Ah, the holidays! There’s just something magical about the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house, isn’t there? Every year, I gather with my family, dusting flour on our noses and laughter filling the air, as we whip up batches of delightful royal icing Christmas cookies. These cookies are not just treats; they’re a canvas for creativity and a way to share love during the festive season. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like the joy of decorating these cookies with loved ones, each one becoming a unique masterpiece. Whether it’s a snowman, a Christmas tree, or a festive star, each cookie tells a story and brings us all together. So, let’s dive in and make some delicious memories this holiday season!
Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to create these festive royal icing Christmas cookies. Make sure your butter is softened for easy mixing, and don’t skip the meringue powder for that perfect icing consistency! Here’s the breakdown:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (sifted for lightness)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted to avoid lumps)
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6 tablespoons water (for icing)
Gather these ingredients, and you’ll be ready to create cookie magic!
How to Prepare Royal Icing Christmas Cookies
Preparing the Cookie Dough
Let’s get started on that delicious cookie dough! First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot when your cookies are ready. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, and give it a whisk to mix everything together. In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes a few minutes, so don’t rush! Once that’s done, beat in your egg, vanilla, and almond extract until everything is well combined. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until you have a smooth dough. If it’s a little sticky, don’t worry; it will come together beautifully once you roll it out.
Baking the Cookies
Now comes the fun part! Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes—think Christmas trees, stars, and gingerbread men! Place your cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and pop them in the oven for about 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they’re ready when the edges are just starting to turn a lovely golden brown. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. It’s important they cool completely before we get to the icing!
Making Royal Icing
While your cookies are cooling, it’s time to whip up the royal icing! In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add the water, mixing on low until everything is combined. Once mixed, increase the speed and beat until the icing is glossy and holds stiff peaks. This consistency is key for decorating—if it’s too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, just a splash more water will do the trick!
Decorating the Cookies
Now for the best part—decorating! I recommend using a piping bag for detailed designs; it makes it so much easier to control the flow of icing. You can also use a small round tip for fine lines. Have fun with it! Create festive patterns, write names, or just go wild with colors. Remember, let the icing dry completely before stacking your cookies, or you’ll end up with a sticky mess. Patience is key here, but trust me, the results will be worth it! Enjoy your beautifully decorated royal icing Christmas cookies!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for one of these delightful royal icing Christmas cookies. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary slightly based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes. Each cookie packs around 150 calories, with about 6 grams of fat, 10 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein. You’ll also find approximately 22 grams of carbohydrates and 50 mg of sodium. So, while these cookies are a delicious treat during the holidays, it’s good to enjoy them in moderation and share the joy with friends and family!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun holiday activity for families: Baking these cookies together is a wonderful way to bond and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
- Customizable designs for a personal touch: You can let your creativity shine, whether it’s festive patterns or whimsical characters, making each cookie unique!
- Perfect for gifting and sharing: These beautifully decorated cookies make delightful gifts for friends, neighbors, or anyone you want to spread holiday cheer to.
- Delicious taste to enjoy during the holidays: With a buttery base and sweet royal icing, these cookies are a treat that everyone will love during the festive season!
Tips for Success
Alright, let’s make sure your royal icing Christmas cookies turn out perfectly! First, when measuring flour, fluff it up and spoon it into your measuring cup—this prevents dense cookies. Also, remember to let your butter soften at room temperature; it makes mixing a breeze. Don’t rush the cooling time; if you ice warm cookies, the icing will melt and run. And speaking of icing, keep a damp cloth over your bowl while decorating to prevent it from drying out. Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with colors and designs—each cookie is a chance to show off your creativity!
Serving Suggestions
These royal icing Christmas cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings! Serve them alongside a warm cup of cocoa or spiced apple cider for that cozy winter vibe. You could also pair them with a platter of assorted holiday treats, like gingerbread or peppermint bark, to create a festive dessert table. For a fun twist, wrap a few cookies in cellophane with a festive ribbon as delightful party favors or gifts for your friends and family!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your royal icing Christmas cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to one week! If you need to stack them, place sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. If you find yourself with leftover cookies that need a little warmth, simply pop them in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds—just enough to take the chill off without melting the icing. Enjoy every bite!
Imprimer
Royal icing Christmas cookies for heartwarming joy
- Temps Total: 1 hour
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious royal icing Christmas cookies decorated for the holidays.
Ingrédients
- 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 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6 tablespoons water (for icing)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract to the butter mixture.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
- Roll out the dough and cut cookies into shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly browned.
- Let cookies cool completely.
- In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water to make royal icing.
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing.
Notes
- Use a piping bag for detailed designs.
- Let the icing dry completely before stacking cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- 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: 6g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 22g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 1g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 25mg
Mots-clés: royal icing, Christmas cookies, holiday baking
