Christmas Cookies
A delightful and festive treat, these Christmas Cookies evoke warm holiday memories and are perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 120kcal
Ingredients
Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill
- 1 tsp baking powder Helps cookies rise
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt Enhances sweetness
- 1 cup unsalted butter Room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar Sweetens the dough
- 1 large egg Room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract Pure, Madagascar
- 1 Tbsp heavy cream Or whole milk
Royal Icing Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar For royal icing, sifted
- 1 large egg white Or 2 Tbsp meringue powder + 2–3 Tbsp water
- Food coloring gels Red, green, blue, optional
- Sanding sugar or sprinkles For decorating
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and sea salt.
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until the dough is glossy and smooth.
- Gradually add the flour mixture until just combined; do not overmix.
- Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Roll out the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface and cut into festive shapes.
Baking
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating trays halfway through.
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely for 15 to 20 minutes.
Decorating
- Whisk powdered sugar with egg white (or meringue) until glossy and stiff for royal icing.
- If desired, tint the icing with food coloring and pipe festive designs on cookies.
- Add sanding sugar or sprinkles while icing is still wet.
Notes
Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother blend. Chilling the dough is essential for ideal shape. For intricate designs, royal icing should hold a stiff peak.