'Tis the season for pies, cookies, hot chocolate, candy canes, fudge, and so many other delicious treats I can't even begin to name them all. Every year, usually right before Thanksgiving, I bake, at least, 9 dozen cookies. They dawn our Thanksgiving day spread and I gift them to my neighbors and friends. Then my son and I typically bake Santa's cookies together in mid to late December. Plus for the past several years I've been invited to a cookie exchange. So if you're like me and seem to put on your baking hat for about 1 month out of the year I've got some delicious twists on some old classics using essential oils, of course!
Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint
yields 2 dozen
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1½ cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 drop Peppermint essential oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
⅔ cup cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cream together butters and sugars.
- Add remaining wet ingredients.
- In separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients.
- Combine wet, dry, and other ingredients.
- Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
Tips:
Change the essential oil used to adjust flavor and create a unique cookie experience. Melted chocolate and sprinkles can make a simple cookie festive.
Peanut Butter Cookies with Cardamom
yields 4 dozen
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 drop Cardamom essential oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cream together butters and sugars.
- Add remaining wet ingredients.
- In separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients.
- Combine wet, dry, and other ingredients.
- Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
Tips:
Change the essential oil used to adjust flavor and create a unique cookie experience. Melted chocolate and sprinkles can make a simple cookie festive.
Gingersnaps with Ginger 
yields 2 dozen
Ingredients:
¾ cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 large egg
¼ cup dark molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1–3 drops Ginger essential oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Roll cookie balls in:
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cream together butters and sugars.
- Add remaining wet ingredients.
- In separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients.
- Combine wet, dry, and other ingredients.
- Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
Tips:
Change the essential oil used to adjust flavor and create a unique cookie experience. Melted chocolate and sprinkles can make a simple cookie festive.
Snickerdoodles with Cinnamon
yields 2 dozen
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1½ cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 drop Cinnamon essential oil
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon cream of tarter
1 teaspoon baking soda
Roll cookie balls in:
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cream together butters and sugars.
- Add remaining wet ingredients.
- In separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients.
- Combine wet, dry, and other ingredients.
- Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
Tips:
Change the essential oil used to adjust flavor and create a unique cookie experience. Melted chocolate and sprinkles can make a simple cookie festive.
Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies with Cardamom
yields 2 dozen
Ingredients:
½ cup butter, softened
¾ cup white sugar
1 large egg
1½ teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1½ teaspoons natural red food coloring
1 drop Cardamom essential oil
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2½ tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon corn starch
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cream together butters and sugars.
- Add remaining wet ingredients.
- In separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients.
- Combine wet, dry, and other ingredients.
- Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
Tips:
Change the essential oil used to adjust flavor and create a unique cookie experience. Melted chocolate and sprinkles can make a simple cookie festive.
No matter what your "excuse" is to demolish some cookies, I hope you enjoy your time in the kitchen - have fun incorporating essential oils into the mix, and hope that everyone gobbles them up.
xoDanette