Description
Festive holiday “best soft christmas cookies” bring warmth and cheer to winter gatherings. Rich butter and sweet spices meld into delightful treats that melt in your mouth, giving perfect comfort during cold seasonal celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Flour and Fat):
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
Sweeteners and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Royal Icing Ingredients:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2.3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 4.6 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
Decorative Ingredients:
- Holiday sprinkles
- Colored sugars
- Edible glitter
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Craft a luxurious cookie foundation by thoroughly blending softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture with pronounced volume and smoothness.
- Incorporate eggs and aromatic extracts, gently folding them into the creamy base to ensure uniform distribution and enhanced flavor complexity.
- Meticulously sift flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate vessel, then gradually integrate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to develop a tender, cohesive dough.
- Partition the dough into symmetrical discs, envelop each portion in protective plastic wrap, and allow them to rest and firm up in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour, which will intensify the texture and flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a pristine surface for cookie formation.
- Dust a clean work surface with a delicate layer of flour, then skillfully roll out the chilled dough to a precise quarter-inch thickness, ensuring uniform shape and consistent baking.
- Employ festive cookie cutters to sculpt intricate shapes, transferring each delicate cutout onto the prepared baking sheets with gentle precision and maintaining appropriate spacing.
- Bake the cookies until the edges acquire a subtle golden hue, approximately 8-10 minutes, signaling their perfect doneness and delicate crispness.
- Allow the freshly baked cookies to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then carefully transition them to a cooling rack, where they can achieve complete temperature equilibration.
- For those desiring elaborate decoration, whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder, gradually introducing water to create a smooth, adaptable royal icing with ideal piping consistency.
- Embellish the cooled cookies with artistic icing designs, incorporating vibrant food colorings, sparkling sprinkles, and decorative elements that celebrate the festive spirit.
- Permit the decorative icing to solidify completely, typically requiring 2-3 hours, before storing or presenting these delightful Christmas confections.
Notes
- Ensure butter is truly softened at room temperature for smoother, more even mixing without over-beating.
- Chill dough completely to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
- Use fresh baking powder to guarantee cookies rise properly and maintain a light, delicate texture.
- Experiment with alternative extracts like orange or peppermint for unique flavor variations that transform traditional Christmas cookies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg