Ah, Christmas time! It’s my absolute favorite season, and nothing brings me more joy than baking Christmas royal icing cookies with my family. I still remember the first time I made them—flour flying everywhere, laughter echoing through the kitchen, and the sweet scent of butter and sugar wafting in the air. Decorating these cookies is where the real magic happens! I love setting out bowls of colorful icing and sprinkles, letting everyone unleash their creativity. Each cookie becomes a little work of art, and seeing those smiling faces as they create their own holiday masterpieces fills my heart with cheer. Whether it’s for a festive gathering or a cozy night in, these cookies make everything feel a bit brighter and more special. Trust me, once you start this delicious tradition, you won’t want to stop!
Ingredients for Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
Gathering your ingredients is like prepping for a festive celebration—everything needs to be just right! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these delightful Christmas royal icing cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted for a light texture
- 1 teaspoon baking powder, to help those cookies rise perfectly
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, just a pinch to balance the sweetness
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature for easy creaming
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, because we want these cookies sweet and delightful
- 1 large egg, to bind everything together
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, for that warm, cozy flavor
- 4 cups powdered sugar, for the royal icing that makes these cookies truly special
- 4 tablespoons meringue powder, to give our icing that perfect stability
- 6 tablespoons water, just enough to blend everything into a smooth icing
Make sure to have everything measured out and ready—this makes the whole process so much smoother and more fun! Happy baking!
How to Prepare Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
Let’s dive into the fun part—the actual baking! Making Christmas royal icing cookies is a delightful process that fills your kitchen with warmth and cheer. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Trust me, this is super important! Preheating ensures that your cookies bake evenly and helps them achieve that perfect golden edge. While that’s heating up, you can get everything else ready!
Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough
In one bowl, whisk together your sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. This little mix is the backbone of your cookies! In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this is where the magic happens! It should be airy and pale; the fluffier, the better! Then, add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture to your butter mixture, stirring just until it all comes together into a lovely dough.
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Now comes the fun part! Roll out your dough on a lightly floured surface. Aim for about 1/4 inch thick—this thickness will give you nicely shaped cookies that hold their form. Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and don’t forget to keep some extra flour on hand to prevent sticking! If the dough feels too soft, popping it in the fridge for about 15 minutes can make it easier to work with.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Time to bake! Place your shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Bake for about 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them—every oven is different, and you don’t want them to overbake! Once they’re looking perfect, take them out and let them cool completely on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. This cooling time is crucial for the icing to stick later!
Step 5: Make the Royal Icing
While your cookies are cooling, let’s whip up that royal icing! In a bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until it’s smooth and shiny. You’re looking for a consistency that’s thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to spread easily when decorating. If it seems too runny, just add a bit more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add a tiny splash more water!
Step 6: Decorate Your Cookies
Now for the best part—decorating! Grab your piping bags and let your creativity shine. You can use different colors of icing to make beautiful designs, and don’t forget those sprinkles! Just a friendly reminder: allow the icing to dry completely before stacking your cookies. This way, you’ll have beautifully decorated cookies without any smudges!
And there you have it! These steps will guide you through creating the most delightful Christmas royal icing cookies that are perfect for sharing, gifting, or just enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa. Happy baking!
Tips for Success with Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
Getting the perfect Christmas royal icing cookies is all about those little details! Here are my top tips to ensure your cookies turn out just right:
- Use Gel Food Coloring: If you want vibrant icing that pops, go for gel food coloring instead of liquid. It gives you that rich color without altering the icing’s consistency!
- Don’t Rush the Cooling: Be patient and let your cookies cool completely before icing them. This helps the icing adhere better and prevents it from melting into the cookie.
- Test the Icing Consistency: When making royal icing, a good test is the “ribbon” test—if you drizzle icing from a spoon, it should fall and hold its shape for a few seconds before disappearing back into the bowl. Adjust with more water or powdered sugar as needed!
- Practice Your Piping: If you’re new to decorating, practice piping on parchment paper first. It’ll help you get a feel for the pressure needed and how to create different designs.
- Plan Your Designs: Before you start decorating, sketch out your ideas. This keeps things organized and helps you visualize how you want your cookies to look!
- Let Icing Dry Completely: After decorating, let your cookies sit out for several hours (or even overnight) for the icing to dry completely. This way, they won’t smudge when you stack or store them!
- Store Wisely: Keep your decorated cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. They’ll stay fresh for several days!
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning and delicious Christmas royal icing cookies that your friends and family will love. Happy decorating!
Nutritional Information for Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
Now, let’s take a quick peek at the nutritional information for these delightful Christmas royal icing cookies. Keep in mind that these values are estimates, but they’ll give you a general idea of what to expect:
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 1g
These cookies are a sweet treat, perfect for indulging during the holiday season! Remember, moderation is key, especially when you’re surrounded by all those festive goodies. Enjoy them as part of your holiday celebrations!
FAQ About Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
Got questions about making the perfect Christmas royal icing cookies? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are some frequently asked questions that might help you along the way:
How should I store my decorated cookies?
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. If you’re stacking them, make sure to place parchment paper between layers to prevent any sticking. They should stay delicious for several days!
What can I use instead of meringue powder?
If you don’t have meringue powder on hand, you can substitute it with egg white powder. Alternatively, you can use fresh egg whites, but keep in mind that this may change the texture slightly!
How can I adjust the sweetness of the icing?
If you find the icing too sweet for your taste, you can add a small pinch of salt to help balance the flavors. Just be careful not to overdo it! You can also experiment with adding a little lemon juice for a tart twist.
Can I use store-bought icing?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, store-bought icing can save the day. Just make sure to choose a thicker icing that can hold its shape well for decorating.
How do I know when the icing is dry?
The icing should feel dry to the touch and not stick to your fingers. Depending on the thickness, it can take several hours or even overnight to fully dry, so patience is key!
Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, you can! If you want to prepare in advance, freeze the cookies before decorating. Just make sure they’re completely cool, then store them in an airtight container. Decorate them once you thaw them for the best results!
What if my icing is too runny?
If your icing doesn’t hold its shape, simply add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. You want it to be thick enough to hold its shape but smooth enough to pipe easily!
I hope these tips help you create the most delightful Christmas royal icing cookies! Happy baking, and may your cookies bring joy to all who taste them!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is straightforward, making it perfect for bakers of all levels—no complicated techniques here!
- Family Fun: Decorating these cookies is a blast! Gather your loved ones and let everyone unleash their creativity with icing and sprinkles.
- Festive and Beautiful: With their bright colors and intricate designs, these cookies are not just tasty but also a feast for the eyes—perfect for holiday celebrations!
- Great for Gifting: Pack them up in cute boxes or tins, and you’ve got a thoughtful homemade gift that friends and family will cherish.
- Customizable: You can easily tailor these cookies to suit any holiday theme—just switch up the colors and shapes to match your festive spirit!
- Deliciously Sweet: The combination of buttery cookies with sweet royal icing is simply irresistible. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop at just one!
Trust me, this recipe is bound to become a beloved holiday tradition in your home. Happy baking!
Imprimer
Christmas Royal Icing Cookies: 7 Sweet Moments to Cherish
- Temps Total: 40 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious royal icing cookies perfect for Christmas.
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
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla, mixing well.
- Gradually add flour mixture until combined.
- Roll out dough and cut into shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool completely.
- In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth for icing.
- Decorate cooled cookies with icing.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing.
- 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: 1g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 20mg
Mots-clés: christmas royal icing cookies
