Description
Festive holiday ornament sugar cookies sparkle with sweet charm and delightful decorative magic. Christmas baking becomes a joyful celebration when you craft these elegant, personalized treats that bring whimsical cheer to seasonal gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Craft the cookie foundation by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing vessel. In a separate large bowl, thoroughly cream butter and sugar until achieving a cloud-like, aerated texture.
- Incorporate egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract into the butter mixture, blending until uniform. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet components, gently mixing until a cohesive dough materializes.
- Partition the dough, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to firm and develop flavor complexity.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal baking environment. Retrieve chilled dough and roll out to a precise 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Utilize festive cookie cutters to shape ornament-inspired circles, carefully transferring each delicate shape onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Position sheets in preheated oven, baking for 8-10 minutes until edges transform into a delicate golden hue. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transition to wire cooling racks.
- Prepare royal icing by whipping powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until achieving a silky, glossy consistency. Divide icing and experiment with vibrant color variations.
- Adorn each cookie with a smooth base layer of icing, then embellish with intricate piping, complementary colors, and sparkling sprinkles. Permit decorations to completely solidify before storing or packaging.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp ornament shapes during baking.
- Use powdered sugar instead of granulated for a smoother, more delicate royal icing texture that sets beautifully.
- Create gluten-free versions by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Roll dough between parchment paper sheets to prevent sticking and ensure uniform thickness without adding extra flour.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg