Description
Twisted Christmas Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that brings joy to any gathering. These vibrant, decorated cookies feature a harmonious blend of vanilla, almond, and orange zest, making them not only visually appealing but also delicious. Perfect for cookie exchanges, festive parties, or cozy family nights at home, their unique twist on traditional flavors sets them apart in your holiday baking repertoire. Easy to customize with colorful icing and toppings, these cookies are perfect for gifting or simply enjoying with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup white sugar
- 14 oz 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
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest; mix until smooth.
- Gradually combine plain flour to form a dough; add milk if necessary.
- Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness and use cookie cutters to create festive shapes.
- Chill cut cookies in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes before baking.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden around the edges; cool completely on wire racks.
- For icing, whisk together meringue powder, lemon juice, water, and powdered sugar until glossy; decorate with food coloring and toppings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg