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Magic 5 Cookies, Holiday Edition Recipe


  • Author: lilan
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: About 24 cookies 1x

Description

These Magic 5 Cookies, Holiday Edition, are a deliciously chewy and festive treat that combine warm cinnamon-spiced oats with festive mix-ins like white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these cookies have a lovely soft center and a lightly crisp edge, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups (255g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon (15ml) unsulphured or dark molasses (optional, do not use blackstrap molasses)

Mix-ins

  • 1/2 cup (90g) white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup (60g) dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup (40g) sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup (64g) chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, and old-fashioned rolled oats until fully combined. Set this mixture aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed. Continue mixing until the mixture is smooth and creamy, approximately 2 minutes.
  3. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add the two large eggs one at a time and beat on high speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing. Then add the pure vanilla extract and optional molasses, beating on high until everything is incorporated.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Mix just until the dough is combined. While mixer is still on low, add the white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Mix until evenly distributed. The dough will be thick and sticky.
  5. Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 1 hour, which helps it firm up and develop flavor. For longer chilling (up to 2-3 days), keep stored in an airtight container. Before baking after extended chilling, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to soften, ensuring the cookies will spread properly.
  6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
  7. Form Cookies: Using a medium cookie scoop or tablespoon measure (approximately 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie), roll dough into balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow space for spreading.
  8. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. The centers should remain soft and appear a bit undercooked.
  9. Cool and Finish: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes to set. Then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. For a decorative touch, gently press a few extra white chocolate chips onto the tops of the cookies while they are still warm.

Notes

  • Do not use blackstrap molasses; unsulphured or dark molasses is preferred for the best flavor.
  • Chilling the dough improves texture but let it soften slightly after refrigeration for easier scooping and better spreading.
  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
  • Cookies will be soft in the center when removed from the oven; they firm up as they cool.
  • Feel free to customize the mix-ins with nuts or dried fruits of your choice.
  • This recipe yields cookies with a delightful balance of chewy oats and festive flavors, perfect for holiday celebrations.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-11 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Holiday cookies, oatmeal cookies, white chocolate chip cookies, cranberry cookies, pecan cookies, festive cookies, chewy cookies