Oh, the thrill of ringing in the New Year! I just adore celebrating with delicious treats, and nothing brings that festive spirit quite like my new year cookies decorated. The joy of baking these cookies is truly contagious; I can’t help but smile as I roll out the dough and cut out fun shapes. Each cookie becomes a canvas waiting for vibrant royal icing and colorful sprinkles! Trust me, it’s a delightful way to gather friends and family to share in the fun. We all love to see who can come up with the most creative designs! So dust off those cookie cutters and let’s make some memories together this New Year!
Ingredients for New Year Cookies Decorated
To create these delicious new year cookies decorated, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that come together to make the perfect cookie base. Here’s what you’ll gather:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – This is the foundation of your cookies, giving them structure.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – It adds richness and that wonderful melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar – For sweetness that balances out the flavors.
- 1 large egg – This helps bind everything together and gives a lovely lift.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Trust me, this adds a delightful depth of flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder – Essential for a light, fluffy cookie.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Enhances all the other flavors.
- Royal icing for decoration – This is where the magic happens, creating beautiful designs!
- Food coloring for icing – To make your cookies as festive as possible!
Gather these ingredients, and let’s get ready to bake some holiday cheer!
How to Prepare New Year Cookies Decorated
Alright, let’s dive into the magic of making these stunning new year cookies decorated! It’s a fun process, and I promise you’ll be thrilled with the results. Follow along, and we’ll make these cookies together!
Preheat and Prepare
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is super important because a hot oven helps the cookies bake evenly and gives them that delightful golden color. While that’s heating up, grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This will keep your cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze!
Make the Dough
Now, let’s create that delicious cookie dough! In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until everything is beautifully combined. In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. You want a smooth dough that’s ready to be rolled out!
Shape and Bake
Time to get creative! Dust your work surface with a little flour and roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes—think stars, trees, or even festive numbers! Place the cut-out cookies on your prepared baking sheets, giving them a bit of space to spread. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes until they’re lightly golden around the edges. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake!
Cool and Decorate
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. It’s crucial to let them cool completely before decorating, or else the icing will just melt away! Once cooled, grab that royal icing and your food coloring, and let your imagination run wild! You can create everything from glittery stars to colorful fireworks—get festive!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a fun and engaging activity for all ages—perfect for family bonding!
- These cookies are highly customizable, allowing you to express your creative flair.
- They bring a festive touch to any New Year celebration, making your festivities extra special.
- Simple ingredients mean you can whip them up anytime you’re in the mood for a sweet treat.
- Deliciously soft and buttery, they’re sure to impress everyone who tries them!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delightful new year cookies decorated fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for about a week! If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the cookies—just make sure to layer them with parchment paper and seal them tightly. No reheating is necessary; enjoy them straight from the container or let them thaw at room temperature for a sweet treat anytime!
Nutritional Information
Each of these delightful new year cookies decorated is estimated to have about 150 calories. They contain 7g of fat, 2g of protein, and 20g of carbohydrates, making them a sweet treat that’s not too heavy. With 10g of sugar, they’re just sweet enough to satisfy your cravings without overwhelming your taste buds. Remember, these values are estimates, but they give you a good idea of what to expect!
FAQ About New Year Cookies Decorated
Got questions about making these fabulous new year cookies decorated? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Can I use different flavors for the cookies?
Absolutely! Feel free to add almond extract or lemon zest for a fun twist on flavor. Just remember, the base of the cookie should still be sweet and buttery!
What’s the best way to store decorated cookies?
Once decorated, let the icing harden completely. Then, store them in an airtight container, with layers of parchment paper in between to prevent sticking.
How long can I keep these cookies?
These cookies will stay fresh for about a week at room temperature! If you freeze them, they can last up to 3 months.
Can I use store-bought icing?
Sure thing! Store-bought icing can save time, but making your own royal icing is super fun and customizable!
What if my icing is too runny?
If your royal icing is too runny, just add a bit more powdered sugar until it reaches the right consistency for decorating!
Tips for Success
Here are a few pro tips to ensure your new year cookies decorated turn out perfectly! First, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming. This helps create that light, fluffy texture. After decorating, let the royal icing harden completely—this is crucial if you want to stack your cookies without ruining your designs. And remember, don’t rush the cooling process; patience is key to achieving those beautiful, crisp cookies!
Print
New Year Cookies Decorated: 5 Tips for Festive Delight
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious cookies decorated for the New Year celebration.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Royal icing for decoration
- Food coloring for icing
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes.
- Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
- Use royal icing and food coloring to decorate as desired.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use seasonal cookie cutters for festive shapes.
- Allow icing to harden completely before stacking cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: new year cookies, decorated cookies, festive cookies
