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Twisted Christmas Cookies Recipe

Twisted Christmas Cookies Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 21 reviews

Celebrate the holiday season with these delightful Twisted Christmas Cookies! Featuring a tender, buttery base flavored with vanilla, almond, and a hint of orange zest, these cookies are perfect for decorating with vibrant royal icing and festive toppings. Whether cut into trees, stars, or mittens, they combine classic flavors with fun, creative decorating for a festive treat everyone will adore.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 14 oz (400g) butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • Zest of 1 orange (optional)
  • 6 cups plain flour

For the Icing:

  • 6 tbsp meringue powder
  • 8 tbsp water
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 7 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • Extra water (for thinning as needed)
  • Gel food coloring (red, green, gold, white)
  • Sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 2 to 3 baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
  2. Prepare Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Add Flour: Gradually add the plain flour to the wet ingredients, mixing continuously until a dough forms. If the dough feels too dry, add one tablespoon of milk to help bring it together into a workable consistency.
  4. Roll and Cut Shapes: Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters—such as trees, stars, and mittens—to cut out shapes.
  5. Chill Cookies: Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets and chill them in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to help maintain their shape during baking.
  6. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. Remove from oven and allow them to cool completely on wire racks.
  7. Make Icing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the meringue powder, lemon juice, and 8 tablespoons of water until frothy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar while beating until the icing is glossy and firm. Thin with extra water, a little at a time, to reach desired consistency.
  8. Decorate: Divide the icing into multiple bowls and tint each with gel food coloring in red, green, gold, and white. Use piping bags or brushes to decorate the cooled cookies, then sprinkle with edible glitter, colorful sprinkles, or crushed candy canes for added holiday cheer.
  9. Set Icing: Allow the decorated cookies to set at room temperature until the icing is fully hardened before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough before baking helps the cookies maintain their shape and results in a more tender texture.
  • Orange zest adds a fresh, bright note but can be omitted if unavailable or if preferred.
  • Use gel food coloring to keep the icing vibrant without thinning it out too much.
  • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to a week.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the plain flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour mix.
  • These cookies are perfect for making ahead and freezing before decorating.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, royal icing cookies, decorated cookies, almond extract cookies, orange zest cookies

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/twisted-christmas-cookies-recipe/