Imagine biting into a festive cookie that's not just a treat, but a work of art that captures the magic of the holiday season! These Holly Berry Decorated Cookies are more than just a sweet snack – they're a delightful culinary experience that will transform your kitchen into a winter wonderland. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or simply spreading some seasonal cheer, these beautifully decorated cookies are guaranteed to become the star of your dessert table and create memories that will last long after the last crumb is gone.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 32 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 30 cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Red and green decorative icing
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by gathering all ingredients and equipment, including mixing bowls, electric mixer, baking sheets, and parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking soda until well combined and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft cookie dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help it firm up and make rolling easier.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out cookie shapes using holiday-themed cookie cutters, preferably holly leaf or round shapes.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely on wire racks.
- Once cooled, decorate cookies with red and green icing to create holly berry and leaf designs.
- Optional: Sprinkle decorative sprinkles on icing while still wet for added festive touch.
- Allow decorated cookies to set for 30 minutes before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Tips
- Chill Out: Refrigerating the dough is crucial for easy rolling and preventing spread during baking. Don't skip this step!
- Flour Power: When rolling out the dough, use light, even strokes and dust your surface sparingly to prevent tough cookies.
- Decorating Secrets: - Use a piping bag or squeeze bottle for precise icing designs - Let base layer of icing dry completely before adding detailed decorations - Use toothpicks for creating fine details and fixing small mistakes
- Storage Tip: Store decorated cookies in a single layer between parchment paper to prevent smudging.
- Make-Ahead Magic: These cookies can be baked and frozen unfrosted up to 2 weeks in advance, giving you flexibility during busy holiday preparations.
- Customize Your Design: Not feeling holly? Experiment with different holiday-themed cookie cutters and color schemes!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 92kcal
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 13mg
