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Twisted Christmas Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 127 reviews

These Twisted Christmas Cookies are a festive and fun holiday treat featuring buttery, soft cookies flavored with vanilla, almond extract, and optional orange zest. They are beautifully decorated with colorful royal icing and festive toppings like sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes, making them perfect for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

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

For the 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 the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare 2-3 baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare the cookie dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest until smooth and combined.
  3. Add flour: Gradually incorporate the plain flour into the wet mixture, mixing continuously until a dough forms. If the dough feels too dry or crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk to help bring it together.
  4. Roll and cut: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters such as trees, stars, and mittens to cut shapes from the dough.
  5. Chill dough shapes: Arrange the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets and chill them in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes. This step helps maintain the cookie shapes while baking.
  6. Bake the cookies: Bake the chilled cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely on wire racks.
  7. Make the icing: In a clean bowl, whisk together meringue powder, lemon juice, and water. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar while beating until the icing is glossy and thick. If the icing is too thick, thin it out with a little extra water to reach your desired consistency.
  8. Decorate the cookies: Divide the icing into separate bowls and mix in gel food coloring (red, green, gold, white) for vibrant hues. Use piping bags or spoons to decorate the cooled cookies. Top with sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes for a festive finish.
  9. Let icing set: Allow the decorated cookies to sit undisturbed until the icing has fully dried and set, ensuring the decorations stay in place when handled or stored.

Notes

  • If the dough feels too sticky after adding flour, chill it longer before rolling out.
  • The orange zest adds a bright, fresh flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
  • Use parchment paper or silicone mats to make cleanup easier.
  • For best icing results, use gel food coloring as it won’t thin the icing consistency like liquid dyes might.
  • Store iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they can last up to a week.
  • Adjust baking time slightly for thicker or thinner cookies.
  • Be creative with your cookie cutters and decoration themes!

Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, sugar cookies, royal icing cookies, festive baking, vanilla almond cookies, decorated cookies

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