Twisted Christmas Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Twisted Christmas Cookies are a festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft, buttery, and subtly flavored with almond and orange zest, these cookies are a joy to decorate with colorful icing and festive toppings. They bring both fun and flavor to your holiday baking.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 14 oz (400g) butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• Zest of 1 orange (optional)
• 6 cups plain flour
• 6 tbsp meringue powder
• 8 tbsp water
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 7 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• Extra water (for thinning icing)
• Gel food coloring (red, green, gold, white)
• Sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest (if using) to the butter mixture. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the plain flour, mixing until the dough forms. If it feels dry, add a tablespoon of milk to help bring the dough together.
5. Step 5: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut into festive shapes like trees, stars, or mittens with cookie cutters.
6. Step 6: Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and chill in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes before baking.
7. Step 7: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Step 8: While cookies cool, prepare the icing by whisking together meringue powder, lemon juice, and water until combined. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating until the icing is glossy and smooth. Thin with extra water if necessary.
9. Step 9: Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint each with your choice of gel food coloring.
10. Step 10: Decorate the cooled cookies with the colored icing and add sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes as desired. Allow the icing to set fully before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

• For a softer cookie, do not overbake; edges should just be golden.
• Use orange zest for a subtle citrus brightness, or omit for a classic buttery flavor.
• Try different extracts like peppermint or cinnamon for unique holiday twists.
• If you don’t have meringue powder, royal icing can be made using egg whites, but handle carefully for safety.
• To speed up decorating, outline the cookies first with thicker icing, then flood the center with thinned icing.

Storage

Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, separate layers with parchment paper. If icing feels soft after storage, allow cookies to air dry for a few hours. These cookies are not recommended for freezing once decorated.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it tightly wrapped for up to 3 days before rolling and cutting.

What is meringue powder used for in the icing?

Meringue powder helps stabilize the royal icing, giving it structure and a smooth finish that dries hard for decorating.

Twisted Christmas Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.5 from 126 reviews

These Twisted Christmas Cookies are a festive holiday treat featuring buttery, tender cookies flavored with a hint of almond and orange zest. Decorated with vibrant royal icing and holiday sprinkles, they bring joy to any cookie exchange or holiday gathering. Perfectly crisp at the edges with a soft center, these cookies are as fun to decorate as they are to eat.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 36 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 14 oz (400g) butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• Zest of 1 orange (optional)
• 6 cups plain flour
• 1 tbsp milk (optional, to bring dough together)

For the Icing:

• 6 tbsp meringue powder
• 8 tbsp water
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 7 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• Extra water (for thinning)
• Gel food coloring (red, green, gold, white)
• Sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes (for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and white sugar together until fluffy and light to create a tender cookie base.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest into the butter-sugar mixture and mix until fully combined and smooth.
4. Mix in Flour: Gradually add the plain flour to the wet mixture, stirring continuously until the dough forms. If the dough seems crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk to help it come together.
5. Roll and Cut: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use your choice of festive cookie cutters such as trees, stars, or mittens to cut shapes.
6. Chill Dough: Place the cut cookies on prepared baking sheets and chill them in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes to help maintain their shape while baking.
7. Bake: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. This ensures a crisp edge with a soft center. Remove from oven and cool completely on wire racks.
8. Prepare Icing: In a bowl, whisk together meringue powder, lemon juice, and water. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until a glossy, thick royal icing forms. Add extra water sparingly to reach the desired consistency for decorating.
9. Color and Decorate: Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired. Use the colored icings to decorate your cooled cookies and embellish with sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes for festive flair.
10. Set Icing: Allow the decorated cookies to sit at room temperature until the icing is fully dry and set before storing or serving.

Notes

• For best results, use softened butter, not melted, to achieve a tender crumb.
• The orange zest adds a subtle brightness but can be omitted if preferred.
• Chilling the cut cookies before baking helps prevent them from spreading too much.
• Adjust the consistency of the icing by adding water little by little; thicker for piping details, thinner for flooding.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, royal icing cookies, almond extract cookies, orange zest cookies, festive treats, holiday baking