Christmas Cookies: A Festive Recipe for the Holidays

Christmas cookies are a beloved holiday tradition, perfect for baking with family and friends or gifting to loved ones. This recipe produces soft, buttery cookies that can be beautifully decorated with icing and sprinkles, making them a festive centerpiece for your dessert table. Whether you’re an experienced baker or trying your hand at holiday cookies for the first time, this guide will walk you through creating the perfect batch of Christmas cheer.

What Are Christmas Cookies?

These classic sugar cookies are sweet, buttery, and versatile, making them ideal for cutting into festive shapes. Decorated with icing and sprinkles, they’re as delightful to look at as they are to eat. The dough is easy to work with, and the recipe includes simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Beginner-Friendly: Straightforward steps make it easy for anyone to bake.
• Customizable: Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter for a personal touch.
• Perfect for Gifting: A beautiful and delicious homemade holiday treat.
• Great for Kids: Fun to cut and decorate together as a family activity.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Icing:

• 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
• Food coloring and sprinkles (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Dough

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Shaping the Cookies

6. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness.
7. Use festive cookie cutters to cut shapes (stars, trees, snowflakes, etc.) and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between cookies.

Baking

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorating

10. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and the vanilla or almond extract until smooth. Add an additional tablespoon of milk if needed for a spreadable consistency.
11. Divide the icing into bowls and mix in food coloring as desired.
12. Use a piping bag, a spoon, or a knife to decorate the cookies. Add sprinkles or edible glitter before the icing sets.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your decorated Christmas cookies with a warm mug of hot chocolate or spiced cider. These cookies also make thoughtful gifts when packaged in festive tins or cellophane bags tied with ribbons.

Storing and Freezing

Storage Tips

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To prevent icing from smudging, layer cookies with sheets of parchment paper.

Freezing Instructions

• Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking.
• Baked Cookies: Freeze undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Decorate after thawing.

Recipe Variations

• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Vegan: Substitute butter with vegan margarine, and use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2½ tbsp water).
• Almond Flavor: Replace vanilla extract with almond extract in the dough and icing for a nutty twist.
• Spiced Cookies: Add ½ tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.

What’s the best way to prevent the dough from sticking?
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. If the dough becomes too soft, refrigerate it for 15 minutes.

How can I make the icing thicker or thinner?
Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or more milk to thin.

This Christmas cookie recipe is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays. With their soft texture, sweet icing, and endless decorating possibilities, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite. Try them today, and don’t forget to share your creations with friends and family. Happy baking!

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