Candied Christmas Cookies

These Candied Christmas Cookies are a sweet and festive treat that will add a touch of magic to your holiday season. Soft, chewy, and sweet, these cookies are perfect for decorating with colored sugar or sprinkles to make them extra special.

Ready Time

2 hrs

Yields

10 servings

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.

Set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

Gradually mix in the flour mixture until a dough forms. Divide the dough into 2-3 portions, depending on how thick you want your cookies to be.

Roll out each portion of dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter. Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once the cookies are cool, decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles.

You can get creative here and make fun designs or patterns!

Notes

Make sure to use room temperature butter for the best results, as it will help the cookies to be light and fluffy.

If you find the dough too sticky, add a little more flour.

If it’s too dry, add a little more butter.

It’s all about finding that perfect balance! To ensure the cookies retain their shape, make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.

This will help the butter to firm up and the cookies to hold their shape while baking.

Use a variety of cookie cutters to create fun shapes and designs.

You can also use a glass or a knife to cut out simple shapes.

If you want a crisper cookie, bake for 12-14 minutes.

If you prefer a chewier cookie, bake for 8-10 minutes.

It’s all about your personal preference! For a more vibrant color, apply the colored sugar or sprinkles to the cookies immediately after they’ve cooled.

You can also experiment with different types of decorations, like glazes or icings, to add an extra layer of flavor and color.