butter with margarine or coconut oil
- Substitute granulated sugar with brown sugar or honey
Regular Cake:
- Substitute all-purpose flour with cake flour for a lighter texture
- Substitute unsalted butter with vegetable oil or coconut oil
- Substitute granulated sugar with brown sugar or maple syrup
Storage
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week
- Freeze for up to 3 months
Regular Cake:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
- Refrigerate for up to a week
- Freeze for up to 3 months
Tips
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- Don’t overwork the dough, or the cookies will be tough
- Refrigerate the dough before baking to prevent spreading
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating
Regular Cake:
- Grease and flour the cake pan well to prevent sticking
- Don’t overmix the batter, or the cake will be tough
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting
Notes
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- This recipe makes about 24 cookies
- You can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it for up to a month
- You can