🍪✨ Get ready to embark on a delightful culinary journey with our Traditional Decorated Christmas Cookies recipe! 🎄🌟 Perfect for the holiday season, these cookies are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a festive feast for the eyes. Let’s dive into the magical world of baking and decorating together! 🎅🍪
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 3/4 cup |
| Sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Fresh Lemon Rind | 1 tablespoon |
| Vanilla | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Flour | 2 1/4 cups |
| Water | 1-2 tablespoons |
| Powdered Sugar | 3 cups |
| Water (for icing) | 1-2 tablespoons |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 3 cookies):
- Calories: 283.4
- Fat: 9.1g
- Saturated Fat: 5.6g
- Cholesterol: 34.5mg
- Sodium: 128.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 48.1g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 34.1g
- Protein: 3g
Servings: 16 servings (48 cookies)
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Instructions:
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🎄 Begin the magical process by beating together 3/4 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of sugar in a small bowl using an electric mixer. Continue until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
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🥚 Add in 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon rind, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Beat until all ingredients are well combined.
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🍰 Gradually beat in 2 1/4 cups of flour until thoroughly incorporated. To achieve the perfect dough consistency, add water, a few drops at a time, until the dough starts to come away from the side of the bowl.
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🌬️ Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator until firm. This takes approximately 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the dough to become more manageable.
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🔥 Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease 4 cookie sheets. It’s time to turn up the heat and bake those cookies to perfection!
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🍪 On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thin 1/8″ thickness. Get creative with your cookie shapes using cutters or even try free-handing for a personal touch. Don’t forget to reroll those scraps to minimize waste.
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🕰️ If you plan to hang these cookies as decorations, make small holes with a wooden pick before baking. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges start to boast a beautiful golden brown.
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🌈 Transfer the freshly baked cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely before moving on to the next step. Patience is key!
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🎨 Now, let’s prepare the icing. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Slowly incorporate 3 cups of powdered sugar, continuing to beat until the mixture reaches a thick and creamy consistency.
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💧 Gradually add just enough water to achieve a good spreading consistency. For that extra festive touch, tint the icing with food coloring according to your preferences.
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🎉 It’s time for the grand finale! Spread the icing evenly over your cooled cookies, turning each one into a canvas of holiday joy.
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🌟 Let your inner artist shine! Decorate your cookies with glitter, sprinkles, or go classic with cinnamon red hots. The choice is yours!
Indulge in the joy of creating and sharing these Traditional Decorated Christmas Cookies with your loved ones. 🌲🍪 May your kitchen be filled with warmth, laughter, and the sweet aroma of holiday magic! ✨💖
