Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

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Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing is a delightful way to celebrate the festive season. Imagine the wonderful aroma of baking cookies wafting through your home, bringing with it feelings of warmth and nostalgia. These cookies aren’t just any sweets—they’re soft, buttery delights adorned with a shimmering layer of easy icing that brings joy to every festive gathering. Preparing these cookies is a step-by-step process that is delightfully simple, making them perfect for family baking days or holiday celebrations. The best part? These cookies can become a cherished holiday tradition for years to come.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe offers several benefits that make it a must-try. Firstly, the preparation is easy and requires minimal fuss, making it suitable for bakers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newcomer to the kitchen, you’ll find the steps straightforward and manageable. Not only are the cookies delicious on their own, but they also provide a fantastic opportunity for family bonding as everyone can pitch in to decorate the cookies together. Additionally, the ingredients are common household staples, ensuring that you can whip these up without a last-minute grocery run. Finally, they are versatile enough to be customized with various decorations and flavors, allowing you to get creative!

Ingredients for Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

• 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of our cookies, providing the perfect structure for that soft, tender texture.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Ensures a delightful rise, keeping the cookies light and fluffy.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances flavors and helps balance the sweetness of the cookies.
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter: Adds rich creaminess that gives the cookies their melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough, ensuring a lovely contrast with the icing.
• 1 large egg: Acts as a binder, enriching the cookies and providing moisture.
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, inviting aroma that signals the holidays.
• 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional): For those who enjoy a hint of nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with vanilla.
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar: The star of the icing, creating a smooth finish.
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract for icing: Another layer of sweetness and flavor to the icing.
• 2 teaspoons light corn syrup: Ensures that the icing has just the right amount of sweetness and shine.
• 4.5–5 Tablespoons room temperature water: Helps adjust the consistency of the icing for easy decorating.
• Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness in the icing.
• Gel food coloring & sprinkles for decorating (optional): Adds a pop of color and festive flair!

Step-by-Step Directions for Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set it aside. This combination prepares the dry ingredients for later blending.

2. In a larger bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. The consistency should become light and fluffy, which is crucial for a lovely texture.

3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and, if desired, almond extract to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined, ensuring each ingredient is evenly distributed into the dough.

4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Avoid overmixing; you want the dough to remain tender.

5. Wrap the dough in parchment paper and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.

6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

7. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.

8. Bake for 11-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking, as we want them soft and chewy!

9. For the icing, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, corn syrup, and water in a bowl until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more water if needed until it’s easy to pipe or spread.

10. Once the cookies are cool, decorate them with your icing and sprinkles. Let the decorated cookies set for about 24 hours for the icing to harden properly.

11. Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and delicious.

Tips & Tricks for Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

To elevate your cookie baking game, consider these chef’s secrets:

• Ensure your butter is at room temperature for easier creaminess. You can even slightly soften it in the microwave for a few seconds if you’re in a rush (but do not melt it).
• If you want a deeper almond flavor, opt for the optional almond extract. It adds a lovely twist!
• For uniform cookies, use a ruler or measuring guide to cut your dough evenly, ensuring they bake uniformly.
• Experiment with different gel food colorings for the icing, and don’t shy away from mixing colors to create festive designs.
• When decorating, encourage kids to get creative with sprinkles and toppings. It’s a fun, engaging way to express holiday spirit!

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Christmas Sugar Cookies can be served in various delightful ways. Present them on a beautiful platter with a festive tablecloth, twinkling lights, and maybe even a hot chocolate station! For those looking to enhance the experience, pair these cookies with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of tea or coffee. You can even package them in colorful bags tied with ribbons for charming gifts. Consider including them in holiday dessert trays alongside other festive treats like gingerbread cookies or peppermint bark for an unforgettable holiday spread.

Nutritional Information

Each sugar cookie (without icing) is approximately 100 calories, making them a simple indulgence during the festive season. They contain 4 grams of fat, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 1 gram of protein. While these cookies might be indulgent, the joy they bring to your holiday gatherings is invaluable!

Storing Tips & Variations for Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last up to a week—if they last that long! If you want to create your cookies in advance, consider freezing the dough or the baked cookies. For freezing dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before rolling out.

If you’re seeking healthier swaps, consider using coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version, or substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition. You can also play with flavors by adding cocoa powder for chocolate cookies or orange zest for citrusy notes.

Conclusion for Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

Now that you have the recipe for Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing, it’s time to unleash your inner baker! These delightful cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or simply enjoying with loved ones. The step-by-step process ensures that you’ll have a fun time creating memorable cookies that taste as good as they look. Bring some flour, sugar, and holiday spirit into your kitchen today!

FAQs

1. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Alternatively, baked cookies can be stored in airtight containers for about a week.

2. What kind of cookie cutters should I use?
Any shape you love! Classic holiday shapes like stars, trees, and gingerbread men are festive options.

3. Can I freeze the decorated cookies?
Yes, but be careful as the icing might crack. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until set, then freeze. After they’ve set, you can stack them, separated by parchment paper.

4. What can I do if my icing is too runny?
If your icing is too thin, you can add more confectioners’ sugar to thicken it, or add a touch more corn syrup to make it easier to work with.

5. Can I use different extracts for flavoring?
Certainly! Feel free to experiment with different flavorings like peppermint or lemon. Just keep in mind that these might slightly alter the cookie taste, creating new and exciting treats!

Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing

Print Recipe

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Delight in these soft, buttery Christmas sugar cookies adorned with easy icing, perfect for holiday celebrations and family bonding.

• Author: catherine
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract for icing
• 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
• 4.5–5 Tablespoons room temperature water
• Pinch of salt
• Gel food coloring & sprinkles for decorating (optional)

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Instructions

1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set it aside.
2. Cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until smooth and fluffy.
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
5. Wrap the dough in parchment paper and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface and cut shapes with cookie cutters.
8. Bake for 11-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
9. Prepare the icing by whisking together confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, corn syrup, and water until smooth.
10. Once cookies are cool, decorate them with icing and sprinkles.
11. Let the decorated cookies set for about 24 hours before serving.
12. Store in an airtight container to keep fresh.

Notes

For best results, ensure butter is at room temperature and consider using measuring guides for uniform cookies.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

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