Description
A delightful family tradition, these Twisted Christmas Cookies with Almond and Citrus Icing bring warmth and joy to holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tbsp milk (if needed)
- 1 tsp meringue powder
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles
- Edible glitter
- Crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy in a large bowl. Add eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest, and mix until smooth.
- Gradually mix in flour until a dough forms. If the dough is dry, add 1 tbsp of milk to achieve the right consistency.
- Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters.
- Chill the cookies on baking sheets in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
- Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the icing, whisk together meringue powder, lemon juice, and water. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until glossy, adding water as necessary.
- Add food coloring to the icing as desired and decorate cookies with sprinkles, glitter, or crushed candy canes. Let set before serving.
Notes
For a creative twist, you can try substituting extracts or adding different flavorings to the cookies. Make sure to chill the dough to prevent spreading during baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday baking, almond cookies, festive treats, family tradition