Oh my goodness, there’s just something magical about making christmas cutout cookies! The smell of vanilla and sugar wafting through the kitchen really gets me into the holiday spirit. I remember as a kid, my family and I would gather around the table, rolling out the dough and cutting out our favorite shapes. It was a delightful mess, flour everywhere, and laughter filling the air! The best part? Decorating those cookies with colorful icing and sprinkles! It’s such a fun way to express creativity and bring joy to everyone. Trust me, these cookies are a holiday must!
Ingredients List
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
How to Prepare Christmas Cutout Cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps ensure even baking, so don’t skip this step!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This mix is going to be the backbone of your cookies, giving them structure.
- In another large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes. You want it to be airy, so it’s nice and sweet!
- Now, add in 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of almond extract to the butter mixture. Mix until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the cookies might turn out tough!
- Once your dough is ready, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This is crucial for easy rolling and cutting later!
- After the dough has chilled, lightly flour your countertop and roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes. I love using festive shapes like stars and trees!
- Place the cut-out cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each one. Bake them in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once they’re completely cool, it’s time to get creative and decorate!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to make, perfect for those busy holiday schedules!
- Easy for decorating, letting your creativity shine.
- Ideal for family traditions, bringing everyone together.
- Deliciously sweet with a delightful buttery flavor.
- Perfect for gifting or holiday parties, everyone loves them!
Tips for Success
To ensure your christmas cutout cookies turn out perfectly, here are my top tips! First, when chilling the dough, don’t rush it—at least an hour is best to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking. Also, make sure your rolling pin and surface are lightly floured to avoid sticking. If the dough gets too warm while you’re cutting shapes, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes. When it comes to decorating, use royal icing for a smooth finish, and don’t be afraid to go wild with sprinkles! They’re the finishing touch that makes these cookies shine!
Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous with your christmas cutout cookies, there are so many fun ways to mix it up! Try adding a teaspoon of peppermint extract for a refreshing twist, or swap out some of the all-purpose flour for cocoa powder to make chocolate cutouts. You can also experiment with different icing colors or sprinkle combinations to match your holiday theme! And don’t forget about using festive cookie cutters—think snowflakes, reindeer, or even gingerbread men for a cheerful variety!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your christmas cutout cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them! Just layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, let them thaw at room temperature. No need to reheat—these cookies are delightful served at room temp, especially with a fresh batch of icing on top!
Nutritional Information Section
Here’s the estimated nutritional information for each of your delicious christmas cutout cookies: about 150 calories, 7g of fat, 1g of protein, and 20g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind, these values can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes, but this gives you a good idea of what you’re enjoying during the festive season!
FAQ Section
Can I make these cookies in advance?
Absolutely! You can make the dough ahead of time, just chill it and wrap it well in plastic wrap. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for a month. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before rolling it out.
What’s the best way to decorate my cookies?
I love using royal icing for a smooth, professional look, but you can also use simple powdered sugar icing for a quick option. Don’t forget to let the icing dry completely before stacking or storing!
Why did my cookies spread while baking?
Ah, that can happen! It usually means the dough was too warm or you might have skipped chilling it. Make sure to chill the dough long enough before rolling it out to keep those festive shapes intact!
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can! Just substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix, and you’ll still get delicious christmas cutout cookies without the gluten.
What shapes should I use for cutting?
Get creative! Classic holiday shapes like stars, trees, and snowflakes are always a hit, but feel free to use any cookie cutter that makes you smile. It’s all about having fun during the holiday season!
Christmas Cutout Cookies: 7 Magical Secrets Revealed
- Temps Total: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious Christmas cutout cookies perfect for decorating.
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 sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
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 egg, vanilla, and almond extract to the butter mixture.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut with cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool before decorating.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- You can use royal icing for decorating.
- Experiment with different shapes and 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: 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 cutout cookies, holiday cookies, decorated cookies
