Christmas cookies are a staple of the holiday season and are a fun and festive way to celebrate with family and friends. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a beginner, there are many different types of cookies that you can make to suit your tastes and skill level. Here’s a recipe for classic sugar cookies that you can decorate with icing and sprinkles for a festive touch:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

For the icing:

• 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons of milk
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. While the cookies are cooling, make the icing by whisking together the confectioners’ sugar and milk in a small mixing bowl. If you want to make multiple colors of icing, divide the icing into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl.
7. When the cookies are completely cool, use a spoon or a small spatula to spread the icing over the top of each cookie. Add sprinkles or any other desired decorations while the icing is still wet.
8. Let the icing set for at least 30 minutes before serving the cookies.

Christmas cookies are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season. Whether you decorate them with icing and sprinkles or leave them plain, they are sure to be a hit with family and friends. Enjoy!

by Sara liamson