Nothing makes the holidays sweeter than a freshly baked batch of cookies. To celebrate National Cookie Day, and in preparation for the upcoming holiday season, we’ve asked our agents to submit their favorite holiday cookie recipes that have become a treasured family tradition in their home. Read on to see each recipe and why it holds a special place in our agents’ hearts.

Snowball Cookies

Submitted by Teri Denis
@teridenisgroup

“This is a long-standing family tradition—we have baked these Snowball cookies since I was a baby. Every year, my family gets together and makes batches of these. It's fun to now carry on that same tradition with our family as it grows with all of our nieces and nephews. Not only do we love the tradition, but they are absolutely delicious too!”

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cream together: 1 cup butter (be sure to use real butter!) and 1/2 cup powdered (confectioner's) sugar. Add 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1 and 3/4 cups of all purpose flour. Blend in 6 oz of chocolate chips (either semi-sweet or milk).
Roll the dough into small balls and place one inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. If the dough seems sticky, chill for 15-20 minutes.
Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cookies should not get browned; they will look slightly under-done.
Cool the cookies and then shake the cookies in a ziplock bag filled with extra powdered sugar.

Amaretto Cookies

Submitted by Jill Hare
@jillhare_chicago

Ingredients:

1 room temperature egg white
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
1 cup almond meal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup sliced almond

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place non-stick baking paper onto oven trays.
To make the dough, manually whisk the egg white until frothy. Sift the sugar, then add almond flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir to firm paste.
Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Flour your hands and roll into small balls and press slightly to flatten. Press sliced almonds and dust sugar on top.
Bake 12-15 minutes and cool on racks.

Ting-A-Lings

Submitted by Teri Denis
@teridenisgroup

“Growing up in Minnesota (or MINNESNOWTA as we call it!) this is a Scandinavian family favorite! So easy... takes about 10-15 minutes to make. I have to hide them from my family so there's enough for holiday guests!”

Ingredients:
2 12 oz. packages of chocolate chips (milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate)
2 12 oz. packages of butterscotch chips
1 12 oz. package of chow mein noodles

Instructions:
Melt the chips in a large pot.
Once melted, add the package of chow mein noodles and stir
Drop by the spoonfuls on waxed paper and let set until chocolate hardens.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Submitted by Demeko Taylor
@lifeinrealestate312

Ingredients:
1 and 1/4 cups white chocolate chips
8 oz. macadamia nuts
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 and 1/2 sticks softened butter
1 and 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Add the butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs to a large mixing bowl and mix everything together with an electric mixer. Next, add the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder and mix until the dough is well blended. Finally, add the white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts and mix into the dough.
Scoop onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown on the top and edges.

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Submitted by Deena Schencker
@deenaschencker

Ingredients:
2/3 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 and 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sweetened, dried cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks (or white chocolate chips)

Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and mix until well combined.
In a small mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, stirring just to combine. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in 375°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.