There’s something truly magical about baking cookies during the holiday season, and these simple Christmas cookies decorated are right at the heart of it! I remember the first time I made these with my kids; we turned the kitchen into a winter wonderland of flour and frosting. The aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house is simply unbeatable! What I love most is how easy they are to make and decorate. You can unleash your creativity with colors and sprinkles, turning each cookie into a little work of art. Whether you’re sharing them with friends, leaving them out for Santa, or enjoying them with a cup of hot cocoa, these cookies bring everyone together in the spirit of the season. Trust me, they’re a fun and delicious way to celebrate the holidays!
Ingredients for Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 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
- Sprinkles or edible glitter
How to Prepare Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
Making these simple Christmas cookies decorated is a delightful process that’s easier than you might think! Let’s dive into the steps:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is key to ensuring your cookies bake evenly!
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for that melt-in-your-mouth texture!
- Add in the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined. You’ll love the sweet aroma wafting through your kitchen at this point!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agent.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Don’t worry if it seems a bit sticky—this is normal!
- Now, on a floured surface, roll out your dough to about 1/4 inch thick. This is where you can get creative with your cookie shapes!
- Using your favorite cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave a little space between each cookie for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them—they can go from perfect to overbaked in a flash!
- Once baked, let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating them with royal icing and sprinkles. This cooling time is essential to avoid a melty mess!
And there you have it! Your simple Christmas cookies are ready for some festive flair. Enjoy the decorating process—it’s where the real fun begins!
Why You’ll Love Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
- Quick and Easy: These cookies come together in no time, making them perfect for last-minute holiday baking!
- Fun for Everyone: Decorating these cookies is a delightful activity for kids and adults alike—everyone can unleash their inner artist!
- Festive Appeal: With vibrant royal icing and sprinkles, these cookies are not just tasty; they’re a visual treat that adds to your holiday spirit!
- Customizable: You can switch up the shapes and colors to match any holiday theme or personal preference—no two batches need to look the same!
- Made with Love: These cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family, creating cherished memories around the holiday table.
Tips for Success with Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
To ensure your simple Christmas cookies decorated turn out perfectly every time, here are some handy tips! First off, when rolling out the dough, make sure your surface is well-floured to prevent sticking—nothing’s worse than a torn cookie! If the dough feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up; this makes it easier to handle and cut out shapes.
For decorating, use a piping bag for the royal icing—it gives you better control and creates beautiful designs! Don’t forget to sprinkle on the fun before the icing dries, so it sticks well. Once decorated, let the cookies sit at room temperature until the icing hardens. And for storage, keep them in an airtight container to maintain freshness—trust me, they’ll stay delicious for days! Enjoy your baking adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions About Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
Can I use margarine instead of butter? While I always recommend using unsalted butter for the best flavor and texture, you can substitute margarine if that’s what you have on hand. Just make sure it’s softened!
How can I achieve the perfect royal icing consistency? Great question! You want your royal icing to be thick enough to hold its shape but still smooth enough to spread. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a toothpaste-like consistency for outlining and a bit thinner for flooding. If it’s too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar; if it’s too thick, add a drop of water.
What other decorations can I use besides sprinkles? Oh, the possibilities are endless! You could use edible glitter, chocolate chips, or even mini marshmallows. You can also get creative with colored sugars or even top them with melted chocolate for a special twist!
Can I make the dough ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day or two in advance. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for a bit to soften before rolling it out.
How do I store decorated cookies? To keep your simple Christmas cookies decorated fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you have to stack them, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll stay tasty for about a week!
Nutritional Information for Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
When it comes to enjoying these delightful simple Christmas cookies decorated, it’s nice to know what you’re indulging in! Each cookie is estimated to have about 150 calories, with 10 grams of sugar and 8 grams of fat. Of course, these values can vary slightly based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes. But hey, they’re a festive treat, so why not enjoy them in moderation? Just remember, the joy they bring is worth every bite!
Storage & Reheating Instructions for Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated
To keep your simple Christmas cookies decorated fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain their texture and flavor for up to a week. If you have decorated them with royal icing, make sure the icing has hardened completely before stacking them to avoid any smudges. If you need to keep them longer, you can freeze the undecorated cookies! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature and then get creative with your decorations!
Print
Simple Christmas Cookies Decorated: 5 Tips for Holiday Joy
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple recipe for Christmas cookies that are easy to decorate.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 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
- Sprinkles or edible glitter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool before decorating with royal icing and sprinkles.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different cookie cutters for various shapes.
- Feel free to customize icing colors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: simple christmas cookies decorated
