No Mess No Stress One-Bowl Holiday Cookies

Holiday baking doesn’t need to be complicated. These three easy, one-bowl cookies bring together all the season’s best flavors: cool peppermint, bright cranberry, and warm cocoa. And the best part? No sink full of dishes when you are done baking. Whether you’re baking for family, gifting in a tin, or just treating yourself to something sweet, this simple trio brings the cozy holiday feel fast.

Peppermint Cocoa Crunch Cookies

Ingredients:

• ½ cup melted unsalted butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• ⅓ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Stir together melted butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Mix in egg and vanilla.
4. Add flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; fold until a soft dough forms.
5. Gently stir in crushed peppermint.
6. Scoop onto the baking sheet and bake 9–10 minutes, letting the cookies set on the pan as they cool.

Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:

• ½ cup softened unsalted butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• ⅓ cup chopped dried cranberries
• ⅓ cup white chocolate chips (generic)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Cream butter and sugar in one bowl until light.
3. Mix in egg and vanilla.
4. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into a soft dough.
5. Fold in cranberries and white chocolate.
6. Scoop dough onto a sheet and bake 9–11 minutes.

Optional swaps: Swap cranberries for chopped dried cherries for extra tartness.

Spiced Hot Cocoa Cookies

Ingredients:

• ½ cup melted unsalted butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ⅓ cup mini marshmallow bits (or chopped mini marshmallows)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Stir melted butter and sugar until glossy.
3. Mix in the egg and vanilla.
4. Add flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; fold until combined.
5. Gently stir in marshmallow bits.
6. Scoop dough and bake 9–11 minutes, letting cookies set as they cool.

Optional swaps: Add a pinch of nutmeg or espresso powder for deeper cocoa flavor.

While your cookies are cooling, unwind with a little holiday fun at Cafe Casino. Explore the seasonal-themed games. Sit down and enjoy the sweetness of the season.