The Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies are a delightful blend of buttery goodness and sweet, creamy icing. Each bite of these buttery delicacies will transport you to the heartwarming memories of holiday cheer. These cookies are perfect for holiday occasions, cookie exchange parties, or as a memorable gift to family and friends.
Most of the ingredients used in this recipe such as unsalted butter, confectioners' sugar, all-purpose flour, almond extract and milk are often available in home kitchens. However, less commonly found is the light corn syrup, used in the icing, which gives the cookies a shiny, glossy finish. Food coloring and sugar decorations are used for a festive touch. When shopping, look for these in the baking section of the supermarket.
Ingredients Needed for the Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies
Confectioners' sugar: This is a very fine powdered sugar that provides a smooth texture in baking and is perfect for making icing.
Unsalted butter: This is used to give the cookies a rich and buttery flavor.
Large yolk: This adds richness and binds the ingredients together.
Salt: A crucial ingredient that enhances flavor.
Almond extract: Provides a sweet, nutty flavor.
All purpose flour: This is the main structure in the cookies.
Corn syrup: This gives the icing a shiny, glossy finish.
Milk: Used to create the icing.
Food coloring and sugar decorations: These are used for a festive touch.
One reader, Laird Mott says:
These holiday cut-out butter cookies are a delight! The recipe was easy to follow, and the cookies turned out beautifully. The almond extract added a lovely flavor, and the icing was the perfect finishing touch. They were a hit at my holiday gathering and everyone asked for the recipe!
Techniques Required for Making Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies
How to prepare the cookie dough: Combine the ingredients in an electric mixer, beat until smooth, and then shape the dough into discs before refrigerating.
How to roll and cut the cookie dough: Let the dough soften, roll it out to the desired thickness, and use cookie cutters to cut shapes.
How to make the icing: Combine sugar, milk, and corn syrup to make a thick but spreadable icing. Adjust the consistency as needed.
How to decorate the cookies: Dollop the icing on the cookies and use a spoon, knife, toothpick, or finger to spread it to the edges. Sprinkle with colored sugar or other decorations while the icing is still wet.
How to store the cookies: Allow the icing to harden before storing the cookies in an airtight container.
How To Make Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies
Add more festivity to your holidays with these butter cookies. They taste as good as they look- with a buttery cookie and a perfectly sweet icing glaze.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Cookies:
- 1¼cupsconfectioners’ sugar
- 1cupunsalted butter,(2 sticks plus 2 tbsp), at room temperature
- 1large yolk
- ¾tspsalt
- 1tspalmond extract
- 2¾cupsall purpose flour,spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off with knife
For Icing:
- 2¼cupsconfectioners’ sugar
- 2tbsplight corn syrup
- 2tbspmilk,(plus 1 tsp)
- food coloring,optional
- sugar decorations,optional
Instructions
-
Combine the confectioners’ sugar, butter, egg yolk, salt, and almond extract in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until smooth.
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Add the flour and mix on low speed until well combined. The mixture will seem dry and crumbly at first, but it will come together.
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Scrape the dough onto a work surface. Shape into a ball and cut in half; form 2 discs, then wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
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Remove the dough from the refrigerator; let it soften on the countertop for 20 to 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Work the dough with hands for a minute or so, until it feels soft and pliable enough to roll. Be careful not to overwork it; it should still feel cold.
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Sprinkle work surface lightly with flour. Lightly sprinkle the top of the dough and the rolling pin with flour as well. Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll to ⅛ inch thick, sprinkling more flour over and under the dough as needed so that it doesn’t stick.
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Use cookie cutters to cut shapes. Use a thin metal spatula to lift the cut dough off of the counter and onto the prepared baking sheets. Re-roll and cut the dough scraps, dusting more flour as necessary so the dough doesn’t stick.
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Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, until they’re set and barely browned around the edges.
Icing:
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Combine the sugar, milk, and corn syrup in a medium bowl. Stir with a spoon to make a thick but spreadable icing. If the glaze is too thin, add additional confectioners’ sugar. If it’s too thick, dribble in additional milk, half a teaspoon at a time.
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Using a small spoon, dollop the icing on the center of the cookies and use a spoon, knife, toothpick or finger to spread it all the way to the edges.
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Sprinkle with colored sugar or other sugar decorations while the icing is still wet.
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Allow the icing to harden, then serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 78.62kcal
- Fat: 3.14g
- Saturated Fat: 1.96g
- Trans Fat: 0.12g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.80g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.14g
- Carbohydrates: 12.17g
- Fiber: 0.15g
- Sugar: 7.68g
- Protein: 0.64g
- Cholesterol: 8.18mg
- Sodium: 30.42mg
- Calcium: 2.53mg
- Potassium: 7.96mg
- Iron: 0.27mg
- Vitamin A: 26.11µg
Technique Tip for Perfectly Shaped Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies
When rolling out your cookie dough, it's important to maintain an even thickness throughout. This ensures that all your cookies bake at the same rate, preventing some from being overcooked while others are undercooked. A good way to achieve this is by using rolling pin guides or bands. These are rings of varying thicknesses that you place on either end of your rolling pin, ensuring an even thickness throughout your dough.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies
Chill the dough: Chilling the cookie dough for at least 2 hours or overnight will make it easier to handle and prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Roll out the dough efficiently: Work with one piece of dough at a time, and roll it out to the desired thickness between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and save time on cleanup.
Use silicone baking mats: Using silicone baking mats instead of parchment paper can save time on greasing and lining the baking sheets, and the cookies will bake evenly without sticking.
Substitute Ingredients For Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies Recipe
confectioners' sugar - Substitute with powdered erythritol: Powdered erythritol is a sugar-free alternative that can be used in a 1:1 ratio to replace confectioners' sugar. It provides sweetness without the added calories and carbohydrates.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter. It adds a subtle coconut flavor and works well in cookie recipes.
large yolk - Substitute with 1 tablespoon aquafaba (chickpea brine): Aquafaba can be used as a vegan-friendly alternative to egg yolk, providing moisture and binding properties to the cookie dough.
all purpose flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour can be used as a gluten-free alternative to all-purpose flour, adding a nutty flavor and a tender texture to the cookies.
light corn syrup - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can be used as a natural sweetener in the icing, providing a rich flavor and a similar consistency to light corn syrup.
milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk can be used as a dairy-free alternative to milk, adding a hint of coconut flavor to the icing.
Presentation Ideas for Festive Butter Cookies
Elevate the cookie presentation: Arrange the holiday cut-out butter cookies on a pristine white platter, ensuring they are evenly spaced and visually appealing.
Incorporate edible garnishes: Add a touch of elegance by garnishing the cookies with delicate sugar decorations and a sprinkle of edible glitter for a festive and luxurious touch.
Create a stunning color palette: Use a variety of vibrant food coloring to create a visually stunning array of cookies, showcasing a beautiful spectrum of colors that are visually appealing.
Utilize precision in icing application: Apply the icing with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring each cookie is adorned with a flawless and artful design, showcasing your culinary expertise.
Present with finesse: Arrange the cookies in a visually appealing pattern, paying attention to symmetry and balance, creating a presentation that is both visually striking and inviting.
Incorporate seasonal elements: Add a touch of seasonal charm by incorporating festive cookie cutters and shapes that capture the essence of the holiday spirit, adding an extra layer of creativity to the presentation.
Essential Tools for Making Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies
Electric mixer: An electric mixer is used to cream the butter and sugar together for the cookie dough, creating a smooth and fluffy texture.
Paddle attachment: The paddle attachment is used with the electric mixer to combine the ingredients for the cookie dough, ensuring a uniform and well-mixed consistency.
Rolling pin: A rolling pin is essential for rolling out the cookie dough to an even thickness before cutting out the shapes.
Cookie cutters: Cookie cutters are used to cut the rolled-out dough into various holiday shapes, adding a festive touch to the cookies.
Baking sheets: Baking sheets are used to place the cut-out cookie dough for baking in the oven, providing a flat and heat-conductive surface for even baking.
Parchment paper: Parchment paper is used to line the baking sheets, preventing the cookies from sticking and making cleanup easier.
Thin metal spatula: A thin metal spatula is used to lift the cut-out cookie dough from the work surface and transfer it onto the prepared baking sheets without distorting the shapes.
Mixing bowl: Mixing bowls are used to prepare the icing for decorating the cookies, allowing for easy stirring and mixing of the ingredients.
Spoon: A spoon is used to mix the icing ingredients together, ensuring a smooth and spreadable consistency for decorating the cookies.
Knife or toothpick: A knife or toothpick is used to spread the icing onto the cookies and create decorative patterns or designs.
Food coloring: Food coloring is used to tint the icing, adding vibrant and festive colors to the cookies for a visually appealing presentation.
Colored sugar or sugar decorations: Colored sugar and other sugar decorations are sprinkled onto the wet icing to add a touch of sparkle and decorative flair to the cookies.
Storing and Freezing Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies
- The cookies are best eaten within a day or two, when they are perfectly tender and crisp. They'll keep much longer stored in an airtight container, but they'll soften up.
- To freeze the cookie dough: Shape the dough into 2 discs, wrap each securely in plastic wrap, and place them in a sealable bag. The cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, remove the disks from the freezer, thaw the dough until pliable, and then proceed with the recipe.
- To freeze the baked cookies: Let the cookies cool completely and store them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove the cookies from the container and let them come to room temperature.
Random Fact about Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies
The holiday cut-out butter cookies recipe is a classic treat that can be customized with various shapes and decorations. These cookies are perfect for festive occasions and can be a fun activity for the whole family. They can be stored in an airtight container for longer shelf life, but are best enjoyed within a day or two for optimal texture and flavor. The dough can also be frozen for up to 3 months, making it convenient for future use. Decorating options for these cookies are endless, allowing for creativity and personalization. Enjoy making and sharing these delightful holiday cut-out butter cookies with your loved ones!
Is Making Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies at Home Cost-Effective?
This holiday cut-out butter cookies recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients are commonly found in most kitchens, and the recipe yields a large batch of cookies. The cost for a household of 4 people is approximately $10-$15, making it an affordable treat for the holidays. The versatility of the cookies, along with the joy they bring, makes this recipe a solid 9 out of 10.
Are Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies Healthy or Unhealthy?
This holiday cut-out butter cookie recipe, while delicious and festive, is not particularly healthy. The main ingredients - confectioners' sugar, butter, and all-purpose flour - are high in calories, saturated fat, and refined carbohydrates. The icing, made with more confectioners' sugar and corn syrup, adds additional empty calories and sugar to the cookies. Consuming these cookies in excess can contribute to weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, and blood sugar imbalances.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour to increase fiber content
- Reduce the amount of confectioners' sugar in both the cookie dough and icing, or use a natural sweetener like coconut sugar or maple syrup
- Use a portion of the butter with a healthier fat source, such as coconut oil or mashed avocado
- Incorporate ground flaxseed or chia seeds into the dough for added nutrition
- Opt for a lighter icing or glaze made with Greek yogurt or a sugar-free alternative
- Decorate the cookies with chopped nuts, dried fruit, or a sprinkle of cinnamon instead of sugary decorations
Editor's Thoughts on This Delightful Holiday Cookie Recipe
The holiday cut-out butter cookies recipe is a classic and delightful treat for the festive season. The combination of confectioners' sugar, butter, and almond extract creates a rich and buttery flavor, while the icing adds a sweet and decorative touch. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, making it an enjoyable baking experience for both novice and experienced bakers. The option to freeze the dough for future use adds convenience. Overall, this recipe is a wonderful choice for creating delicious and beautifully decorated cookies to share with family and friends during the holidays.
Enhance Your Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies Recipe:
This holiday cut-out butter cookies recipe is a tried and tested classic, perfected over generations. The confectioners' sugar, unsalted butter, and almond extract create a rich, buttery flavor that's simply irresistible. The meticulous instructions ensure foolproof results, and the icing adds a delightful touch of sweetness. Trust in the quality of the ingredients and the expertise behind this recipe, and you'll be rewarded with beautifully festive and delicious cookies. Embrace the joy of holiday baking with this time-honored recipe.
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