Chocolate Chip Allspice Cookies for Santa
There are plenty of Christmas cookies I adore, but this is one of my all-time favorites. This Christmas cookie recipe came to me from one of my aunts, and I’m thankful for it every time I get to see my family’s delight as they enjoy them. They’re so high in demand, I always make a double batch from the get-go. In fact, fighting over them has become a tradition at our house!
With a whole cup of coffee in the batter, this chocolate chip allspice cookie recipe will keep Santa ready for a busy night delivering gifts! They’re also a wonderful late-night treat for parents and caregivers staying up late to help Santa with last-minute gift wrapping! So get that coffee maker going—we’re making cookies!
What is allspice and where does it come from?
Allspice is—you guessed it—a spice. Native to the Caribbean, Southern Mexico, and Central America, allspice is made from the dried unripe berry of the Pimenta dioica tree. It is sometimes referred to as Jamaican pepper, myrtle pepper, or even just pimento (like the tree’s scientific name) in some regions.
What does allspice taste like?
The taste of allspice is reminiscent of clove, star anise, nutmeg, fennel, and black pepper. It’s definitely a key ingredient in these cookies because of the multidimensional flavor notes it provides.
How do you use allspice?
Allspice is commonly used in holiday recipes and might be mistaken for pumpkin spice or Chinese five-spice because of its complex flavor. In my experience, the most common use of allspice is in baking. It is also used in savory recipes like pickles, marinades, rubs, and barbecue!
Santa’s cookie needs a little coffee to help him stay awake for all of his deliveries!
My allspice cookies have chocolate chips, lovely aromatic allspice, and a whole cup of freshly-brewed (and cooled) coffee in them. These three flavors go so well together—truly a match made in heaven. Add a simple confectioners' sugar glaze on top and you have the perfect holiday cookie. In my humble opinion, this might be the best allspice chocolate chip cookie recipe you’ll ever find!
Is there caffeine in these cookies?
Yes, there is some caffeine in these cookies. A regular cup of coffee has around 95 milligrams of caffeine, but this amount is spread over three dozen cookies. That comes out to around 2.36 milligrams per cookie. It’s actually a pretty negligible amount of caffeine—Santa might like a cup of coffee on the side, now that I’m thinking about it.
Can my kids eat cookies with coffee in them?
Although the coffee content of these homemade cookies is minimal, you can always swap out the regular coffee with some decaf for the kiddos, especially if they don’t usually consume caffeine. That way everyone can safely indulge in a few cookies to celebrate Christmas Eve!
Decorating cookies: A pastime for the whole family to enjoy.
When my kids were growing up, making cookies together and putting them out for Santa was such a wholesome part of Christmastime. Oh, I miss those days sometimes! If you’d like to get the little ones involved, this simple drop cookie recipe is very easy to throw together. The end result is moist and soft, and the walnuts add a perfect crunch. They’re delicious with a simple glaze, but they’re also easy and fun to decorate.
Set up a few bowls or drizzle bottles, throw on some aprons, and don’t be afraid to get messy! I prefer to dunk each cookie into the glaze and lightly swipe off the excess with my fingers before setting them on a rack to dry. Another fun option is to drizzle stripes or zigzags over the tops of the cookies (or whatever designs the kiddos want to try). You could even add a drop of food coloring to the glaze if you like!
Can you make allspice cookies ahead of time?
You can absolutely make and freeze these cookies ahead of time. Simply bake them and then cool them completely before storing them in the freezer in an airtight bag or container. The only part that needs a little planning is to defrost and glaze them a day or two before serving. I do not recommend frosting the cookies before freezing them, because the glaze adds moisture and things can get messy when they thaw.
More Homemade Cookie Recipes to Enjoy this Holiday Season
The holidays in my household are filled with tradition. Every Christmas, I bake and give away thousands of cookies (around 50 varieties every year!) to all our family and friends. I break out my KitchenAid as early as the end of summer and start getting cookie dough ready for the holiday season. Here are some of my most-requested holiday cookie recipes. I highly recommend making your own cookie platters for a distinctive holiday gift!
Want More Christmas Cookies Recipes?
For the bakers and cookie lovers in your life, my cookie cookbook makes a wonderful holiday gift.
My cookbook, A Gift of Cookies: Recipes to Share with Family & Friends, is filled with family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. In fact, the book is so special to me that I donate 100% of the proceeds to local children's charities. I hope you enjoy making these recipes for your family and friends as much as I do. If you’d like a little added elegance, the deluxe gift set version might be just what you’re looking for. With gilded edges and a luxurious designer box, this gift is unique among cookbooks and is sure to be loved. Make sure to check out my other luxurious gift sets while you browse the boutique, too!
Chocolate Chip Allspice Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong coffee
- 3 ounces Baker’s unsweetened chocolate (12 pieces), melted
- 1 cup (8 ounces) butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, well beaten
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon allspice
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 pound of confectioners’ sugar (approximately 3½ cups)
- 6 to 8 tablespoons milk or water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy.
- Next, beat in the sugar and add the eggs one at a time.
- Add the melted chocolate and coffee and beat to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and allspice.
- Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips.
- Using a teaspoon-sized cookie scoop, drop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake your cookies for approximately 15 minutes and allow them to cool completely before you glaze them.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar with enough milk or water to make a glaze. Frost the cookies and transfer them to drying racks. Once the glaze is set, they’re ready to enjoy!
