Santa’s not the only one who loves cookies during the holiday season. These Xmas cut out cookies are a festive delight that brings joy to every bite. Simple to make and fun to decorate, they’re the perfect addition to your holiday baking list.
Why This Recipe Works
- The dough is perfectly balanced for rolling and cutting, ensuring your cookie shapes hold beautifully without spreading too much in the oven.
- A hint of vanilla and almond extract gives these cookies a warm, inviting flavor that’s unmistakably holiday.
- They’re versatile! Decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
- The recipe is forgiving, making it great for bakers of all skill levels.
- These cookies freeze well, so you can make them ahead of time and decorate when you’re ready.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your cookies have a uniform texture and the leavening is evenly distributed. Tip: Sifting the flour can make your cookies even lighter.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a tender cookie. Tip: Make sure your butter is at room temperature to avoid a gritty texture.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined. The extracts add depth to the flavor profile, making these cookies stand out.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as the flour is incorporated.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour. Chilling firms up the butter, making the dough easier to roll and cut. Tip: If you’re in a hurry, 30 minutes in the freezer can suffice.
Step 6: Roll and Cut the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface and cut into shapes. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips and Tricks
For the best results, make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before starting. This ensures everything mixes evenly. If you’re decorating with royal icing, let the cookies cool completely to prevent the icing from melting. To achieve vibrant colors with your icing, use gel food coloring instead of liquid. It’s more concentrated and won’t thin out your icing. If you’re short on time, you can skip the chilling step, but your cookies may spread more during baking. For a glossy finish on your icing, add a tiny bit of corn syrup to the mixture.
Recipe Variations
- Add citrus zest to the dough for a bright, tangy twist.
- Mix in ground spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Use different extracts, such as peppermint or lemon, to change up the flavor profile.
- Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted chocolate for a decadent treat.
- Create sandwich cookies by spreading jam or frosting between two cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just make sure it’s tightly wrapped to prevent it from drying out. If you’re planning to freeze it, it can last up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and cutting.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
This can happen if the dough wasn’t chilled enough, the butter was too soft, or the oven wasn’t hot enough. Make sure to follow the recipe’s instructions for chilling and baking temperatures to avoid this issue. Also, using a silicone baking mat or parchment paper can help prevent spreading.
Can I use this recipe for other holidays?
Definitely! Just switch out the cookie cutters for whatever shapes suit the occasion. The dough is versatile and can be decorated to match any holiday or event. It’s a great base recipe to have in your baking repertoire.
Summary
These Xmas cut out cookies are a holiday must-have, combining ease of preparation with delicious results. Perfect for decorating and sharing, they’re sure to become a seasonal favorite.