As the year comes to a close and the holiday season rings in, we want to take a moment to pause our usual real estate tips, updates, and recommendations.

We are weeks away from Christmas, so we thought we’d like to share something more personal, something that we actually enjoy at our very own home. This year, our team is celebrating traditions, family memories, and of course… cookies. 🍪✨

These are the recipes we look forward to every year. Made with love, sprinkled with holiday spirit, and in many cases, passed down through generations, they’re the kind of treats that make a kitchen feel warm, festive, and full of joy.

Josh's – Holly Cookies 🎄

🧾Ingredients:

½ cup butter
30 large marshmallows
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp green food colouring
3 ½ cups corn flakes
Red Hots candies for the “berries”


👩‍🍳 Instructions: 

In a large pot, melt the butter and marshmallows over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add vanilla extract and food coloring. Stir in the corn flakes. Drop spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet or wax paper. Place 2-3 Red Hots on each bunch as “berries,” pressing slightly so they stick. Let sit until cool. 

Jenna's – Snickerdoodles 🍪

🧾 Ingredients:

½  cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup shortening
1 ½ cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 ¾ cups flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
Cinnamon
Sugar
Sprinkles


👩‍🍳Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400F. Mix butter, shortening, eggs and sugar on medium speed thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt until well blended. Slowly add dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing on low until a dough forms. Refrigerate dough for at least 20 minutes to thoroughly chill. 

In a small bowl, prepare the sugar or sprinkle coating, by mixing 2 tsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp sugar for a classic flavor or use sprinkles or colored sugar for a fun treat.

Shape dough into little balls then roll in the cinnamon sugar mix or your favorite sprinkles. Place on your baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire baking rack. 

Renee's – Grandma’s Peanut Butter Cookies 🥜

🧾 Ingredients

½  cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup shortening
½  cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 ¼ cups flour
¾ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375F. In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, shortening, sugar, brown sugar, and egg. Mix until smooth. Blend in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill. Shape dough into teaspoon size balls, spacing 3 inches apart on your baking sheet. Use a fork dipped in flour to flatten and make the classic criss-cross marks on the top.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Allow to cool a few minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.

Lowie's – Chocolate Crinkle Cookies 🍫

🧾 Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup canola oil 
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and oil. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until smooth and glossy. Stir in cocoa powder until fully combined. The mixture will be thick. Mix in baking powder, salt, and flour until just combined. Do not overmix!! Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This step is key to preventing flat cookies. 

Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Roll first in granulated sugar (optional but recommended), then generously in powdered sugar. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until tops are crackled and centers look slightly soft. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

⭐ Aunt’s Pro Tips

Rolling in granulated sugar first helps keep the powdered sugar bright white.
Don’t overbake; they firm up as they cool.
For extra richness, add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough.

We love helping our clients buy and sell homes all year long. The holidays remind us why home matters so much in the first place. It’s where traditions are made, recipes are shared, and memories are built. This is our little way to remember that.

While you’re here, be sure to check out our other blogs — we share helpful tips and real-world advice for buyers, sellers, and homeowners alike, whether you’re planning a move soon or just staying informed.

From our team to yours, we hope your holiday season is filled with good food, great company, and maybe a few extra cookies 💛

Happy baking & happy holidays,
The Voyles Realty Group