Christmas Cookies
Soft, buttery, and perfectly festive, these cookies are ideal for decorating and sharing.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the DoughIn a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and mix until combined.Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Step 2: Chill the DoughDivide the dough in half, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step helps the dough hold its shape during baking.
- Step 3: Roll and CutPreheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to create your desired shapes.
- Step 4: BakePlace the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Step 5: DecorateMix powdered sugar, milk, and extract to create the icing. Divide into bowls and add food coloring as desired. Use piping bags or a spoon to decorate your cookies. Let the icing set for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for clean-cut shapes.
- Adjust the icing consistency with more milk (thinner) or powdered sugar (thicker).
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.