Ah, Christmas! It’s that magical time of year when the air is filled with the scent of pine and baking cookies. One of my favorite traditions is making **Christmas cut out cookies** with my family. We gather in the kitchen, sprinkle flour everywhere, and laugh as we roll out dough and cut out festive shapes. The best part? Decorating them together! With icing, sprinkles, and a whole lot of creativity, each cookie becomes a little work of art. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like sharing these sweet treats with loved ones during the holidays. So, let’s dive into this delightful recipe that’s perfect for your own holiday baking adventures!
Ingredients for Christmas Cut Out Cookies
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making these delightful cookies. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: This is the foundation of your cookies, giving them structure and a lovely texture.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: This helps the cookies rise perfectly while baking, making them soft and fluffy.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar!
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: This sweetens the dough and gives that delightful crunch on the outside.
- 1 egg: A large egg, beaten, acts as a binder and adds richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This adds a warm, comforting flavor that’s essential for holiday baking.
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract: A little splash of this gives your cookies a lovely, nutty aroma that pairs beautifully with the vanilla.
How to Prepare Christmas Cut Out Cookies
Preparing these **Christmas cut out cookies** is a fun and straightforward process that will fill your kitchen with the sweet scent of the holidays. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to cookie perfection!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and turn out just right!
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This is your dry mixture.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the beaten egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture, mixing until everything is well blended.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial for easier rolling and cutting.
- Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Don’t worry if it gets a little messy—flour everywhere adds to the fun!
- Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them—they bake fast!
- Let them cool completely before decorating. This is the best part—let your creativity shine!
Tips for Success with Christmas Cut Out Cookies
To ensure your **Christmas cut out cookies** turn out perfectly every time, here are a few tips that I swear by:
- Chill the dough: Don’t skip this step! Chilling the dough for at least an hour makes it easier to roll out and helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Flour your surface: Use plenty of flour when rolling out your dough to prevent sticking. You can always dust off the excess later.
- Watch your bake time: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. You want them just golden around the edges!
- Let them cool: Be patient! Allow your cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to adore these **Christmas cut out cookies**! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe brings joy and festive spirit to your kitchen. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with making these cookies:
- Easy to Decorate: The blank canvas of these cookies makes them perfect for unleashing your creativity with icing and sprinkles!
- Fun for Families: Baking and decorating together creates cherished memories and laughter, making it a wonderful family activity.
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies make delightful gifts! Package them in pretty boxes or tins for friends and neighbors during the holidays.
- Customizable Flavors: You can easily tweak the flavors with different extracts or add-ins, making each batch uniquely yours!
- Tradition in the Making: These cookies can become a beloved family tradition, passed down through generations—what a heartwarming thought!
Nutritional Information for Christmas Cut Out Cookies
When it comes to enjoying these delightful **Christmas cut out cookies**, it’s good to know what you’re indulging in! Here’s the estimated nutritional information for one cookie (keep in mind that these values may vary based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes):
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 2g
Remember, these cookies are meant to be enjoyed, so don’t stress too much about the numbers! Just savor the sweetness of the season.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your delicious **Christmas cut out cookies** properly is essential to keep them fresh and tasty! Once they’ve cooled completely, place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay good for up to a week at room temperature, but trust me, they won’t last that long!
If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just stack the cookies with parchment paper in between layers to prevent sticking, then seal them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature. No need to reheat—these cookies are perfect served at room temperature, just like the joy they bring!
FAQ About Christmas Cut Out Cookies
Got questions about making the best **Christmas cut out cookies**? I’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries I hear, along with my tried-and-true answers:
- Can I use different flavors of extract? Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different extracts like peppermint or lemon for a unique twist on the classic flavor.
- What’s the best way to decorate these cookies? I love using royal icing for a smooth finish, but you can also use simple glaze icing or even store-bought frosting. Just let your creativity flow!
- Can I substitute the butter for something else? If you need a dairy-free option, you can use margarine or coconut oil. Just make sure to soften it well for the best texture.
- How can I prevent the cookies from spreading while baking? Make sure your dough is well-chilled before rolling it out, and keep an eye on the baking time. Overmixing can also cause spreading, so mix just until combined!
- Can I freeze the dough for later use? Yes! You can wrap the chilled dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling out and cutting!
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Cut Out Cookies
These delightful **Christmas cut out cookies** are perfect for pairing with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a festive spiced tea. They also shine as a sweet addition to holiday dessert platters alongside gingerbread men or peppermint bark. For a fun twist, set up a decorating station with various sprinkles and icing for a cookie-decorating party with friends and family. Enjoy the festive spirit with every bite!
Drucken
Christmas Cut Out Cookies: 7 Tasty Tips for Perfection
- Gesamtzeit: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Delicious Christmas cut out cookies perfect for decorating.
Zutaten
- 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 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Anweisungen
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light.
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract to the butter mixture.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface.
- Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool completely before decorating.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Use royal icing for decoration.
- Cut shapes according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Kochen Zeit: 10 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 cookie
- Kalorien: 150
- Zucker: 10g
- Natrium: 50mg
- Fett: 7g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterin: 20mg
Keywords: christmas cut out cookies











