Hey, cookie lovers!
The holidays are here, and you know what that means—it’s cookie time!
Today, I’m sharing a festive recipe for Christmas cookies topped with sweet white icing.
They’re soft, delicious, and oh-so-festive. Plus, decorating them is a blast!
Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with your very own batch! Let’s dive in!
| Preparation Time | 30-45 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 8-12 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1 tsp cinnamon (freshly ground for best flavor)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg (at room temperature for better emulsion)
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1 cup butter
- 1 tsp baking powder
For the royal icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted for a smooth icing)
- 2 large egg whites (separated chilled, then brought to room temperature)
- water or lemon juice (add sparingly for desired consistency)
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Cream together butter, sugar, and salt in a bowl until you achieve a creamy texture.
Then, add an egg to the mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.
Mix in vanilla extract and spices (cinnamon, cloves, and ginger).
Gradually add flour and baking powder, mixing with a spatula until it becomes difficult, then use your hands to combine everything into a dough.
Cover the dough and let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Royal Icing
To prepare the royal icing, place raw egg whites in a bowl and sift icing sugar into it.
Whip the mixture until it comes together, adjusting the texture with more sugar for thickness or water for lightness as needed.
Cover the royal icing with a wet kitchen paper to prevent it from drying out.
Step 3: Roll and Cut the Dough
Once the dough has chilled, flour your surface and roll it out to a thickness of 2-3 millimeters.
Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes or until they are slightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.
Step 5: Prepare the Icing for Piping
Adjust the royal icing texture if needed by adding water or lemon juice.
Fill a piping bag fitted with a nozzle with the royal icing.
Pipe the icing onto the cookies, keeping the nozzle about 3 millimeters away from the surface.
Use a toothpick to refine designs and connect lines as needed.
Allow the base layer of icing to dry before adding additional decorations.
Step 6: Final Decorating Touches
If using colored icing, adjust the texture after adding food coloring as necessary.
Clean the nozzle of the piping bag regularly to ensure a consistent flow of icing.
Once the icing has dried and you are satisfied with your decorations, enjoy your beautifully decorated cookies!
