Christmas Sugar Cookies

I’ve heard my friends tell me their Christmas routine, especially how they would have an unsettling night trying to sleep and be excited at the same time waiting to find what’s in their stockings. We’ve had similar childhood days celebrating Diwali with sleepless nights trying to save our fireworks from other kids in our family and the excitement of new clothes, good food, and bursting fire crackers and these thoughts were enough to keep us awake until dawn. Whether its Diwali or Christmas it doesn’t matter, festive days have the same intention of having fun with your loved ones. The pictures below tell a story too…a family of four gingerbread people are trying to catch some sleep but with so much sugar rush around and milk by the side they are wide awake for Santa to come. Would love to hear your story too.

Step-by-Step Pictorial (Recipe Source: Food.com)

Cream butter, sugar, vanilla essence, almond extract, and eggs using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

sieve all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the flour mixture little by little to the butter and sugar mixture until all the flour is blended and becomes a smooth dough. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Roll the dough into 1/4 inch thick sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut out desired shapes and bake in a preheated 400 F oven for 4 to 6 minutes or until the edges start to brown and the center is well baked. (Note: Mine took exactly 6 minutes and some batch took additional minute. Baking time will vary based on the thickness of your cookies and the type of oven you own. So be on watch while the cookies are baking.) Cool on wire racks completely before adding any topping or icing.

For icing: In a small bowl mix confectioners sugar or powdered sugar, milk, almond extract, and light corn syrup until the icing is smooth and glossy. Add food coloring of your choice and decorate the cookies. Add sprinkles and/or sugar crystals of your choice. Let it set for few minutes. Now have a cup of milk by the side and dig in. Enjoy!!!

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• For Cookies
  • Unsalted Butter (room temperature) — 1 cup
  • Sugar — 1 cup
  • Large Eggs — 2
  • Vanilla Essence — 1/2 tsp
  • Almond Extract — 1/2 tsp
  • All-purpose Flour — 3 1/4 cups
  • Baking Soda — 1/2 tsp
  • Baking Powder — 1/2 tsp
  • Salt — 1/2 tsp
  • Note: If you use salted butter, then skip adding salt in your recipe.

For Icing

• Confectioners’ Sugar (Sifted) — 2 cups
• Milk — 1 to 2 Tbsp (more if needed to achieve right consistency)
• Light Corn Syrup — 1 Tbsp
• Almond Extract — 1/4 tsp (Substitute with Vanilla Essence)
• Food Coloring of your choice

Instructions

1. For cookies
   1. Combine butter, sugar, eggs, almond extract, vanilla essence using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Keep aside.
   2. In another bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   3. Add the flour mixture little by little to the butter and sugar mixture until all the flour is blended and becomes a smooth dough. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
   4. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1/4 inch thick sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut out desired shapes and bake for 4 to 6 minutes or until the edges start to brown and the center is well baked. (Note: Some batch took exactly 6 minutes and some batch took an additional minute. Baking time will vary based on the thickness of your cookies and the type of oven you own. So be on watch while the cookies are baking.) Cool on wire racks completely before adding any topping or icing.

For Icing

1. In a small bowl mix confectioners sugar or powdered sugar, milk, almond extract, and light corn syrup until the icing is smooth and glossy. Add more milk if needed to achieve the right consistency. Add food coloring of your choice and decorate the cookies. Add sprinkles and/or sugar crystals of your choice. Let it set for few minutes. Now have a cup of milk by the side and dig in. Enjoy!!!