Christmas Sugar Cookies
Honestly, there's no better time of the year to make sugar cookies than during the holidays. These light and airy cookies are made with a bit of citrus, which is perfect for winter. And when topped with a royal icing, they're a festive treat!
Servings: 30 cookies (approx.)
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 16 tbsp (2 sticks) unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1 ½ tbsp fresh orange juice
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
For the royal icing
- 3 oz egg whites (about 3 egg whites)
- 4 cups sifted powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla powder (or vanilla extract)
Instructions
For the cookies
- In an electric mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth, 1-2 minutes. Add the sugar and mix until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Mix in the egg, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla, and almond extract. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well and scrape the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.16 tbsp (2 sticks) unsalted butter, 2 oz cream cheese, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ tsp almond extract, 2 tsp orange zest, 1 ½ tbsp fresh orange juice, 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp kosher salt
- Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 30 minutes or overnight. The dough may also be frozen for up to one month.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Once well chilled, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼- to ½-inch thick and cut with desired cookie cutters. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Place in the preheated oven and bake until slightly puffed and just beginning to turn golden, 10-14 minutes.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to cooling racks and cool completely. Frost with favorite icing or try royal icing (instructions below).
For the royal icing
- Mix the egg whites, 3 ½ cups powdered sugar, and vanilla powder together until smooth. Add the remaining ½ cup of powdered sugar until the frosting is thick and like a ribbon when pouring out.3 oz egg whites (about 3 egg whites), 4 cups sifted powdered sugar, ½ tsp vanilla powder (or vanilla extract)
- Separate into bowls and color with food coloring.
- Use pastry bags or a plastic cookie decorating bottle to decorate the cookies.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 190kcal