There’s just something magical about making Christmas ornament cookies that brings out the kid in all of us! The smell of warm cookies wafting through the house, the laughter of family gathered around the table, and the joy of decorating each cookie to create little edible masterpieces—it’s pure holiday bliss! I remember the first time I made these with my kids; we turned our kitchen into a festive wonderland, covered in flour and icing. We laughed, we sang carols, and we ended up with a colorful array of cookies that looked like they belonged on a tree. Trust me, these cookies are not just treats; they’re a delightful way to create cherished memories and spread holiday cheer. So, let’s get baking and make some magic together!
Ingredients for Christmas Ornament Cookies
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these festive treats! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Royal icing for decoration
- Food coloring for decoration
Make sure your butter is nice and soft—it makes a world of difference when you’re creaming it with the sugar! And don’t forget, you can get creative with your royal icing colors for an extra festive touch!
How to Prepare Christmas Ornament Cookies
Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, let’s jump right into the fun part—preparing those delightful Christmas ornament cookies! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of festive cookies ready to decorate in no time!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that our cookies bake evenly, giving them that perfect golden edge. Trust me, no one likes a cookie that’s undercooked in the middle! So, while you’re prepping, let that oven get nice and toasty.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together until they’re fully mixed. This step is super important because it helps distribute the baking soda evenly, ensuring our cookies rise beautifully. Set this bowl aside for now; we’ll come back to it shortly!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In another large bowl, it’s time to cream together our softened butter and granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat them until light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the mixture, making your cookies tender with a delightful texture. You’ll want to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to make sure everything is combined well.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla and almond extracts to your butter-sugar mixture. Mix everything together until it’s smooth and well blended. The aroma of the extracts is simply heavenly and adds a festive touch to your dough!
Step 5: Combine Mixtures
Now, it’s time to gradually add your dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. I recommend adding it in thirds, mixing on low speed until just combined after each addition. This prevents flour from flying everywhere and helps create a uniform dough consistency. You want it to be soft and slightly sticky, but not too wet!
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Once your dough is ready, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling is a game-changer, folks! It makes the dough easier to roll out and helps prevent your cookies from spreading too much while baking. So, grab a cup of cocoa and relax for a bit while you wait!
Step 7: Shape and Bake
After your dough has chilled, sprinkle a little flour on your countertop and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your favorite ornament-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the dough, and place the shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden. Your kitchen will smell like a holiday dream!
Step 8: Cool and Decorate
Once your cookies are out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. It’s important to let them cool completely before decorating with royal icing. Otherwise, the icing will melt right off! Once they’re cool, the real fun begins—get ready to unleash your creativity and decorate those adorable cookies!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Ornament Cookies
Want to take your Christmas ornament cookies to the next level? I’ve got a few pro tips that will help ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time!
- Chill Longer for Thicker Cookies: If you prefer thicker cookies, don’t hesitate to chill the dough for a bit longer, up to an hour. This extra time really helps the cookies hold their shape while baking!
- Experiment with Icing Colors: Get creative with your royal icing! Use different colors to make your cookies pop. You can even mix colors for fun gradients or patterns—think of it as your canvas!
- Use Piping Bags: For more intricate designs, consider using piping bags for your icing. This gives you better control and allows you to create beautiful details that will impress everyone!
- Sprinkle Some Magic: Before baking, sprinkle some edible glitter or colored sugar on top of your cookies for a festive sparkle. It adds a fun touch that’s sure to delight!
- Let Icing Dry Completely: Be patient and let the icing dry completely before stacking or storing your cookies. This prevents them from sticking together and keeps your decorations looking pristine!
With these tips, you’re sure to create a batch of cookies that not only taste good but also look stunning. Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Knowing the nutritional values of our delicious Christmas ornament cookies can help you enjoy them even more! Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect per cookie (this is an estimate based on standard ingredients):
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugar: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
With these cookies, you get all the festive joy wrapped up in a delightful treat! Just remember, while they’re delicious, moderation is key—so enjoy them with family and friends!
FAQ About Christmas Ornament Cookies
Got questions about making these delightful Christmas ornament cookies? I’ve got you covered with some common queries and my answers to help you on your baking journey!
How should I store my cookies?
To keep your cookies fresh and tasty, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for about a week, but trust me, they probably won’t last that long!
Can I use different types of icing?
Absolutely! While royal icing is a classic choice for decorating, you can also use buttercream or glaze if you prefer. Just keep in mind that the consistency might differ, so adjust your decorating technique accordingly!
What if I don’t have cookie cutters?
No worries if you don’t have cookie cutters on hand! You can use a glass or a knife to cut out shapes. Just be creative—your cookies can still be festive and fun, no matter the shape!
Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the cookies! Just make sure they’re completely cooled and then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them in the fridge overnight.
What are some fun decoration ideas?
Get creative with your decorations! Try adding edible glitter, sprinkles, or even small candies for extra flair. You can also use different piping techniques to create patterns or designs. The sky’s the limit when it comes to making your cookies uniquely yours!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Fun: These Christmas ornament cookies are the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit with their bright colors and fun shapes!
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, anyone can whip up a batch of these delightful cookies, regardless of baking skill.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Whether it’s a holiday party, cookie exchange, or family gathering, these cookies are sure to impress and bring joy to everyone!
- Customizable Decorations: You can let your creativity shine with different icing colors and designs, making each cookie uniquely yours!
- Great for Making Memories: Decorating these cookies with loved ones creates cherished memories that you’ll look back on fondly for years to come!
Christmas Ornament Cookies: 7 Steps to Pure Holiday Joy
- Temps Total: 1 hour
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
These Christmas ornament cookies are festive and fun to make. They are perfect for holiday gatherings and decorating.
Ingrédients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Royal icing for decoration
- Food coloring for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract to the butter mixture.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough and cut into ornament shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden.
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different colors for icing to create variety.
- Allow icing to dry completely before stacking cookies.
- Temps De Préparation: 30 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 10 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 10g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 20g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 2g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 20mg
Mots-clés: Christmas ornament cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies
