These delightful nutcracker cookies are perfect for the holiday season, bringing a festive touch to your Christmas celebrations. With their charming designs and sweet flavor, they are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
This recipe is simple to follow and allows for creative decoration. You can customize the colors and designs to match your holiday aesthetic.
Charming Nutcracker Cookies for Christmas
These delightful nutcracker cookies bring a festive spirit to any holiday gathering. Their intricate designs and vibrant colors make them a visual treat, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Crafted from a buttery dough infused with vanilla and almond extracts, these cookies are not just beautiful but also delicious. The combination of flavors creates a sweet experience that complements the holiday season.
Creating the Perfect Dough
To achieve the ideal cookie texture, start by preparing a simple dough. Mixing all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt lays the foundation for these treats. The key is to cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, ensuring a tender bite.
Incorporating an egg along with vanilla and almond extracts adds richness and flavor. Gradually blending the dry ingredients into the wet mixture results in a smooth dough that can be easily shaped.
Chilling and Shaping the Cookies
Once the dough is prepared, it’s essential to chill it. Dividing the dough into discs and refrigerating for at least 30 minutes helps maintain its structure during baking. This step is crucial for achieving cookies that hold their shape.
When ready to bake, roll out the chilled dough to a quarter-inch thickness. Using a nutcracker-shaped cookie cutter, cut out the cookies and place them on lined baking sheets, ready for the oven.
Baking to Perfection
Baking these cookies is a quick process, taking only 8-10 minutes. Keeping an eye on them is important; they should be lightly golden around the edges. Once baked, allow them to cool slightly on the sheets before transferring to wire racks.
This cooling period is vital for ensuring the cookies firm up properly, making them easier to decorate later.
Decorating with Royal Icing
Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time for the fun part—decorating! Using royal icing, you can unleash your creativity. Adding food coloring allows for a variety of shades, ensuring each cookie is unique.
Sprinkles and edible decorations can be added for extra flair, making each cookie a festive masterpiece. The vibrant colors and intricate designs will surely impress anyone who sees them.
Setting the Scene for Festivity
To showcase your beautifully decorated nutcracker cookies, arrange them on a decorative platter. Surround them with holiday decorations like pine branches, ornaments, and twinkling lights to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
This festive display not only highlights the cookies but also enhances the overall holiday spirit, making your gatherings even more special.
Charming Nutcracker Cookies for Christmas
These nutcracker cookies are made with a buttery dough flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, then decorated with royal icing and colorful sprinkles. The recipe yields about 24 cookies and takes approximately 1 hour to prepare and decorate.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Royal icing for decoration
- Food coloring for icing
- Sprinkles and edible decorations
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Make the Dough: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and extracts. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until combined.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll out one disc to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a nutcracker-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, use royal icing and food coloring to decorate the cookies. Add sprinkles and edible decorations as desired.
- Serve: Enjoy your festive nutcracker cookies with family and friends during the holiday season.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 22g