Welcome to my cozy kitchen, where the scent of freshly baked cookies fills the air and brings back the warmest memories of Thanksgiving! One of my favorite traditions is gathering with family to decorate cutout cookies in all sorts of festive shapes—turkeys, pumpkins, you name it! It’s a delightful way to unleash our creativity, and trust me, the laughter and joy that fills the room is just as sweet as the cookies themselves. This recipe for Thanksgiving cutout cookies is extra special because it’s easy to follow and perfect for making together. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your favorite cookie cutters, and let’s create some edible art that will make this holiday season unforgettable!
Ingredients List
Gather these simple ingredients to whip up the most delightful Thanksgiving cutout cookies! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (make sure it’s nice and creamy!)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (this adds a lovely depth of flavor)
- Colored icing for decoration (get creative with those colors!)
Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the perfect cookie, so let’s make sure everything is prepped and ready to go. Happy baking!
How to Prepare Thanksgiving Cutout Cookies
Preheat the Oven
First things first, you need to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because it ensures that your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden. Trust me, a well-preheated oven is the secret to cookie success!
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This simple step helps to distribute the baking powder evenly and ensures your cookies rise beautifully. Just a quick mix will do!
Cream Butter and Sugar
Now, let’s get that butter and sugar together! In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s fluffy and light in color. You want it to be so airy that it practically sings! This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes, and it’s totally worth it for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Combine Wet Ingredients
Next, add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to your butter-sugar mixture. Mix everything thoroughly until it’s well combined. The scent of the vanilla and almond wafting through your kitchen will make you smile!
Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients. I like to do this in thirds, mixing gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this can lead to tough cookies, and we definitely want them soft and chewy!
Roll and Cut Dough
Now for the fun part! Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes. Don’t forget to flour the cutters too; it helps the dough release easily. Get creative—this is where those holiday spirits really shine!
Bake Cookies
Place your cutout cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Keep an eye on them—every oven is a little different, and we want them perfect!
Cool and Decorate
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling step is important because if you try to decorate them too soon, the icing will just melt away! Once they’re completely cool, feel free to unleash your inner artist with the colored icing. Just remember to let the icing dry completely before stacking them up!
Tips for Success
To truly elevate your Thanksgiving cutout cookies, here are some of my top tips! First, make sure your butter is softened but not melted; this helps achieve that perfect fluffy texture when creaming. If your dough feels too sticky, don’t hesitate to chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes—it makes rolling out a breeze! Also, when cutting out your shapes, dip the cookie cutters in flour to prevent sticking. And here’s a little secret: if you want vibrant icing colors, use gel food coloring instead of liquid. Lastly, don’t rush the cooling and icing process; patience is key for those beautifully decorated cookies! Enjoy the journey!
Variations
Let’s get creative with these Thanksgiving cutout cookies! You can easily switch things up by using different extracts—try swapping the almond extract for peppermint or lemon for a fun twist! Feeling adventurous? Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor that screams fall. You could also mix in some orange or lemon zest for a bright citrus note. And don’t forget about the icing! Experiment with flavors like maple or caramel to really make your cookies pop. The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination run wild!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your Thanksgiving cutout cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tasty for about a week—if they last that long! If you want to enjoy them later, you can freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Just let them thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to indulge. And if you prefer them warm, pop them in the microwave for just a few seconds—yummy!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads up—nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so keep that in mind! Here’s a general idea of what you’ll find in each Thanksgiving cutout cookie:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
These cookies make for a festive treat, but remember to enjoy them in moderation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Thanksgiving cutout cookies are a delightful addition to your holiday festivities, and here’s why you’ll adore them:
- They’re incredibly festive, adding a cheerful touch to any gathering.
- Decorating them is a fun activity for the whole family, sparking creativity and laughter!
- They’re perfect for sharing with friends and loved ones—everyone appreciates a homemade treat.
- Kids absolutely love helping out in the kitchen, making memories while they bake.
- Best of all, they’re easy to make, so you can whip them up without any fuss!
Trust me, these cookies will become a cherished holiday tradition in no time!
Drucken
Thanksgiving Cutout Cookies: 7 Ways to Delight Your Family
- Gesamtzeit: 40 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Delicious Thanksgiving-themed cutout cookies perfect for the holiday.
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
- Colored icing for decoration
Anweisungen
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract to the butter mixture. Mix well.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool cookies before decorating with icing.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different cookie cutters for various shapes.
- Let icing 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: 20mg
Keywords: thanksgiving cutout cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies
