Description
Festive Christmas Cookies bring holiday cheer with their delightful blend of warm spices and sweet memories. Crisp edges and tender centers invite family and friends to savor classic comfort that connects generations around the seasonal table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 3/4 cups (472 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie preparation.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl to create a uniform dry ingredient blend.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, incorporating eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts until smooth.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk, and mix until a cohesive dough forms. Refrigerate for 30 minutes if the dough feels too sticky.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness, using festive cookie cutters to create seasonal shapes.
- Carefully transfer cookie shapes onto prepared baking sheets, ensuring even spacing.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of doneness. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
- Prepare a smooth icing by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Optional: Add food coloring for decorative flair.
- Once cookies have completely cooled, decorate with icing using a spread or piping technique and embellish with festive sprinkles.
Notes
- Chill the dough before rolling to prevent sticking and make cutting shapes easier.
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
- Dust rolling pin and surface lightly with flour to avoid dough becoming tough.
- Swap almond extract with more vanilla or orange zest for different flavor profiles.
- For gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft and tender; remove when edges are just golden.
- Store decorated cookies in single layers between parchment paper to preserve design.
- Freeze unbaked cookie dough for up to 3 months for quick holiday baking later.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 141 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 74 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg