Twisted Christmas Cookies
Twisted Christmas Cookies are colorful, whimsical treats that bring a festive touch to any holiday celebration. These cookies can be customized with various shapes and decorations, making them perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
For the cookie dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Ensure butter is at room temperature.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs Use room temperature eggs.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract Can be substituted with peppermint extract for variation.
- 1 tablespoon orange zest Freshly grated for best flavor.
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour Add gradually until a dough forms.
- 1 tablespoon milk Add only if the dough is too crumbly.
For the icing and decorations
- 1 tablespoon meringue powder For icing.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice For icing.
- 1 tablespoon water For icing.
- 2 cups powdered sugar Gradually add to achieve desired icing consistency.
- food coloring For decoration.
- sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes For extra flair.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest to the bowl. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until a dough forms. If dough is too crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick, then cut into festive shapes using cookie cutters.
- Chill the cut-out cookies in the refrigerator for about 10–15 minutes to maintain their shape.
Baking
- Place the chilled cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between them.
- Bake for about 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
Icing and Decorating
- While cookies are cooling, prepare the icing by whisking together meringue powder, lemon juice, and water.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until the icing is glossy and holds a stiff peak. Adjust consistency with water as needed.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with food coloring.
- Decorate cookies with prepared icing and sprinkle with additional decorations like sprinkles or edible glitter.
- Allow decorated cookies to set completely before serving or storing.
Notes
Store decorated cookies in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container with layers separated by parchment paper.