Esther's Christmas Cookies are the perfect treat to bake during the holiday season. These cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly festive, with their vibrant colors and delightful decorations. With a chewy yet buttery texture, they are an absolute crowd-pleaser. In addition to being a delightful treat to make and eat, these cookies also make excellent gifts. Share the holiday spirit by baking a batch of Esther's Christmas Cookies for your friends and family!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and beat well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough into several portions and add a few drops of food coloring to each portion. Knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed.
- Wrap each portion of dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Take one portion of the colored dough out of the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat the rolling and cutting process with the remaining portions of dough.
- Decorate the cookies with sprinkles or colored sugar.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat the baking and cooling process with the remaining cookie dough portions.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, store them in an airtight container until ready to serve or gift.
