Santa is coming to the Tri-Cities soon! Now is the time to brainstorm what cookies Santa will get on his trip around the world when he stops by your house. Get ready for Santa with cookies, bakeries and supplies in the Tri-Cities. Lucky for you all, Santa’s elves told me his favorite cookie recipes and local bakeries. The elves also told me, “If they have allergies, use substitutions if they want some cookies for themselves.”
Sugar Cookies
To start this cookie tour, let’s begin with a classic — the sugar cookie. They are soft and delectable, with just the right amount of icing, and no wonder it’s one of Santa’s favorites. This recipe is by Tiffany from Don’t Waste the Crumbs. This cookie recipe is simple, fast, and efficient.
For Tiffany’s recipe, you need:
- 1/3 cup of sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups of flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- ½ + 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
For the icing, all you need is:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 3-4 teaspoons milk
Chocolate Chip Cookies
For all the chocolate lovers out there, the second cookie recipe is for the always popular chocolate chip cookies. Santa’s elves say, “Santa loves this cookie because it goes with any kind of milk.” Crispy edges are perfect for dipping. This recipe for yummy chocolate chip cookies is by Lindsay from Pinch of Yum.
For Lindsay’s recipe, you will need:
- 8 tablespoons of salted butter
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
Gingerbread Cookies
The best cookies to decorate are gingerbread cookies. Santa’s elves said, “Santa loves these cookies because he loves seeing how creative the kids get.” This recipe for gingerbread cookies is by John Kanell from Preppy Kitchen. Although this recipe might take a little while to make, it is worth it. In the end, those adorable pictures with the kids will make precious lifelong memories.
From John’s recipe, you will need:
- 3 cups of flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the royal icing:
- 2 egg whites
- 454g confectioners sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2-4 teaspoons water
There is also a video you can follow from John Kanell on YouTube. He explains each step perfectly for the best gingerbread cookies, and he even shows some tricks on how to make your gingerbread people hold a piece of candy.
Now, if you don’t favor baking, it’s alright. Lucky for you, Santa’s elves told me his favorite bakeries locally selling cookies and all are incredible choices.
Our Cookie House
8530 W Gage Blvd. Unit D, Kennewick
509.579.0520
In Kennewick, Our Cookie House was first on the list for huge cookies sure to please Santa. Using the same perfected chocolate chip cookie recipe from over twenty years ago, these cookies became famous to all cookie lovers in the Tri-Cities. The owner is definitely one to get into the Tri-Cities holiday cheer, and Santa loves holiday cheer.
Crumbl Cookies
1102 N Columbia Center Blvd., Unit B, Kennewick
509.873.3309
2665 Queensgate Dr., Richland
509.289.4267
Now with two of these bakeries in the Tri-Cities, Crumbl Cookies is becoming a big deal. Their cookies are not only known for their picture-perfect appearance but also for their taste and massive size. Santa loves Crumbl Cookies for many reasons, but the biggest is he only needs one to energize him for the next leg of his yearly trip — with a cup of milk, of course.
Viera’s Bakery
6411 Burden Blvd., Pasco
509.545.4043
430 W Lewis St., Pasco
509.546.9726
In Pasco, Viera’s Bakery has come through with their delicious baked goods. And cookie-wise, each and every single type is on the menu. Go there for one cookie, come out with four (or more!) and a concha. That’s the love of Viera’s Bakery and Santa loves them too.
Substitutions and Supplies
For those who need to make substitutions, don’t worry! Santa enjoys all cookies. He may have his favorites, but he is grateful for every single one you give him. For brands to substitute some of the ingredients in the recipes, there is a list of options.
Dairy-Free Chocolate
Gluten-Free Flours
- Pamela’s Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour
- Namaste Foods Organic Perfect Flour Blend
- Cup4Cup Gluten-Free Flour
Dairy-Free Butter
- Earth Balance
- Miyoko’s (If no nut allergies)
- Nutiva Organic Buttery Coconut Oil
Egg Substitution
Royal Icing Recipe Without Egg Whites (From Happy Food Healthy Life)
- 5 cups powdered sugar (depending on how many cookies you are making)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum or arrowroot powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup of water
- Food coloring (optional)
And as for supplies, the best places to buy these products and tools to make Santa’s cookies are:
- Fred Meyer
- Home Goods
- Highlands Organic Market
- Yokes
- TJ Maxx
- Walmart
Whether you make Santa cookies homemade or buy some from a wonderful local bakery, he is sure to mark you down as nice for leaving him out treats this holiday season. And remember, children, leave out some carrots for the reindeer. They’ll need some extra fuel to get Santa back home. Happy Holidays Tri-Cities!
