Christmas Sugar Cookies
Total Time
1 hour
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Rating
4.84 out of 5 stars
(6)
Ingredients
24 servings
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (cut into small pieces, at room temperature)
- 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup holiday sprinkles (plus extra for decorating)
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 cup meringue powder
- Food coloring (optional)
- Decorating sugar (for topping, optional)
- Sprinkles (for topping, optional)
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Preparation
Step 1
For the cookies
Step 2
Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.
Step 3
Beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes; beat in the egg, then the vanilla. Add the flour mixture and sprinkles and mix on medium-low speed until completely incorporated. Divide the dough in half, place each piece between 2 pieces of parchment and then roll to 1/3 inch thick. Once rolled out, place the parchment sandwiches dough on a baking sheet and chill for 20 minutes.
Step 4
Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 5
Cut out shapes with the cookie cutters and arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Step 6
Bake until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets until firm enough to transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
Step 7
Gently gather any scraps into a ball and press into a disc; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate the disc until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour. Cut out as many cookies as possible and bake.
Step 8
For the royal icing
Step 9
Beat the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and 1/3 cup water with an electric mixer in a large bowl until stiff peaks form.
Step 10
Decorate the cookies with the icing; top with decorating sugar and sprinkles as needed.
Step 11
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