Here’s a classic American Christmas Cookie recipe that’s festive, delicious, and perfect for the holiday season!
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
For the Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6-8 tablespoons water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. Add the milk and mix just until the dough comes together.
2. Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough in half and flatten each portion into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days). Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape.
3. Roll and Cut the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters (like stars, trees, snowflakes, or gingerbread men) to cut shapes from the dough.
- Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
4. Bake:
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Make the Royal Icing:
1. Mix the Icing:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue powder.
- Add 6 tablespoons of water and beat the mixture with an electric mixer on medium speed until the icing holds stiff peaks (about 5 minutes). If the icing is too thick, add more water 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
2. Decorate the Cookies:
- If you want to color the icing, divide it into separate bowls and add different food coloring to each.
- Using a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped, decorate your cooled cookies with the royal icing.
- Add sprinkles or other decorations before the icing dries.
- Let the cookies sit at room temperature for about 4 hours to allow the icing to fully harden.
Tips:
- Chilling the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Royal Icing Consistency: For outlining the cookies, use thicker icing. For flooding (filling in the outlines), thin the icing with a bit more water.
- Storage: Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze undecorated cookies and decorate them later.
These Christmas Sugar Cookies are perfect for decorating with family and friends. They’re great for gifting or simply enjoying during the holiday season!