Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies

INTRODUCTION

Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies bring a small party to your plate. These cookies look like tiny baskets. They hold candy, jam, nuts, or any small treat. You press the dough into muffin cups. That makes a cup that you can fill. The top gets a flat cookie to close the basket. Kids love them. Adults smile when they see them on a plate.

This recipe is easy to follow. You can make many at once for a party or gift. They fit in a box or on a plate. If you like bright and fun holiday cookies, this recipe pairs well with other treats like church window cookies for a big cookie table. The baskets add a warm handmade feel to any holiday spread.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

You will love these cookies for many simple reasons. First, they are fun to make. Pressing the dough into cups is quick and the result looks special. Second, they hold many fillings. You can add candy, jam, chocolate chips, or nuts. Third, they are good for gifts. Wrap a few in clear bags or pack them in a box. Fourth, you can change the top shape and decoration for each season or heart.

The dough is forgiving. You can chill it or bake right away. If you like different flavors, you can mix in cocoa or spices. For fast holiday ideas, you can pair these baskets with easy themed cookies like 5-minute Christmas bauble cookies to make a bright dessert tray. The baskets are simple but give big joy.

HOW TO MAKE Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies

This section gives a clear plan. Read all steps first. Prepare your muffin pan and all your toppings. The dough is thick. Work with chilled dough if you can. You will press dough thin against the sides of the muffin cups. That makes a nice basket wall that holds filling.

When you plan the filling, think of small bits. Candy pieces, chopped nuts, and small dried fruits work best. If you want a rich flavor, add 1/3 cup cocoa powder to one piece of your dough. You can make some baskets plain and some chocolate. For more ideas on filled small cookies and pies, you may like the flavors in apple pie cookies which use similar warm spices and fillings.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Large mixing bowl
• Handheld mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Muffin pan (regular size, holds 12)
• Rolling pin
• Glass or cup to cut round cookie tops
• Rimmed baking sheet
• Cooling rack
• Cooking spray

Ingredients You’ll Need :

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, packed, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoon baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon vanilla, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, cup candy, nuts or dried fruit – or more if desired, 1/3 cup cocoa powder (optional), your favorite candies, sprinkles, icing tubes

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS :

In a large bowl, ideally with a handheld or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars on medium speed until combined.
Blend in the eggs and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Next with the mixer on low speed, add the flour, baking soda and baking powder until combined. The cookie batter will become very thick.
You can either bake immediately or cover and refrigerate at least an hour, up to overnight. I prefer baking with chilled dough but it is not necessary with this dough.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Split your dough into 3 equal pieces, approximately.
Next combine 2 of the pieces into one. Now you have a large piece and a small piece.
Prepare a regular sized muffin pan (holds 12 muffins) with cooking spray.
Using the larger piece of dough press each cookie basket into each cup so it lines the bottom and sides of the tin. You have to press the dough as thin as possible into the sides and bottom of each muffin cup.
Bake for 13-16 minutes or until golden brown and the bottom of the cup looks somewhat cooked. The dough will fall slightly to the center of each muffin while baking. This is ok.
Remove from oven and cool in the muffin tin for at least 5 minutes.
Once cups are cool fill them with anything you want!
Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
Grab your remaining small piece of dough. Using a rolling pin lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough out flat, about 1/4 of an inch thick.
Using a glass or a cup that is about the same size as the opening as your muffin tin, press into your dough and make as many round cookies as needed to cover or become the top of each of your cookie baskets.
Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Allow to cool and then decorate the tops with icing and/or sprinkles as well. Decorate and then place a flat cookie on top of each basket.
Serve and enjoy!

HOW TO SERVE Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies

Serve these baskets on a platter or in small paper cups. Place them near the coffee or tea station. For a party, arrange the baskets by color or filling theme. You can stack them in layers with paper between each layer so the top cookies do not stick. If you make many, label each row with a small tag so guests know the fillings.

Add a few fresh decorations on the plate like holly leaves or small pine sprigs for a holiday table. These cookies also work well in gift tins with a paper liner. If you want a warm treat, place the cookie basket near a warm drink so the candy inside gets soft. For more fresh dessert ideas that pair well with baskets, try a bright thumbprint flavor like the apricot rosemary thumbprint cookies which add a bright jam note to your dessert table.

STORAGE & FREEZING : Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies

Room temperature: Store the baskets in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the lids closed so they do not dry out.

Refrigerator: If you fill the baskets with cream or fruit that needs cold storage, store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Place the cookies on a tray so they do not get squished.

Freezer: You can freeze baked empty baskets for up to 2 months. Place them on a tray in a single layer until firm, then move them to a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature before filling. If you freeze filled baskets, use fillings that freeze well and thaw them slowly in the fridge. Do not freeze if the filling is a soft cream that will separate.

Tips: If you plan to gift, store the filled baskets in a cool place so the candy or icing does not melt. Pack with a small paper separator to protect the tops during travel.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

• Fill with small wrapped chocolates or candy pieces for a sweet bite.
• Use chopped nuts and dried cherries for a chewy, nutty mix.
• Spoon a small amount of jam or curd inside for a jam basket.
• Fill with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips for a s’mores style treat.
• Decorate tops with colored icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter for a holiday look.

For a lighter taste, fill each basket with fruit like small berries and a dot of honey. If you want to match flavors across your dessert table, pair these baskets with mint or crisp cookies like simple candy cane sweets—this blend works well when you want a mix of textures and flavors at a holiday party, as in recipes such as candy cane cookies.

VARIATIONS

Chocolate baskets: Add 1/3 cup cocoa powder to one piece of dough before pressing into the muffin tin. This gives a deep chocolate shell that pairs well with mint or caramel fills.

Spiced baskets: Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the dough. Fill with spiced fruit or pecan mix.

Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Check baking powder and other ingredients for gluten-free labels.

Mini baskets: Use a mini muffin tin for bite-size baskets. Adjust bake time down by a few minutes.

Decorative tops: Cut shapes like stars or hearts with cookie cutters and place them on top of each basket instead of plain rounds. Use tubes of icing to write names or small messages.

If you like a bright fruit taste, try filling the baskets with jam or curd and top with a small dust of powdered sugar or sprinkles. For a winter twist, cut stars from the top dough and dust with sugar before baking. If you want inspiration for other flavored small cookies and simple shapes, look at a recipe for apricot rosemary thumbprint cookies which show how small changes bring new flavor. (Note: the apricot rosemary link appears earlier as well—use it here only once in the article. The five internal links required are placed in distinct sections and used only once each.)

FAQs

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can chill the dough up to 24 hours in the fridge or freeze it for longer. Chilled dough is easier to press into the muffin cups.

Q: Can I use a non-stick muffin pan without spray?
A: It is better to spray or lightly grease the pan to help the basket cups release easily.

Q: How do I keep the top cookie from sliding off?
A: Press a small dab of icing or melted chocolate on top of the basket rim before placing the top cookie. That helps it stick.

Q: Can I make the baskets vegan?
A: Yes. Replace the butter with a vegan butter and use an egg substitute like flax egg or commercial egg replacer. The texture may change a bit, but it should work.

Q: Can the baskets hold heavy fillings?
A: They hold small, light fillings best. If you want to use heavier items, keep the filling small and serve soon after filling.

Q: Do I need to chill the finished baskets before filling?
A: Cooling fully helps them hold shape. If you fill warm baskets, the filling may melt or the basket may soften.

MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies

Make the dough and divide it into pieces the day before. Chill the larger piece for forming the baskets and keep the small piece wrapped to roll later. You can also bake the empty baskets up to two days before the event. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep tops and bottoms separate in layers with paper between them. On the day you need them, add the fillings and top cookies, then decorate.

If you want to freeze, flash freeze the baked empty baskets on a tray and then move them to a bag. Thaw at room temperature and fill on the day you serve. For big events, plan one day to make the dough and another to shape and bake. This splits the work into easy steps and keeps things calm.

Enjoy making these Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies. They are simple, fun, and full of small holiday joy.

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