Description
Baking sweet, intricately decorated cookies that evoke the spirit of fall, perfect for cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 egg whites (or powdered egg white substitute)
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- Food coloring
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla, mixing well. Gradually incorporate the dry mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, wrap each half, and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes.
- Roll and Cut Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out one portion of the dough to ¼-inch thick and use cookie cutters to create shapes.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Make the Royal Icing: Whip egg whites until frothy and then add powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Divide icing and add food coloring.
- Decorate Your Cookies: Once cookies are cool, decorate with icing using piping bags.
Notes
Chill the dough for best results, and experiment with icing colors and patterns.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American