Christmas Lights Cookies
'Tis the season to infuse your kitchen with the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies, and what better way to celebrate the holidays than with a batch of Christmas Lights Cookies? In this article, we'll embark on a culinary journey, exploring a recipe that combines the warmth of traditional sugar cookies with the festive charm of twinkling Christmas lights. From the sweet dough to the intricate decorating process, we'll guide you through each step, ensuring your holiday cookies shine as bright as the season itself.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup flour, plus extra for rolling
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
For the Small-Batch Royal Icing:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 large egg white
For Decorating:
- 1 small tube of black icing for writing
- Handful of mini M&Ms
Instructions:
Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extracts. Sprinkle half the flour mixture over the batter and beat gently until combined, then add the remaining flour and beat until well incorporated. Be cautious not to over-mix.
Roll and Cut: Dust a clean countertop with flour, and transfer the dough onto it. Shape the dough into a ½" thick round disk. Flour your rolling pin and roll out the dough to cut approximately 8 shapes. Place the shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gather the dough scraps, re-roll, and cut out 4 more shapes. In total, you should have 12 cookies.
Chill and Preheat: Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for a few minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F.
Bake and Cool: Once the oven is ready, bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn lightly brown. Let the cookies sit on the sheet briefly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Royal Icing: In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and lemon juice. Beat the egg white separately, measure out 2 tablespoons, and add it to the sugar mixture. Whisk the icing slowly until it becomes liquid. Spoon a small amount onto each cooled cookie, spreading it almost to the edges with an offset spatula. Allow the royal icing to harden completely.
Decorate: Pipe two thin black lines onto each cookie using the black icing, and press mini M&Ms sideways onto the lines.
With the scent of freshly baked Christmas Lights Cookies wafting through your kitchen and the visual delight of beautifully decorated treats, you've successfully brought the magic of the holiday season to your home. Share these festive delights with loved ones, and let the joy of baking fill your heart with warmth and happiness. Happy holidays!
This recipe is courtesy of Dessert for Two, you can get more details clicking here.
