Oh, the joy of baking during the holidays! There’s something so magical about filling the kitchen with the warm, sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies. These *Christmas ornament cookies* are not just treats; they’re little edible works of art that bring everyone together. I remember as a kid, my family and I would gather around the table, rolling out dough, laughing, and crafting unique shapes to hang on our tree. Each cookie was a part of our holiday tradition, decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles, ready to be admired before being devoured! Trust me, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of sharing these festive delights with friends and family. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings or just to brighten up a cozy winter night at home. Let’s dive into this wonderful recipe, shall we?
Ingredients List
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
- Royal icing for decoration
- Food coloring for icing
How to Prepare *Christmas Ornament Cookies*
Prepping the Dough
Let’s get started with the dough! First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s nice and toasty when the time comes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This helps to evenly distribute those leavening agents for a perfect rise!
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial because it adds air to your cookies, making them wonderfully soft. Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until everything is well combined. Now, gradually blend in your dry ingredients until the mixture is just combined. If the dough feels a bit stiff, don’t worry! Add in the milk, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s soft but not sticky.
Shaping and Baking the Cookies
Now it’s time to roll out that dough! On a floured surface, roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. The thicker they are, the softer they’ll be! Grab your favorite cookie cutters—ornament shapes are a must—and cut out your cookies. Place them on ungreased baking sheets, giving them a bit of space to spread. Bake these beauties for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just golden. Keep an eye on them because they can go from perfect to overbaked in a flash!
Decorating the Cookies
Once your cookies are out of the oven, let them cool completely on a wire rack. This is important! If you rush the decorating, your royal icing can melt into a puddle. Once cooled, grab your royal icing and get creative! You can use piping bags or simple zip-top bags with the corner snipped off. I recommend letting the icing dry for at least 2 hours before stacking them, especially if you’re using multiple colors. This way, you prevent any smudging or smearing. And there you have it—festive, fun, and utterly delicious *Christmas ornament cookies*! Enjoy every colorful bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These *Christmas ornament cookies* are a delightful way to bring the holiday spirit to life! Here’s why you’ll adore this recipe:
- Festive Appeal: Their colorful decorations make them perfect for holiday gatherings and as gifts!
- Easy to Prepare: With straightforward steps, even beginner bakers can whip these up without a hitch.
- Customizable Designs: You can let your creativity shine! Use various shapes and colors to make each cookie unique.
- Family-Friendly Fun: Get the kids involved in rolling, cutting, and decorating—it’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories!
- Deliciously Soft: The buttery cookie base is soft and melt-in-your-mouth good, making them irresistible!
Trust me, these cookies will not only please your taste buds but also warm your heart during the holiday season.
Tips for Success
To ensure your *Christmas ornament cookies* turn out perfectly every time, here are some handy tips! First, pay attention to your dough consistency—it should be soft but not sticky. If it’s too wet, just add a bit more flour, a tablespoon at a time. When rolling out the dough, make sure your surface is well-floured to prevent sticking, and keep your cookie shapes uniform for even baking.
For baking, keep an eye on your cookies! Ovens can vary, so check them around the 8-minute mark. You want them to be just golden around the edges. And when it comes to decorating, let the first layer of icing dry completely before adding any details. This helps avoid any smudging and makes your designs pop. With these tips, your cookies will not only look fantastic but taste amazing too!
Nutritional Information
It’s always good to know what you’re indulging in, especially during the festive season! Keep in mind that nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Here’s an estimated breakdown for each *Christmas ornament cookie*:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 2g
So, while you’re enjoying these delightful cookies, you can feel good knowing a little about what’s in them. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, or keeping all to yourself—no judgment here!
FAQ Section
Got questions about your *Christmas ornament cookies*? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries that come up:
How should I store my cookies?
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them, but let them come to room temperature before serving!
Can I use different extracts?
Absolutely! Feel free to switch out the almond extract for peppermint or coconut for a fun twist on flavor—just keep in mind it’ll change the overall taste a bit.
What if I don’t have royal icing?
If royal icing isn’t your jam, you can use store-bought frosting or make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk. Just remember, it won’t dry as hard for stacking.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes! You can freeze the undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just thaw them in the fridge before decorating!
What shapes can I make?
Get creative! While ornament shapes are traditional, you can use any cookie cutter you like. Stars, trees, or even gingerbread men will work beautifully!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *Christmas ornament cookies* fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll last about a week, but trust me, they won’t last that long with all the holiday munching going on! If you want to enjoy them longer, you can refrigerate them, just be sure to let them come back to room temperature before digging in. This helps maintain that lovely soft texture!
If you happen to have some cookies left after the holiday festivities, you can freeze them. Just place the undecorated cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze them solid, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to decorate, simply thaw them in the fridge overnight. No reheating is necessary—enjoy them chilled or at room temperature for the best taste!
Drucken
Christmas Ornament Cookies: 5 Ways to Create Magic
- Gesamtzeit: 40 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
These Christmas ornament cookies are festive and fun, perfect for the holiday season.
Zutaten
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
- Royal icing for decoration
- Food coloring for icing
Anweisungen
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Add milk until the dough is soft.
- Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden.
- Cool completely before decorating with royal icing.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use various food colors for decoration.
- Allow icing to dry completely before stacking cookies.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- 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: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterin: 25mg
Keywords: christmas ornament cookies, holiday cookies, festive baking
