Ekani Ella Mary Berry Christmas cookies are classic festive treats with a crisp edge, soft centre, and a gentle sweetness that feels just right for the holiday season. These cookies are lightly flavoured, easy to shape, and perfect for decorating, gifting, or serving alongside a warm drink. Made with simple baking ingredients and prepared using an oven-baking method, they come together quickly and suit both experienced bakers and beginners during busy Christmas days.
What Are Mary Berry Christmas Cookies?
Mary Berry’s Christmas cookies are traditional British-style biscuits made from a buttery dough that holds its shape well when baked. They are often cut into festive shapes or baked as simple rounds and can be left plain or lightly decorated. The focus is on a balanced flavour, tender crumb, and reliable texture rather than overly sweet or heavy cookies.
Other Popular Mary Berry Christmas Recipes
Why This Recipe Is Worth Trying
- Perfect festive bake – Ideal for Christmas platters and gifts
- Simple dough – Easy to handle and shape
- Kid-friendly recipe – Great for baking together
- Keeps well – Stays fresh for days when stored properly
- Versatile finish – Plain, iced, or lightly dusted with sugar
Essential Ingredients to Make Mary Berry Christmas Cookies
- Unsalted butter – 175 g, softened
- Caster sugar – 100 g
- Egg – 1 large
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- Plain flour – 275 g
- Baking powder – ½ teaspoon
- Pinch of salt
Handy Kitchen Tools for Best Results
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric hand mixer or wooden spoon
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking trays
- Baking parchment
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Mary Berry Christmas Cookies
- Preheat the oven – Set the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line baking trays with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar – Beat the softened butter and caster sugar together until pale and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla – Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine dry ingredients – In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Form the dough – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the dough – Wrap the dough and chill for 20–30 minutes to make rolling easier.
- Roll and cut – Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 5 mm thickness and cut into shapes.
- Bake the cookies – Place on the trays and bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool completely – Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool before decorating or storing.
What I Got Wrong (And How I Fixed It)
- Cookies spread too much – Skipping chilling caused this; chilling fixed it.
- Overbrowned edges – Baking too long was the issue, so I checked earlier.
- Dry texture – Too much flour caused dryness; measuring accurately helped.
- Uneven baking – Rotating trays halfway improved consistency.
Healthier Version of Mary Berry Christmas Cookies
- Reduced sugar option – Cut sugar by 20 g without affecting texture
- Smaller cookie sizes – Naturally lowers calorie intake
- Light icing – Decorate sparingly instead of heavy frosting
Ingredient Substitutions for Mary Berry Christmas Cookies
- Caster sugar – Granulated sugar if needed
- Vanilla extract – Almond or orange extract for festive flavour
- Butter – Plant-based butter for a dairy-free version
Pairing Ideas: What to Serve With Mary Berry Christmas Cookies
- Hot tea or coffee – A classic pairing
- Hot chocolate – Perfect for festive evenings
- Cookie gift boxes – Ideal homemade presents
- Dessert platters – Mix with other festive bakes
Expert Tips to Make Perfect Mary Berry Christmas Cookies
- Chill the dough – Helps cookies hold shape
- Roll evenly – Ensures even baking
- Watch closely – Cookies bake quickly
- Use parchment paper – Prevents sticking
- Cool fully before decorating – Icing sets better
- Store airtight – Keeps cookies crisp
Creative Ways to Customize Mary Berry Christmas Cookies
- Spiced dough – Add cinnamon or mixed spice
- Chocolate-dipped edges – Simple and festive
- Zest addition – Orange or lemon zest brightens the flavour
- Decorated tops – Use icing pens or sprinkles
Storing Mary Berry Christmas Cookies the Right Way
- Room temperature storage – Keep in an airtight container for up to 7 days
- Layer with parchment – Prevents sticking
- Freeze-baked cookies – Up to 1 month without icing
How to Reheat Mary Berry Christmas Cookies (If Needed)
Reheating is not necessary. If you want a fresh-baked feel, warm briefly in a low oven for a few minutes and cool before serving.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~95 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~12 g
- Fats: ~4 g
- Protein: ~1.5 g
- Sugar: ~5 g
Mary Berry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Mary Berry’s Christmas cookies are traditional British-style biscuits made from a buttery dough that holds its shape well when baked. They are often cut into festive shapes or baked as simple rounds and can be left plain or lightly decorated. The focus is on a balanced flavour, tender crumb, and reliable texture rather than overly sweet or heavy cookies.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 12
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
-
Unsalted butter – 175 g, softened
-
Caster sugar – 100 g
-
Egg – 1 large
-
Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
-
Plain flour – 275 g
-
Baking powder – ½ teaspoon
-
Pinch of salt
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven – Set the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line baking trays with parchment paper.
-
Cream butter and sugar – Beat the softened butter and caster sugar together until pale and creamy.
-
Add the egg and vanilla – Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
-
Combine dry ingredients – In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
-
Form the dough – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
-
Chill the dough – Wrap the dough and chill for 20–30 minutes to make rolling easier.
-
Roll and cut – Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 5 mm thickness and cut into shapes.
-
Bake the cookies – Place on the trays and bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden at the edges.
-
Cool completely – Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool before decorating or storing.
FAQs
Why do Christmas cookies lose their shape while baking?
This usually happens when the dough is too warm. Chilling the dough for at least 20–30 minutes before rolling helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading in the oven.
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made up to 48 hours in advance and stored in the fridge, tightly wrapped. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling so it is easier to work with.
How do I stop Christmas cookies from overbrowning?
Bake the cookies on the middle shelf and remove them as soon as the edges turn lightly golden. Cookies continue to firm up as they cool, so avoid waiting for deep colour.
When is the best time to decorate Christmas cookies?
Decorate only after the cookies have cooled completely. Warm cookies can cause icing or decorations to melt and slide off.
Wrapping It Up
Mary Berry’s Christmas cookies are a festive baking staple that never feels complicated or overdone. With a soft buttery texture and endless decorating options, they bring warmth and tradition to Christmas baking and are always welcome on the holiday table.
