Gail’s Christmas Cookies π
Introduction:
Gail’s Christmas Cookies are a delightful treat that carries the heartwarming essence of family tradition, originating from her grandmother Zick, who brought the recipe from Germany in the late 19th century. Passed down through generations, these cookies have earned their place as a cherished part of the holiday season for Gail’s family, often doubling as delightful Christmas presents π. With a touch of European flair and a dash of Christmas magic, these cookies are sure to become a beloved tradition in your home too!
Recipe Details:
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 360 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Keywords: Cookie & Brownie, German, European, Christmas, < 60 Mins, Oven, Refrigerator
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of butter
- 2 cups of sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 8 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar
Instructions:
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Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
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Beat in eggs: Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
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Add sour cream and flavoring, mix well: Pour in the sour cream and any desired flavoring (such as vanilla extract or almond extract), and mix until smooth and well combined.
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Sift in dry ingredients: Sift the baking soda, baking powder, and all-purpose flour into the wet mixture. Stir until a smooth dough forms.
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Refrigerate 8 hours or more: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
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Roll thin: Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
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Cut with cookie cutters, making a hole for hanging: Using festive cookie cutters, cut out shapes from the dough, and don’t forget to make a small hole near the top of each cookie for hanging later.
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Bake at 350Β°F until only slightly brown, about 7-10 minutes: Place the cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown.
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Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on wire racks.
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Icing: While the cookies are cooling, prepare the icing. In a separate bowl, whip the egg white until stiff peaks form.
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Add sugar and lemon juice as needed: Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice to the whipped egg white, mixing until smooth and glossy. Adjust the consistency with additional sugar or lemon juice as needed.
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Ice cookies: Using a small spatula or a piping bag, ice the cooled cookies with the prepared icing, covering them completely.
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Decorate and let dry: Sprinkle the iced cookies with festive decorations such as colored sugar, sprinkles, or edible glitter. Allow the icing to dry completely before proceeding.
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Hang on tree: Once the icing is dry, thread a piece of dental floss through the hole in each cookie, and tie it securely. Hang the cookies on your Christmas tree, ensuring they are out of reach of hungry children or pets, or simply arrange them on a decorative platter for serving.
Enjoy the festive delight of Gail’s Christmas Cookies, a timeless tradition that brings joy to the holiday season! πͺπ πΌβ¨
