Ah, the holidays! There’s just something magical about this time of year, isn’t there? I always look forward to gathering with family and friends, and one of my favorite traditions is baking Christmas royal icing cookies. The joy of rolling out the dough, cutting it into festive shapes, and then adorning each cookie with colorful royal icing is nothing short of delightful! It’s like creating little edible works of art that everyone can enjoy. Trust me, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the smiles on loved ones’ faces as they bite into these delicious treats. So, if you’re ready to spread some holiday cheer, let’s dive into this scrumptious recipe together!
Ingredients for Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
How to Prepare Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
Prepping the Dough
Alright, let’s get that holiday spirit going by making the dough! First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until it’s all combined. In another bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s nice and fluffy—oh, the smell of that butter is heavenly! Then, mix in the egg and vanilla extract, stirring well. Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to your buttery mixture. Mix until it all comes together into a soft dough. It should feel smooth and just a little sticky!
Shaping and Baking
Now it’s time to get creative! Roll out your dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. You can use a cookie cutter to cut out fun shapes—think stars, trees, or even gingerbread men! Place those adorable shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them in the oven for about 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Once they’re done, resist the urge to dive in right away! Let them cool completely on a wire rack. This step is crucial because icing on warm cookies can lead to a gooey mess!
Making Royal Icing
While those cookies cool, let’s whip up that royal icing. Grab a clean bowl and beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until you see soft peaks forming. It’s like magic! Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing until the icing is glossy and holds its shape. If it’s too runny, just add a bit more powdered sugar. You want it to be thick but still pipeable, so adjust as needed. This icing is what makes your cookies look stunning!
Decorating Your Cookies
Now comes the fun part—decorating! Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to apply the royal icing onto your cooled cookies. For vibrant colors, add gel food coloring to the icing! Just a little bit goes a long way. After decorating, let the icing dry completely; this usually takes a few hours, depending on the thickness. Once dry, you can stack those beauties without worrying about smudging! Enjoy the process and let your creativity shine!
Tips for Success with Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
Alright, let’s make sure your Christmas royal icing cookies turn out absolutely perfect! First off, when you’re measuring your flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife—no scooping straight from the bag, or you might end up with dense cookies! Also, be sure your butter is softened but not melted; it makes a world of difference in texture. When it comes to the royal icing, patience is key. If it feels too thick while decorating, add a tiny splash of water to loosen it up. And remember, letting your cookies cool completely before icing is crucial to avoid that sticky disaster! Lastly, don’t rush the drying time for your icing. Allowing it to set properly ensures your cookies look gorgeous and stay intact for gifting or munching. Trust me, these little details make all the difference!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once you’ve made these festive Christmas royal icing cookies, you’ll want to keep them as fresh and delicious as possible! Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tasty for about a week—if they last that long! If you’re planning to make them ahead of time for a special occasion, they freeze wonderfully. Just place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. You can freeze them for up to three months!
When you’re ready to enjoy those frozen beauties, simply pull them out and let them thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours. No need to reheat them; they’re best enjoyed just as they are, with their royal icing intact and looking fabulous! If you do have some cookies that you want to warm up a bit, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. Just be careful not to overheat them, as you don’t want to melt that beautiful icing!
Nutritional Information for Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
Now, let’s talk about the numbers behind these delightful treats! Here’s an estimate of the typical nutritional values for one of these scrumptious Christmas royal icing cookies:
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 12g
- Protein: 2g
Keep in mind, these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use and the size of your cookies. It’s always a good idea to adjust according to your dietary needs and preferences. Enjoy your baking, and remember, a little indulgence is part of the holiday joy!
FAQ About Christmas Royal Icing Cookies
Got questions about making these delightful Christmas royal icing cookies? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries that might pop into your mind as you embark on this festive baking adventure.
Can I use other types of flour?
While I always stick with all-purpose flour for these cookies, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends. Just be sure to choose one that’s designed for baking to get the best results!
How long do the royal icing cookies last?
These cookies can last up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature. If you freeze them, they’ll stay fresh for about three months! Just make sure to thaw them at room temperature before you enjoy them.
What if my royal icing is too runny?
If your royal icing ends up a bit too runny, don’t panic! You can thicken it by gradually adding more powdered sugar until you reach that perfect consistency—smooth but still holds its shape.
Can I decorate these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake and decorate these Christmas royal icing cookies a few days in advance. Just make sure the icing is completely dry before storing them, so they don’t stick together.
Is it necessary to use cream of tartar in royal icing?
While it’s not strictly necessary, cream of tartar helps stabilize the egg whites and gives your royal icing that lovely glossy finish. If you don’t have any, you can still make icing without it, but the texture might vary a bit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s super easy to follow—perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike!
- Making these cookies is a delightful family activity; everyone can join in on the fun!
- They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, adding a festive touch to any celebration.
- You can customize the shapes and colors to match your holiday theme or personal style.
- These cookies are not only tasty but also make beautiful gifts—who wouldn’t love a box of homemade treats?
- The process of decorating with royal icing is a creative outlet that sparks joy and excitement.
- They keep well, so you can make them ahead of time and enjoy the festive spirit longer!
Christmas Royal Icing Cookies: 7 Tips for Joyful Baking
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Christmas royal icing cookies perfect for decorating.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla, mix well.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes.
- Place cookies on baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool completely before icing.
- For royal icing, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form, then gradually add powdered sugar.
- Decorate cookies with royal icing as desired.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing.
- Allow royal icing to dry completely before stacking cookies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: christmas royal icing cookies, festive cookies, holiday baking