These easy Christmas cookies are perfect for cutting into shapes because they hold their form while baking. They have a sweet vanilla flavor and need no chilling so you can make them quickly! Enjoy them plain or decorate them with icing, chocolate, or sprinkles.
Ingredients Needed:
- 225g / 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup caster/superfine sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
Icing for Sugar Cookies:
- Icing for Sugar Cookies
How To Make Christmas Cookies Recipe?
- Preheat the Oven: Set oven to 180°C or 160°C fan. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until creamy (about 1 minute on medium speed).
- Mix in Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat until fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. The dough will be slightly clumpy.
- Shape and Roll: Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the dough in half and shape it into two discs. Roll out to 3mm for crisp cookies or 6mm for softer ones.
- Cut and Bake: Use cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer them to baking trays. Bake for 10 minutes, swapping trays halfway through, until the edges turn light golden.
- Cool and Decorate: Let the cookies cool completely on the trays before decorating.
Recipe Tips:
- Use Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is soft but not melted. This helps the dough mix smoothly and creates a light, even texture in the cookies.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off instead of scooping it directly from the bag. Too much flour makes cookies dry and crumbly.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix until the flour is just combined. Overmixing makes the cookies tough instead of soft and light.
- Roll Dough Evenly: Roll the dough to the same thickness all over so the cookies bake evenly. The uneven dough can lead to some cookies being too hard and others undercooked.
- Let Cookies Cool on the Tray: Leave cookies on the baking tray for a few minutes after baking before moving them. This helps them set properly and prevents breaking.
How To Store Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let the leftover Christmas cookies cool to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freeze: Place the cooled cookies in a sealed container or a freezer bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 96 kcal
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 16mg
- Sodium: 46mg
- Potassium: 20mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 12g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 1g
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