California Christmas Gold Cookies Recipe

Name: California Christmas Gold Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup butter; 1 cup sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon grated orange zest; 2 eggs; 3/4 cup finely grated Mexican hot chocolate (I used Abuelita brand); 2 cups flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste); 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped; 3/4 cup candied orange peel, diced; 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate minichips; gold sugar crystals, for sprinkling (optional)

Servings: persons

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
2 eggs
3/4 cup finely grated Mexican hot chocolate (I used Abuelita brand)
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
3/4 cup candied orange peel, diced
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate minichips
gold sugar crystals, for sprinkling (optional)

1
["Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a standing mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, orange zest, and eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in the Mexican chocolate.", "In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa, espresso powder, cinnamon and cayenne. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until completely blended. Stir in the pecans, orange peel, and chocolate minichips until evenly combined.", "Chill dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes, so that it becomes easier to shape into balls. This also keeps the cookies from spreading quite as much when baking. Using a teaspoon-size cookie scoop, scoop generous balls of dough, and roll them between your palms. Place on cookie sheets lined with parchment (or Silpats), 2"" apart.", "Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with gold sugar crystals. Cool cookie sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes, then remove cookies from sheets and cool completely on the racks. Store in airtight containers (Note: I put 1/4 fresh apple in the container with the cookies, which keeps them soft and chewy. If you prefer your cookies crisp, leave the apple out)."]

1558

kcal

Calories

Fat

162

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 17 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon grated orange zest, and more.

Yes, California Christmas Gold Cookies falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

California Christmas Gold Cookies

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions