These festive and delicious cookies are quick to prepare and perfect for sharing during the holiday season. Decorate them with colorful icing or sprinkles to bring holiday cheer!
Ingredients
- For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- For Decoration:
- Assorted sprinkles, colored sugar, or candy pearls
- Royal icing or store-bought cookie icing
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough in half and shape each into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours).
- Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch (6 mm) thickness.
- Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate:
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies with icing, sprinkles, or other toppings as desired. Let the decorations set before serving or storing.
Tips and Variations
- Flavor Boost: Add ½ tsp almond extract or 1 tsp cinnamon for a twist.
- Storage: Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Make It Festive: Use red, green, and white icing for classic Christmas colors.
