Introduction

Letters To Santa cookies are charming, festive treats perfect for the holiday season. These delicate envelope-shaped pastries filled with creamy Nutella and topped with white chocolate pearls add a whimsical touch to any cookie platter.

The image shows nine small treats shaped like folded letters arranged in a neat square grid on a white marbled texture with lined notebook paper underneath. Each treat has two visible layers: the outside golden brown pastry that is crisply baked and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, forming an envelope shape with a triangular flap. Inside each envelope is a smooth, dark chocolate filling with a glossy and rich texture. On the tip of each pastry flap is a small silver edible ball decorating the golden pastry. The overall look is warm and inviting with the light dusting giving a snowy effect, placed on a soft blue and white background with faint handwriting in pencil above and below the treats. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tbsp. granulated sugar
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 (14-oz.) refrigerated pie dough (for 2 crusts)
1/2 cup (85 g) white chocolate chips
1/2 cup Nutella
12 silver sugar pearls
1 large egg
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out one pie dough to an 11-inch round. Cut it into an 8-inch square, then cut that square into 4 equal smaller squares. Repeat this process with the second pie dough. Reroll scraps into an 8-inch square and cut out 4 more squares, for a total of 12 squares.
Step 2: Place the white chocolate chips in a small heatproof bowl. Microwave in 20-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth—about 1 minute in total.
Step 3: Rotate each square so one corner points toward you. Sprinkle each with a little cinnamon sugar. Place a heaping teaspoon of Nutella in the center. Fold the right and left corners toward the center, then fold the bottom corner up to form an envelope shape. Press lightly to seal.
Step 4: Dab a bit of the melted white chocolate where the bottom fold meets the square, then gently press a silver sugar pearl onto the chocolate to make it stick. Arrange the folded cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
Step 5: Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush each cookie gently with the egg wash.
Step 6: Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Once cool, dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar for a festive finish.

Tips & Variations

For a nut-free version, substitute Nutella with sunflower seed butter or a fruit jam of your choice.
Use colored sugar pearls to match different holiday themes or add edible glitter for extra sparkle.
Be gentle when folding and sealing the dough to prevent tearing and leakage of filling.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in a warm oven to refresh the crispness if desired.

How to Serve

A white plate with a red rim holds five square pastries folded at the corners to form a diamond shape, each filled with a smooth, dark brown chocolate center. The golden-brown pastries have a slightly crisp, textured surface dusted with a light sprinkle of white powdered sugar. Each pastry is decorated with a small silver pearl where two corners meet. Next to the pastries on the plate is a white bowl with a red rim, filled with plain white milk. The scene is set on a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pie dough instead of refrigerated dough?

Yes, homemade pie dough works perfectly and can add a nice, flaky texture. Just make sure it is well chilled before rolling and cutting the squares.

What can I use if I don’t have silver sugar pearls?

If you don’t have silver sugar pearls, you can use small sprinkles, nonpareils, or omit them entirely—the cookies will still be delicious and lovely.