With macadamia nut butter, macadamia nuts, and macadamia nut oil.
Christmas must be the most nostalgic time of the year.
It’s a time to reunite, return home, and remember the warmth and traditions. Memories from childhood can be in the smell of baking, in songs and Christmas carols, and in the excitement of giving and unwrapping thoughtful presents.
The perfect gift and warm addition to any home this Christmas is homemade cookies. These white chocolate macadamia nut cookies also make thoughtful presents for friends and family during the festive season. We’ve put together a recipe that is full of both nostalgia and a star ingredient that stands out in its exotic uniqueness.
At the centre of this Christmas cookie recipe: macadamia nut butter and macadamia nut oil - two forms of macadamia nuts that bring a naturally buttery flavor and luxurious, chewy texture. White chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a story that makes them genuinely special. Some bakers even use brown butter to add a nutty, rich flavor to their cookies, making them even more nostalgic for the holidays.
These cookies are absolutely delicious, better than Christmas cake, and sure to impress anyone who tries them.
Why Bake Christmas Cookies with Macadamia Nuts?
Macadamia nuts are one of the most underrated ingredients.
Naturally creamy and high in monounsaturated fats, macadamia nuts bring richness without heaviness. When used whole, chopped, or blended into macadamia nut butter, they create cookies that are chewy and deeply satisfying. Pressed into macadamia nut oil, they add even more buttery flavor while being the healthiest oil choice.
In a Christmas cookie recipe, macadamia nuts:
- Add a buttery texture without needing excess dairy
- Balance sweetness, especially when paired with sugar-free chocolate butters
- Feel festive and indulgent without being overly sweet
They’re familiar enough to feel comforting - yet uncommon enough to feel special.
Why Use Macadamia Oil in Christmas Cookies?
Most Christmas cookie recipes rely on butter or conventional oils. Macadamia nut oil offers a wellness upgrade, providing a heart-healthy and vegan-friendly ingredient option. Here is our cold-pressed Extra Virgin macadamia oil, which has a high smoke point of 450F.
A Naturally Buttery Baking Oil
Macadamia nut oil has a subtle, neutral-buttery flavor that works beautifully in cookies. It enhances vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate rather than overpowering them.
Macadamia Nut Oil Health Benefits
Macadamia nut oil is:
- High in monounsaturated fats
- Lowest linoleic acid (fats found in seed oils)
- Stable at higher baking temperatures, to avoid burning on your baking sheets
This makes it ideal for Christmas cookies that aim to be indulgent, but still ingredient-conscious. Macadamia nut oil is filled with even more healthy fats than olive oil or avocado oil, yet has a neutral buttery flavor ideal for baking. Macadamia nut oil is also rich in Omega-7s which naturally boost collagen - and who doesn't want to receive the gift of glowy skin?
The macadamia nut oil result? A healthier touch and cookies that stay soft, rich, and moist - even days after baking.
A Christmas Cookie with a Story
Macadamias carry nostalgia.
For many people, macadamia nuts are reminiscent of holidays to Hawaii with chocolatey macadamias on hotel pillows, in shops, and small bags of nuts brought home for friends and family. They feel exotic, warm, and celebratory.
What’s less well known is that many premium macadamia nuts are grown in South Africa, where ideal conditions produce exceptionally creamy, high-quality nuts. Macadamia nut oil is cold-pressed close to farms, for freshness.
That blend of nostalgia and origin gives these Christmas cookies depth. They aren’t just delicious - they mean something.
It’s also a cherished tradition to leave cookies and milk out for Santa on Christmas Eve night, adding to the magic and anticipation of the holiday.
Why These Make the Perfect Christmas Cookies to Gift
These Christmas cookies stand out because they're different, and have a touch of intentional wellness.
- Made with macadamia nut oil instead of seed oils
- Packed with quality macadamia nuts
- Filled or topped with America's first white chocolate sugar-free macadamia butter
- Soft, buttery, and not overly sweet
Easily adjustable to different diets. It's such a thoughtful and personal act to make something especially for someone with a dietary restriction. Both chocolate butters are sugar-free, vegan/dairy-free, and gluten-free.
They’re easy to package, store well, and feel elevated without being fragile or fussy. Wrapped in parchment paper and tied with string, they become a Christmas present people genuinely appreciate - and remember.
This cookie recipe are also perfect to grab with a glass of milk for a cozy holiday treat. For an elegant finishing touch before gifting, the cookies can be drizzled with macadamia nut butter.
Gluten-Free Options for Christmas Macadamia Nut Christmas Cookies
Making your White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Christmas Cookies gluten free is easy, and ensures that everyone can enjoy the sweet, buttery flavor of this holiday favorite. With just a few thoughtful swaps, you can create a batch of cookies that are just as soft, chewy, and absolutely delicious as the original recipe - without any gluten.
Start by replacing the traditional flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend. Almond flour or coconut flour are also great options, each adding their own subtle flavor and texture to the cookie dough. Be sure to use gluten-free baking soda, and always check that your macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips are processed in a gluten-free facility to avoid any cross-contamination. For an extra boost of structure and chewiness, a pinch of xanthan gum can work wonders in gluten-free baking.
If you’re looking for a shortcut, a store bought gluten-free cookie mix can be a great recipe base - just fold in plenty of chopped macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips. Don’t forget a splash of vanilla extract to round out the taste.
When baking gluten-free cookies, the dough may be a bit softer or more delicate than traditional dough. If needed, chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before to help the cookies hold their shape. Once baked, let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack to set their texture.
For storage, keep your gluten-free cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze the made cookies or raw dough balls for a quick, fresh batch whenever the holiday craving strikes.
To make your gluten-free cookies extra special, try drizzling a little macadamia nut oil over the top or finishing with a sprinkle of sea salt right after taking them out the oven. This simple touch adds a beautiful shine and enhances the sweet, nutty flavors in every bite.
With these easy gluten-free options, you can bake a batch of White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Christmas Cookies that are safe, festive, and filled with all the delicious taste and holiday magic you love.
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Christmas Cookies Recipe
This recipe builds on the original recipe for white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, with a few special upgrades. It is a refined take on the classic white chocolate macadamia nut cookie, using macadamia nut oil for softness, macadamia nuts for texture, and white chocolate macadamia nut butter as a gooey centre or finishing touch. The cookies are soft and gooey, with a texture reminiscent of cake, making them especially decadent.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients
Fold-Ins
- ½ cup chopped macadamia nuts (with or without salt)
- ⅓–½ cup white chocolate chips or chunks
- Optional: ¼ cup macadamia white choc butter for extra sweetness
For the Gooey Centre or Topping
Method
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Preheat a preheated oven to 175°C (350°F). Line two baking trays with baking sheets.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and sea salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix macadamia nut oil and sugar until smooth.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, stirring until fully combined.
- Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just incorporated.
- Gently stir in chopped macadamia nuts and white chocolate.
To make these classic drop cookies, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each for spreading. A little macadamia nut oil beneath each cookie dough ball can help to reduce sticking
If adding a white chocolate macadamia nut butter centre, make sure the filling is thick for best results.
When baking, the cookies will spread slightly, so leave enough space between them on the tray to achieve the desired cookie consistency.
For a Gooey White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Butter Centre
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Scoop one tablespoon of dough, flatten slightly, add ½ teaspoon white chocolate macadamia nut butter to the centre, then cover with a second tablespoon of dough. Seal gently.
For a Topping
Alternatively, bake cookies plain and spoon warm white chocolate macadamia nut butter over the top once baked.
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Place dough balls on trays, lightly flattening the tops.
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Bake in the oven for 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centres remain soft.
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Cool on the oven tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Texture & Flavour Notes
These Christmas cookies are:
- Soft and tender in the centre
- Lightly crisp at the edges from macadamia nut oil
- Rich without being heavy
- Naturally buttery from macadamia nut oil
The recipe balances flavor and texture, with just the right amount of sweetness and nuttiness in every bite.
The white chocolate macadamia nut butter melts into the cookie, creating pockets of sweetness that balance the nuttiness and browned butter from the crispier baked edges.
If you have any leftover macadamia nut butter, try adding to your blender or stirring into smoothies for a creamy, nutty boost. Macadamia nut oil is ideal for cooking, roasting, or drizzling raw for a healthy boost of Omega-7s and good fats.
Tips for Perfect Macadamia Nut Christmas Cookies
- Use room-temperature ingredients for even mixing
- Don’t overbake - soft centres are key
- Chill dough briefly if your kitchen is warm
- Choose sugar-free macadamia nut butter for balance
- For ideal texture, use an equal amount of brown sugar and coconut sugar in the dough
- Use macadamia nut oil instead of seed oils or vegetable fats
- For a festive touch, decorate the cookies with a simple frosting or royal icing and sprinkles
Macadamia nut oil helps keep these cookies moist even after cooling, making them ideal for baking ahead.
Storage & Gifting
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months
- Cookie dough can be shaped into balls, frozen, and baked fresh later, or packaged as ready-to-bake treats for gifting
For gifting, layer cookies with parchment, add a handwritten note, and share the story behind the macadamia nuts - people love knowing why something tastes different.
A Christmas Cookie Recipe Worth Repeating
Christmas food is all about indulgence. When it comes to cookies, you don't get more indulgent than the sweetness of brown sugar mixed with the butteriness of macadamia nut oil.
By baking with macadamia nuts, macadamia nut oil, and white chocolate macadamia nut butter, you keep everything comforting about a classic Christmas cookie recipe - while quietly improving the ingredients and the experience.
These are cookies made to be shared, gifted, and baked again next year. With every bite, these white chocolate macadamia nut cookies bring together the best holiday flavors, making them a unique festive favorite for the season.
