CHRISTMAS BUTTER COOKIE CUTOUTS
This recipe is a classic that came out of the Betty Crocker Test Kitchens a while ago, but in our book, a recipe that stands the test of time is the only kind worth having! We recently baked up a batch of these cookies to give them a refreshed recipe image, and we can attest that these are an exceptionally fun option for bakers who want to make something that's achievable but still stretches their skills. The base for these cookies is delightfully short and treads the perfect line between being tender and having a satisfying little snap. Once they're out of the oven and cooled, the real fun begins. First they get brushed with a thin icing that forms a lovely, smooth canvas for decorating. Once that's set, creativity takes center stage, and you can test your hand at decorating with royal icing and all the sprinkles, sugars and nonpareils you can find in your pantry. The editor who took on the task of decorating these was intimidated at first, having a complicated history with royal icing, but found the recipe included below easy to work with to create beautiful cookies. Set aside some time to devote to making these cookies when the Christmas spirit really sets in-we promise they'll bring you the comfort and joy of the season!
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 3h30m
Yield 32
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. On low speed, beat in egg, lemon peel and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt until well blended.
- Divide dough into 4 parts; flatten each part into 1/2-inch-thick round. Wrap each in waxed paper or plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Heat oven to 350°F. Remove 1 round of dough at a time from refrigerator. Between sheets of floured waxed paper or plastic wrap, roll dough until 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. Cut with 3-inch cookie cutters in various shapes. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cutouts 1 inch apart.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until edges are golden. Cool on cookie sheets about 1 minute before removing to cooling rack. To make cookies for hanging, using a toothpick or end of plastic straw, carefully poke a hole in the top of each cookie while cookies are still hot. Cool 10 to 15 minutes before frosting.
- In medium bowl, stir together powdered sugar and meringue powder. Stir in 5 teaspoons lemon juice and enough of the 4 to 5 tablespoons water to make a thin icing. Transfer 1/2 cup of the icing into small bowl; set aside. Using a flexible pastry brush, paint cookies to the edges with icing. Place on cooling rack to dry completely, about 30 minutes.
- Beat reserved icing with electric mixer on high speed 5 to 7 minutes or until peaks form. Place in small resealable food-storage plastic bag; cut a very small hole in the bottom of the bag with the plain white icing. Squeeze icing onto glazed cookies. Before icing dries, sprinkle with decorations, and tap off excess. Dry thoroughly on cooling rack. Thread cookies with narrow ribbon for hanging.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 150, Carbohydrate 25 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 Cookie (With Icing Only), Sodium 100 mg, Sugar 16 g, TransFat 0 g
CHRISTMAS CUTOUTS WITH VANILLA ICING
Categories Cookies Bake Christmas Winter Bon Appétit
Yield Makes about 5 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For cookies:
- Sift first 3 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and 1 cup sugar in large bowl to blend well. Add egg, sour cream, and vanilla; beat 1 minute. Beat in dry ingredients in 2 additions until just blended. Gather dough together; divide in half. Flatten each half into disk; wrap in plastic and chill 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled. Soften dough slightly at room temperature before rolling out.)
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Sprinkle work surface and top of dough disks with additional sugar. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness (dough will be very soft). Using assorted 2- to 3-inch cookie cutters, cut out cookies. Transfer to prepared sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Gather scraps and roll out on sugared surface; cut out more cookies. Repeat until all dough is used. Chill all cookies on baking sheets at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until light golden at edges, about 12 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and cool completely.
- For icing:
- Combine 4 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and vanilla in medium bowl. Stir until icing is well blended, smooth, and spreadable, adding more milk by teaspoonfuls if too thick or more sugar by tablespoonfuls if too thin. Using small icing spatula or table knife, spread thin layer of icing atop each cookie. If using colored sugar crystals, sprinkle over cookies before icing sets. If using food-safe colored markers, let icing dry about 30 minutes; decorate cookies as desired. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight between sheets of waxed paper at room temperature.)
- *The Bon Appetit test-kitchen staff used food-safe colored markers, called FooDoodler pens, to decorate these cookies. The markers are available at Sur La Table stores or can be ordered from King Arthur Flour (800-827-6836) or bakerscatalogue.com.
CHRISTMAS CUTOUTS
Making and decorating these tender sugar cookies left a lasting impression on our four children. Adults now, they've all asked for my Christmas cutouts recipe so they can bake them with their own children. -Shirley Kidd, New London, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 35m
Yield about 3-1/2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Shape into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm enough to roll, 2-3 hours., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-in. cookie cutters. Place on ungreased baking sheets., Bake until edges begin to brown, 7-8 minutes. Remove from pan to wire racks; cool completely. , For frosting, beat confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency; tint with food coloring if desired. Spread over cookies. Decorate as desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 134 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 18mg cholesterol, Sodium 74mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
VANILLA BUTTER ROLLOUTS
Even cooks who normally shy away from cut out cookies can make these with confidence. The dough is so easy to work with after a mere 30 minutes of chilling. -Colleen Sickman, Charles City, Iowa
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 35m
Yield about 3 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla and eggs, 1 at a time. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; cover. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm enough to roll. , Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2- to 3-in. cookie cutters. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets., Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, beat together butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring. Spread or pipe onto cookies; decorate as desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 214 calories, Fat 10g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 182mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE CUTOUTS
If your Christmas season gets so hectic that you only have time to bake one batch of cookies, we suggest that this be the one you make. This is the kind of sugar cookie that generations of bakers have relied on, with a buttery texture and just-right tenderness. The accompanying glaze requires just three ingredients and is a standby that you can just as easily rely on when you need a glaze on other cookie varieties. It sets up nicely and is ideal for decorating, tinting well and spreading easily. The process of making sugar cookie cutouts is as essential to the holidays as opening gifts and singing Christmas songs, and if you can clear some time out on your schedule, it's a relaxing activity, too. Pull out all your favorite cookie cutters, whether they're classic hearts and stars or cute winter characters like reindeer and penguins, and bake up a batch-this recipe yields 60 cookies. When it's time to decorate, you have a blank canvas to indulge your style and creativity. Some bakers like to go all in on color and whimsy, while others prefer more simple and elegant finishing flourishes-it's all up to you. What we can promise is that no matter what shapes you cut them into or how you decorate them, you'll end up with cookies that are as delicious as they are beautiful.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 4h10m
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, the butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond extract and egg until well blended. Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
- Heat oven to 375°F. Divide dough in half. On lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough 3/16 inch thick. Cut into assorted shapes with cookie cutters, or cut around patterns traced from storybook illustrations. If cookies are to be hung as decorations, make a hole in each 1/4 inch from top with end of plastic straw. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- In medium bowl, beat all frosting ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Tint with food color if desired. Frost and decorate cookies as desired with frosting and colored sugars.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 65, Carbohydrate 9 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Cookie, Sodium 40 mg
CUTOUT CHRISTMAS COOKIES
These old-fashioned Christmas cookies have been a holiday tradition in my family for many years. It was a joy to make these cookies for my children, and now my little granddaughter will soon be enjoying them, too. -Carolyn Moseley, Dayton, Ohio
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 50m
Yield about 6 dozen (2-inch cookies).
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder salt, nutmeg and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill for at least 1 hour. , On a lightly floured surface, roll dough, a portion at a time, to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired with frosting or confectioners' sugar., To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap in plastic and place in a resealable bag. Store in the refrigerator., Freeze option: Freeze undecorated cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw in covered containers and decorate as directed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 116 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 25mg cholesterol, Sodium 95mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.
THE BEST ROLLED SUGAR COOKIES
Whenever you make these cookies for someone, be sure to bring along several copies of the recipe! You will be asked for it, I promise! NOTE: I make icing with confectioners' sugar and milk. I make it fairly thin, as I 'paint' the icing on the cookies with a pastry brush. Thin enough to spread easily but not so thin that it just makes your cookies wet and runs off.
Provided by J. Saunders
Categories Desserts Cookies Sugar Cookies
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 109.5 calories, Carbohydrate 14.7 g, Cholesterol 24.6 mg, Fat 5 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 92.6 mg, Sugar 6.7 g
SUGAR-COOKIE CHRISTMAS TREE CUTOUTS
Freehand glazing gives these cookies an artistic look.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Yield Makes about 2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Put butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface. Roll out to a generous 1/8 inch thick. Using a tree-shape cookie cutter, cut out cookies, and space 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Reroll scraps, and cut out. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
- Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks. Drizzle cookies with icing; sprinkle with nonpareils. Let set.
DECORATED CHRISTMAS CUTOUT COOKIES
Rich, buttery sugar cookie cutouts like these never last long at a party. They're one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to celebrate the holidays tastefully. -Lynn Burgess, Rolla, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 25m
Yield 6 dozen (2-1/2-inch cookies).
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill until firm, 1 hour. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in thickness. Cut out with Christmas cookie cutters of your choice. Using a floured spatula, transfer cookies to greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks., Decorate cookies with frosting and colored sugars.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 47 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 43mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
HOLIDAY CUTOUTS
Steps:
- Follow recipe for basic butter cookies, forming dough into 2 balls (instead of a log) and flattening each into a 6-inch disk. Chill disks, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm, at least 1 hour.
- While oven preheats, roll out 1 piece of dough (keep remaining dough chilled) into a 9-inch round (slightly less than 1/4 inch thick) on a well-floured surface with a well-floured rolling pin. (If dough becomes too soft to roll out, chill on a baking sheet until firm.) Cut out as many cookies as possible from dough with cutters and transfer to 2 ungreased large baking sheets, arranging cookies about 1 inch apart. If garnishing, sprinkle cookies with glitter or nonpareils.
- Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until edges are pale golden, 8 to 10 minutes total, then transfer with a metal spatula to racks to cool completely.
- Gather scraps and chill until firm enough to reroll, 10 to 15 minutes. Make more cookies with remaining dough and scraps (reroll only once) and bake on cooled sheets.
- If coloring icing, transfer 1/4 cup icing to a small bowl for each color and tint with food coloring (if using plain white icing, spoon into 1 bag). Spoon each color icing into a bag, pressing out excess air, and snip an 1/8-inch opening in 1 corner of each bag. Twist each bag firmly just above icing, then decoratively pipe icing onto cookies. Let icing dry completely (about 1 hour, depending on humidity) before storing cookies.
- *Available at New York Cake & Baking Distributor (800-942-2539).
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