The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with homemade Christmas sugar cookies? These sweet treats are a staple during the holiday season, and for good reason – they’re delicious, fun to make, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. In this article, we’ll show you how to make the best Christmas sugar cookies ever, complete with all the ingredients, instructions, and tips you’ll need to make them perfect every time.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Red and green food coloring
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half and tint one half with red food coloring and the other half with green food coloring.
- Wrap each half in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Roll out each half of the dough on a floured surface to a thickness of ¼ inch.
- Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade Christmas sugar cookies!
Nutritional Information:
Each serving of Christmas sugar cookies (2 cookies) contains:
- Calories: 190
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 140mg
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 17g
- Protein: 2g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixer
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters
- Cooling rack
Serving Suggestions:
Christmas sugar cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holiday season. Serve them with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or your favorite holiday beverage.
Variations:
You can customize your Christmas sugar cookies by using different cookie cutters and shapes. You can also add sprinkles, frosting, or other decorations to make them extra festive.
Substitutions:
- You can use margarine instead of butter, but the cookies may not be as rich and flavorful.
- You can use different food coloring or omit it altogether.
- You can use almond or peppermint extract instead of vanilla for a different flavor.
Storage:
Store your Christmas sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to three months.
Tips:
- Chill the dough before rolling it out to make it easier to handle.
- Don’t overmix the dough – stop as soon as the ingredients are combined.
- Use parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies on the middle rack of your oven for even baking.
Notes:
This recipe makes about 3 dozen cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough up to two days in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake the cookies.
Do I have to use food coloring?
No, you can omit the food coloring or use natural food coloring if you prefer.
Yes, you can freeze the cookies for up to three months. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container.
Conclusion:
Christmas sugar cookies are a delicious and festive treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. With this easy recipe, you can make perfect sugar cookies every time, and customize them to your liking with different shapes and decorations. So why not get in the holiday spirit and whip up a batch today?