Ah, the holiday season! There’s just something magical about it, isn’t there? The twinkling lights, the cozy sweaters, and of course, the sweet aroma of baking wafting through the house. I can’t help but feel a rush of joy when I whip up a batch of *fancy Christmas cookies*. It’s a tradition in my family to gather in the kitchen, flour dusting our noses, laughter filling the air as we roll out cookie dough and cut out festive shapes. I remember one Christmas, my niece and I went a bit wild with glittery sprinkles—let’s just say, our kitchen looked like a holiday explosion! These cookies not only taste divine but also bring everyone together, making them the perfect centerpiece for any holiday gathering. Trust me, once you start baking these beauties, your home will be filled with love and cheer!
Ingredients List
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour – This is the base of your cookies, providing that lovely structure we all adore.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – This helps your cookies rise and become nice and fluffy!
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Make sure it’s soft enough to cream easily with the sugar for that perfect texture.
- 1 1/2 cups sugar – This gives your cookies that delightful sweetness and a lovely golden color.
- 1 egg – This binds everything together and adds a touch of richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – A must for that warm, comforting flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.
- 1 teaspoon almond extract – Just a hint of almond really elevates the taste and makes these cookies feel extra special.
- 2 cups powdered sugar – For the icing! This will give your cookies that sweet, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- 2 tablespoons milk – Just enough to help make your icing smooth and drizzle-able.
- Food coloring – Get creative! You can make your icing as festive as you like with vibrant colors.
- Sprinkles – Because what’s a fancy Christmas cookie without a little sparkle on top?
How to Prepare Instructions
Preheat and Prepare
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because you want your cookies to bake evenly and come out just right! While the oven warms up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze and helps prevent sticking. If you don’t have parchment paper, a little non-stick spray will do the trick too. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the baking soda and salt throughout the flour. Just give it a good stir for about 30 seconds! This simple step ensures your cookies will rise beautifully and have a balanced flavor. Set this bowl aside for a moment while we tackle the next steps!
Cream Butter and Sugar
Now it’s time to beat the softened butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it turns a pale color and you can see some air bubbles forming. This step is key for that perfect cookie texture!
Combine Wet Ingredients
Next, add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to your butter and sugar mixture. Mix on low until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix—just until the egg is fully incorporated! This keeps the cookies tender and delicious.
Form and Bake Cookies
Now, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined; don’t worry if it looks a little crumbly. Then, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers look set. You want them to be just slightly soft in the middle because they’ll continue cooking as they cool!
Cool and Decorate
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they’re cooling, mix the powdered sugar and milk to create a smooth icing. You can stir in your food coloring to achieve your desired shades. Once the cookies are cool, drizzle or spread the icing on top and finish with sprinkles for that festive flair! Enjoy the process—it’s all about having fun and getting creative!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy preparation—perfect for busy holiday schedules!
- Visually stunning with vibrant colors and delightful decorations.
- Deliciously sweet and buttery, making them a crowd favorite.
- Perfect for sharing or gifting to friends and family.
- Customizable shapes and flavors to suit every festive occasion.
Tips for Success
To ensure your *fancy Christmas cookies* come out perfectly every time, here are some of my go-to tips! First, make sure your butter is truly softened—not melted. This helps achieve that fluffy texture we all love. If you find your dough is too sticky, don’t hesitate to sprinkle a little extra flour while you’re shaping the balls. Also, keep an eye on the baking time; ovens can vary! Check your cookies at the 8-minute mark—you’re looking for golden edges and a slightly soft center. Finally, let your cookies cool completely before icing them; this prevents the icing from melting and losing its shape. And remember, have fun decorating! Let your creativity shine through—each cookie is a little work of art!
Nutritional Information
When indulging in these *fancy Christmas cookies*, it’s good to know what you’re enjoying! Here’s the estimated nutritional information for one cookie:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 2g
These values are approximate, as the actual nutritional content may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes. But hey, a little sweetness during the holidays is totally worth it, right? Enjoy every bite!
FAQ Section
Can I use different extracts for flavor?
Absolutely! While I love the combination of vanilla and almond extracts, feel free to experiment with other flavors like peppermint or coconut. Just remember, a little goes a long way!
What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If your dough feels sticky, don’t worry! Just sprinkle a bit of extra flour onto your hands and the surface while shaping the dough balls. This will help keep things manageable and less messy!
How can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Great question! You can make the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just roll it into balls and bake when you’re ready for a fresh batch of *fancy Christmas cookies*! Alternatively, you can bake them, then store them in an airtight container for a few days before icing.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can definitely freeze these cookies! Just make sure they’re completely cooled, then layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature before decorating!
What’s the best way to decorate my cookies?
Get creative! Use a variety of food coloring and sprinkles to make your *fancy Christmas cookies* pop with holiday cheer. You can also add edible glitter or even small candies for extra flair. Have fun with it—it’s all about spreading joy!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *fancy Christmas cookies* fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tasty for up to a week—if they last that long! If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. For reheating, simply thaw at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds. Enjoy that warm, fresh-baked taste all over again!
Imprimer
Fancy Christmas Cookies That Spark Joy This Holiday Season
- Temps Total: 40 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious and visually appealing Christmas cookies perfect for the holiday season.
Ingrédients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Form dough into balls and place on baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool cookies on a wire rack.
- Mix powdered sugar and milk to make icing.
- Color the icing with food coloring and decorate cookies.
- Add sprinkles on top of the icing.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different cookie cutters for various shapes.
- Adjust icing thickness with more or less milk.
- 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: fancy christmas cookies
