Merry Maker Christmas Sugar Cookies
Overview
Indulging in the festive spirit has never been sweeter with these delightful Merry Maker Christmas Sugar Cookies, a treat that not only adds a splash of color to your holiday celebrations but also invites everyone into the joyful process of cookie making. The unique charm of these cookies lies in their vibrant hues and buttery richness, making them a delightful addition to any Christmas gathering. Based on the renowned Confectioner’s Sugar Cookies #3094 by Linda Johansen and inspired by the creativity of Betty Crocker’s Cookie Book, this recipe guarantees both a stunning presentation and a delightful taste that your family and friends will adore. Enjoy the process, and may your cookie-making adventure be as memorable as the cookies themselves!
Key Details
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 1 hour |
| Prep Time | 1 hour |
| Total Time | 2 hours |
| Recipe Category | Dessert |
| Recipe Yield | 48 cookies |
| Keywords | Cookie, Brownie, Christmas |
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving (1 Cookie) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 74.3 |
| Total Fat | 4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 14.6 mg |
| Sodium | 55.1 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 8.8 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.2 g |
| Sugars | 3.7 g |
| Protein | 0.8 g |
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 1/2 cups | Confectioners’ sugar |
| 1 cup | Butter |
| 1 cup | Margarine |
| 1 | Egg |
| 1/2 tsp | Vanilla extract |
| 2 1/2 cups | Flour |
| 1 tsp | Baking soda |
| 1 tsp | Cream of tartar |
Instructions
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Mix the Sweetness: Begin by combining the confectioners’ sugar with the softened butter in a mixing bowl. Beat the mixture until it reaches a light and fluffy consistency, ensuring the sugar is well incorporated into the butter.
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Add Eggs and Flavor: To the fluffy mixture, crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Blend these ingredients thoroughly until they are completely combined, creating a smooth, cohesive mixture.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until you see no more flour streaks.
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Divide and Tint the Dough: Once your dough is ready, divide it into several portions, depending on how many different colors you would like to create. Using food coloring, tint each portion a different vibrant color. The more contrasting the colors, the more visually appealing your cookies will be!
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Chill the Dough: Wrap the colored dough portions in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for two to three hours. This step is crucial, as it firms up the dough and makes it easier to work with when shaping your cookies.
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Roll and Assemble: After chilling, take the dough out of the refrigerator. Roll each colored dough into small balls, about the size of a marble. Place an assortment of different colored balls next to each other, ensuring that no two balls of the same color are touching. This variety in color will create a stunning effect when the cookies are baked.
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Shape the Cookies: Gently roll the grouped balls together until they form a larger ball, then flatten the ball slightly to create a disk about 1/8-inch thick. Use a cookie cutter of your choice to cut out as many cookies as possible from the dough. Be mindful to avoid re-rolling the dough too many times, as this can cause the colors to blend together, losing that vibrant contrast.
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Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a lightly greased cookie sheet with parchment paper and place your cut-out cookies onto the sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
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Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. These cookies can be enjoyed right away, or you can freeze them for later—just be sure to store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
Final Thoughts
With their dazzling colors and delightful taste, the Merry Maker Christmas Sugar Cookies are sure to impress at your holiday gatherings, and the joy of making them can be shared with loved ones, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. So gather your family and friends, roll up your sleeves, and indulge in the festive spirit of cookie-making! Enjoy every bite of these beautiful treats, knowing they come straight from the heart of your kitchen to the smiles of those you love.
