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Twisted Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

Twisted Christmas Cookies are festive, buttery sugar cookies enhanced with almond extract and orange zest, perfect for holiday celebrations. Decorated with vibrant royal icing and festive toppings, they bring both flavor and cheer to your cookie platter.

Ingredients

Cookies

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 14 oz (400g) butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract (for a festive flavor lift)
  • Zest of 1 orange (optional, for brightness)
  • 6 cups plain flour

Icing

  • 6 tbsp meringue powder
  • 8 tbsp water
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 7 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • Extra water (for thinning)
  • Gel food coloring (red, green, gold, white)
  • Sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and white sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy for a smooth cookie base.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and optional orange zest. Mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth and well combined.
  4. Add Flour: Gradually add the plain flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. If the dough feels too dry or crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of milk to bring it together.
  5. Roll and Cut Dough: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use seasonal cookie cutters like trees, stars, or mittens to cut shapes.
  6. Chill Dough: Arrange the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets and chill them in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to help them hold their shape during baking.
  7. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden brown. Remove and let cool completely on wire racks.
  8. Prepare Icing: While cookies cool, whisk together meringue powder, lemon juice, and 8 tbsp water in a bowl. Gradually beat in sifted powdered sugar until the icing is glossy and stiff. Thin with extra water if necessary for decorating.
  9. Color and Decorate: Divide the icing into separate bowls and add gel food coloring (red, green, gold, white) as desired. Decorate cookies with the colored icing, then add sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes for a festive finish.
  10. Set Icing: Allow decorated cookies to sit until the icing hardens, ensuring a beautiful and firm decorative finish.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough before baking helps cookies keep their shape and prevents excess spreading.
  • Use gel food coloring to avoid thinning the icing consistency.
  • If dough is too dry, add milk one teaspoon at a time instead of a whole tablespoon to avoid a sticky dough.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine and verify meringue powder ingredients.

Find it online: https://sweetworldcooks.com/twisted-christmas-cookies-recipe/