Get Festive With These Christmas Cookie Coloring Pages

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and what better way to get into the festive spirit than with some Christmas cookies! But why stop at just baking them? With these Christmas cookie coloring pages, you can add a personal touch to your cookies and make them even more special. Here are two recipes you can use to make your own edible masterpieces.

Recipe 1: Festive Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Food coloring gel of your choice

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Add a small amount of food coloring gel and mix until the desired color is achieved.
6. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
10. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with your favorite icing or using the Christmas cookie coloring pages!

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1 Cookie
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 35mg
Total Carbohydrates: 15g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 6g
Protein: 1g

Cooking Time:

30 minutes (including chilling time)

Equipment:

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Rolling Pin
• Cookie Cutters
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper

Serving Suggestions:

Enjoy with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of cocoa.

Variations:

Add different flavors to the cookie dough such as almond extract or peppermint extract for a festive twist.

Substitutions:

Use margarine instead of butter to make the recipe dairy-free. You can also replace the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option.

Storage:

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Tips:

• Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for best results.
• Chilling the dough helps it hold its shape while baking.
• Use a toothpick to add small amounts of food coloring gel to the dough to avoid over-coloring.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Recipe 2: Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• Food coloring gel of your choice

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Add a small amount of food coloring gel and mix until the desired color is achieved.
6. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
10. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with your favorite icing or using the Christmas cookie coloring pages!

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1 Cookie
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 70mg
Total Carbohydrates: 22g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 12g
Protein: 1g

Cooking Time:

30 minutes (including chilling time)

Equipment:

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Rolling Pin
• Cookie Cutters
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper

Serving Suggestions:

Enjoy with a cup of spiced tea or coffee.

Variations:

Add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the cookie dough for added texture.

Substitutions:

Use margarine instead of butter to make the recipe dairy-free. You can also replace the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option.

Storage:

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Tips:

• Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for best results.
• Chilling the dough helps it hold its shape while baking.
• Use a toothpick to add small amounts of food coloring gel to the dough to avoid over-coloring.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Summary

With these two Christmas cookie recipes, you can have a fun and interactive activity for the whole family. Whether you choose to decorate with icing or use the Christmas cookie coloring pages, the possibilities are endless. Get creative and enjoy the festive season!

Personal Thoughts

I love making Christmas cookies every year and these recipes are some of my favorites. The sugar cookies are light and buttery while the gingerbread cookies have the perfect balance of spice and sweetness. Using food coloring gel to make them even more festive is a fun and easy way to add a personal touch. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do!