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Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Gather Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature, which helps in achieving a smooth dough.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Combine Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using), mixing until combined.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Chill the Dough (Optional): If time allows, refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Flatten the Cookies: Lightly press each dough ball down with the bottom of a glass or your fingers to flatten them slightly, as they will not spread much during baking.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
Cool: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 7: Prepare the Icing
Make the Icing: In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. If the icing is too thick, add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Color the Icing: Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring to achieve your desired colors. Mix well.
Step 8: Decorate the Cookies
Ice the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled completely, use a piping bag or a small offset spatula to spread or pipe the icing onto the cookies.
Add Decorations: Sprinkle with festive sprinkles or other decorations while the icing is still wet, allowing them to adhere.
Nutrition Facts (Per Cookie, based on 24 servings)
Calories: 150
Total Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 30mg
Sodium: 60mg
Total Carbohydrates: 22g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 2g
Note: Nutrition values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
Tips for Making Festive Almond Sugar Cookies
Butter Temperature: Ensure that your butter is softened but not melted. This will help achieve the right texture in your cookies.
Cookie Thickness: For thicker cookies, keep the dough balls rounded and do not flatten them too much before baking. Adjust the baking time slightly as needed.
Decorating Ideas: Get creative with your icing! Use different colors and techniques to create designs, patterns, or even simple faces on your cookies.
Flour Measurement: When measuring flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This prevents packing and ensures you don’t add too much flour.
Chilling the Dough: If you’re short on time, you can skip chilling the dough, but chilled dough is easier to handle and yields better-shaped cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
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