Why Make This Recipe
Twisted Christmas Cookies are a delightful treat that brings the joy of the holiday season to your kitchen. These cookies are not only visually appealing but also bursting with festive flavors. Making them is a fun activity that can involve the whole family, turning cookie-making into a cherished holiday tradition. Plus, their colorful decorations can brighten up any holiday gathering.
How to Make Twisted Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and orange zest. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually mix in flour until dough forms. If needed, add a tablespoon of milk to bring it together.
- Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters—trees, stars, mittens, you name it.
- Place on baking sheets and chill for 10–15 minutes.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are just golden. Cool completely.
- For icing, whisk meringue powder, lemon juice, and water.
- Add sugar gradually, beating until glossy. Thin with water if needed.
- Divide icing into bowls, add food coloring, and decorate. Use sprinkles, glitter, or crushed candy canes for extra flair. Let set.
Directions:
- Prepare your baking sheets and preheat the oven.
- Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. This helps incorporate air for a light texture.
- Mix in eggs and flavorings like vanilla and almond extract, along with the fresh zest of an orange.
- Gradually add flour until you have a workable dough. If it feels dry, mix in a bit of milk.
- Roll the dough out and use cookie cutters to create festive shapes.
- Chill the cut cookies before baking to help them keep their shape.
- Bake until lightly golden, then let cool.
- Prepare the icing and add colors to bring your cookies to life.
- Let the decorated cookies set before serving or storing.
How to Serve Twisted Christmas Cookies
Twisted Christmas Cookies are perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or as a special treat on Christmas day. Serve them on a festive platter or place them in decorative tins for a lovely presentation. Pair them with a glass of milk, hot cocoa, or your favorite holiday beverage for a delightful combination.
How to Store Twisted Christmas Cookies
Store your Twisted Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, consider freezing the baked cookies before icing them. Just make sure to wrap them well to avoid freezer burn.
Tips to Make Twisted Christmas Cookies
- Ensure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming with sugar.
- You can adjust the thickness of your icing by adding more water or powdered sugar depending on your preferred consistency.
- For a fun twist, try adding different extracts, like peppermint or lemon, to the dough or icing.
Variation
If you want to change things up, consider adding festive mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruits to the dough. You can also experiment with different cookie shapes and sizes to create a unique assortment.
FAQs
Can I use different flavors for the icing?
Yes, you can use different extracts in your icing for added flavor. Try peppermint or almond for a nice twist!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the dough a couple of days in advance. Just wrap it tightly and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
What if I don’t have meringue powder?
You can substitute meringue powder with egg whites, but be sure to adjust the ratios and mix it well for the right consistency.
Print
Twisted Christmas Cookies
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful holiday cookies that bring festive flavors and are perfect for family traditions.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon milk (if needed)
- For icing: 1 tablespoon meringue powder
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Water (as needed)
- Powdered sugar (for icing)
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles, glitter, or crushed candy canes (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and orange zest; mix until smooth.
- Gradually mix in flour until dough forms; add milk if needed.
- Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters.
- Chill cookies on baking sheets for 10-15 minutes.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden; let cool completely.
- Prepare icing by whisking meringue powder, lemon juice, and water; gradually add sugar while beating until glossy.
- Divide icing into bowls, add food coloring, and decorate cookies.
- Let decorated cookies set before serving.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze before icing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday treats, festive baking, cookie decorating