Description
Delight in these classic Christmas Butter Cookies, a festive treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Buttery, tender, and subtly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for decorating with colorful sprinkles or royal icing to add a personal holiday touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Decoration
- Holiday sprinkles, colored sugar, or royal icing for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Flavorings: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt into the mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms without overmixing.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two portions, flatten each into a disc shape, and wrap individually in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
- Refrigerate: Chill the wrapped dough discs in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up, making them easier to roll and cut.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking once your cookies are shaped.
- Roll and Cut: Lightly flour a clean surface, roll out each chilled dough disc to about 1/4-inch thickness, then use cookie cutters to create festive shapes. Place the shaped cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden color, indicating they are cooked but still soft inside.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removal from the oven to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once fully cooled, decorate the cookies using holiday sprinkles, colored sugar, or royal icing to add festive flair. Let decorations set before serving or storing.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened, not melted, to achieve proper creaming texture.
- If almond extract is not available or preferred, you may omit it without affecting overall flavor significantly.
- Chilling the dough is important to prevent spreading during baking and to make rolling easier.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to avoid cookies sticking to the baking sheets.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they keep well for up to a week.
