The holiday season just wouldn’t be the same without the delightful tradition of baking cookies! There’s something magical about gathering in the kitchen, rolling out dough, and cutting out festive shapes together. These simple Christmas cookies decorated with colorful royal icing and sprinkles are not only a treat for your taste buds but also a canvas for creativity. Trust me, the joy of seeing your kids (or even you!) express themselves while decorating is priceless. Plus, they make the perfect homemade gifts or sweet additions to any holiday gathering. So, let’s dive into making these delicious cookies that will surely spread holiday cheer!
Ingredients for Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
To whip up these delightful cookies, you’ll need some straightforward ingredients that come together beautifully. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base for your cookies, so make sure it’s sifted for a light texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: This helps the cookies rise and get that perfect soft bite.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Trust me, this is key for a rich flavor and a tender crumb. Let it sit out for a bit!
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetness is essential, and this will help create that lovely golden color.
- 1 large egg: This binds everything together and adds moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For that warm, inviting flavor we all love.
- 1 teaspoon almond extract: Just a splash for a lovely twist!
- Royal icing for decoration: This is what will transform your cookies into festive masterpieces.
- Sprinkles and edible decorations: Because who doesn’t love a little sparkle on their cookies?
How to Prepare Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
Getting ready to make these simple Christmas cookies is easy and oh-so-fun! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of delicious, beautifully decorated cookies in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for baking those cookies to perfection!
- While the oven warms up, grab a medium bowl and mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. You want to beat this until it’s light and fluffy—this will give your cookies that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Next, add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing well until everything is combined and smooth.
- Now, gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. I recommend mixing just until combined—don’t overdo it! You want your dough to be soft but not sticky.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. This is where the fun begins! Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes.
- Place the cut-out cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, giving them a little space to spread.
- Bake those beauties in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. You’re looking for lightly golden edges—take them out and let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy to make, perfect for bakers of all levels!
- Brings the whole family together for a fun decorating experience.
- Customizable with different shapes and colors for endless creativity.
- Great for holiday gifting or sharing at festive gatherings.
- Deliciously soft cookies that are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face!
Tips for Success with Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
To make sure your simple Christmas cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are a few handy tips! First, keep an eye on your dough consistency—if it feels too sticky, add a little extra flour until it’s manageable. Also, don’t skip the chilling step if the dough is warm; it helps prevent spreading while baking. When baking, check your cookies at the 8-minute mark—every oven is different, and you want them just golden around the edges! For decorating, let your royal icing dry completely before stacking the cookies, and have fun with sprinkles! They’re the cherry on top of your festive creations!
Nutritional Information
It’s always good to know what’s in the treats we love, right? Keep in mind that nutrition can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so these values are just estimates. For each simple Christmas cookie decorated, you can expect approximately:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 6g
- Protein: 1g
These cookies are a delightful treat, and with portion control, they can fit into your festive celebrations just right!
FAQs About Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
I totally get that you might have some questions about these simple Christmas cookies decorated! Here are a few FAQs to help you out:
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before rolling it out.
What if my royal icing is too runny?
If your royal icing is too runny, it won’t hold its shape well. Just add a bit more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. You want it to be thick enough to hold its shape but still spreadable!
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can! I recommend freezing the cookies before decorating. Place them in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before frosting.
What are some fun decorating ideas?
Oh, the possibilities are endless! You can use different colors of royal icing, edible glitter, or even themed sprinkles like snowflakes or Christmas trees. Get creative and let your imagination run wild!
Do I have to use almond extract?
Not at all! If almond extract isn’t your thing, feel free to substitute it with more vanilla extract, or even leave it out entirely. Your cookies will still turn out delicious!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your simple Christmas cookies decorated fresh and tasty, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to save them for longer, you can freeze them! Just place the cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature—no reheating needed, just dive into that festive goodness!
Serving Suggestions for Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
These simple Christmas cookies decorated are perfect for brightening up any holiday gathering! Serve them on a festive platter alongside a warm cup of cocoa or a glass of chilled milk for a classic pairing. You can also display them in a decorative cookie jar as a charming centerpiece on your dessert table. And don’t forget to include a few extra sprinkles or toppings on the side for guests to customize their cookies—it’s all about the fun of decorating together!
Imprimer
Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated: 5 Ways to Delight
- Temps Total: 30 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
These simple Christmas cookies are fun to decorate and perfect for the holiday season.
Ingrédients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Royal icing for decoration
- Sprinkles and edible decorations
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts; mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients; mix until combined.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut shapes using cookie cutters and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating with royal icing and sprinkles.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different shapes for variety.
- Feel free to customize icing colors.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 10 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sucre: 6g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 14g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 1g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 20mg
Mots-clés: simple christmas cookies decorated
