It’s that time of year again when the crisp winter air and the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree beckon us to gather in the kitchen and bake up a storm. For me, one of the most cherished holiday traditions is making Christmas Cutout Cookies with my family. The sweet smell of butter and sugar wafting through the house, the colorful dough waiting to be transformed into whimsical shapes, and the endless possibilities for decorating – it all fills me with such a warm, nostalgic feeling.
I can still remember the first time I helped my grandma roll out the dough and cut out the classic tree, stocking, and snowflake shapes. I’d carefully transfer each cookie to the baking sheet, my tongue poking out in concentration, before eagerly watching them puff up in the oven. And of course, the best part was decorating them with vibrant royal icing and an array of sprinkles, glitter, and candies. We’d spend hours making a complete mess, but the end result was always worth it – a plate of the most delightful, festive Christmas Cutout Cookies that we’d proudly display and share with loved ones.
Those childhood memories of baking Christmas Cutout Cookies have stuck with me, and it’s a tradition I’ve carried on with my own family. There’s just something so special about the ritual of making these cookies together, chatting and laughing as we work. And the final product is not only a delicious treat, but a true work of edible art that captures the whimsy and magic of the season.
Why This Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
The Secret Behind Perfect Christmas Cutout Cookies
This Christmas Cutout Cookies recipe is truly special because it combines classic techniques with a few unique twists that result in cookies that are not only beautiful, but also incredibly delicious. The secret lies in the dough, which features a perfect balance of butter, sugar, and just the right amount of flour to create a tender, yet sturdy cookie that holds its shape beautifully during baking. And the royal icing recipe is foolproof, ensuring a smooth, glossy finish that dries to a delightful crunch.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Powdered sugar
- Meringue powder
- Water
Step-by-Step Christmas Cutout Cookies Instructions
Preparing Your Christmas Cutout Cookies
Making Christmas Cutout Cookies is a fun, hands-on process that takes a bit of time, but the end result is more than worth it. In total, you’ll need about 2-3 hours to make the dough, chill it, roll it out, bake the cookies, and decorate them. You’ll also want to make sure you have a few key pieces of equipment on hand, like a rolling pin, cookie cutters, and piping bags for the icing.
1- In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
2- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
3- Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days).
4- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove one disk of dough from the fridge and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then carefully transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
5- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, until the edges just start to lightly brown. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
6- Once the cookies are cooled, prepare the royal icing by beating together the powdered sugar and meringue powder in a large bowl. Gradually add in water, a tablespoon at a time, until the icing reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Decorate the cookies as desired, then let the icing set completely before serving.
Pro Tips for Success
– Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days) before rolling and cutting – this helps the cookies hold their shape.
– Roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness for the best texture and appearance.
– Bake the cookies until the edges just start to lightly brown, then let them cool completely before decorating.
– When making the royal icing, start with less water and add more as needed to achieve the perfect consistency.
– Avoid over-mixing the dough, as this can result in tough, dense cookies.
Serving and Storing Your Christmas Cutout Cookies
Perfect Pairings for Christmas Cutout Cookies
Christmas Cutout Cookies are the perfect festive treat to enjoy with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, apple cider, or a strong cup of coffee. They also make a lovely addition to any holiday charcuterie board, alongside other seasonal sweets and savory bites. And of course, they’re a must-have for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, and gifting to loved ones.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Undecorated Christmas Cutout Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. The royal icing can also be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. When ready to decorate, simply let the icing come to room temperature and give it a good stir.
For longer-term storage, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough for up to 3 months. Simply thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling, cutting, and baking as usual. And the baked, decorated cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months – just be sure to let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Christmas Cutout Cookies
Creative Christmas Cutout Cookies Variations
While the classic Christmas shapes like trees, stockings, and snowflakes are always a hit, you can easily get creative with your Christmas Cutout Cookies. Try cutting out fun shapes like reindeer, gingerbread men, or even your family’s initials. You can also experiment with different flavor profiles, like adding a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or almond extract to the dough. And for an extra special touch, you can use colored doughs or sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top.
Making Christmas Cutout Cookies Diet-Friendly
To make these Christmas Cutout Cookies gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. For a vegan version, use a plant-based butter and omit the egg from the dough. And for a lower-carb take, you can replace some of the all-purpose flour with almond flour or coconut flour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: While you can use salted butter, I’d recommend sticking with unsalted. This gives you more control over the overall salt content of the cookies.
Q: How long do the cookies need to chill in the fridge?
A: The dough needs to chill for at least 30 minutes, but you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days. This helps the dough firm up so the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Q: Can I freeze the baked and decorated cookies?
A: Yes, you can! The baked and decorated cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months. Just be sure to let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Q: How do I get the royal icing to the perfect consistency?
A: Start by beating the powdered sugar and meringue powder together, then gradually add water 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency. You want the icing to be thick enough to hold its shape, but not so thick that it’s difficult to work with.
Q: My cookies spread too much during baking. What did I do wrong?
A: If your cookies spread too much, it’s likely that the dough wasn’t chilled long enough before baking. Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days) to allow the butter to firm up and the gluten to relax.
Christmas Cutout Cookies
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
Indulge in the ultimate Christmas cookies with our easy, foolproof recipe for Classic Christmas Cutout Cookies. These delightful treats are perfect for holiday baking, with a delicious buttery flavor and fun, festive decorations.
Ingredients
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
1. – In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. – In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. – Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. – Divide the dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. – Working with one disc at a time, roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
8. – Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
9. – Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
10. – Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. – Decorate the cooled cookies with royal icing and sprinkles as desired.
Notes
– For best results, chill the dough for at least 1 hour before rolling and cutting.
– Adjust baking time as needed, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
– Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
Christmas Cutout Cookies are a beloved holiday tradition that never fails to bring joy and delight. With this foolproof recipe and all the tips and tricks I’ve shared, you’ll be whipping up batches of these festive treats that are sure to become the talk of the town. So gather your loved ones, crank up the Christmas tunes, and get ready to create some edible works of art that will fill your home with the warmth and magic of the season. Happy baking!
