Christmas Ornament Sugar Cookies

These Christmas Ornament Sugar Cookies are a fun and festive treat that are perfect for decorating with your favorite colors and designs! With their buttery, soft texture and ability to be shaped like ornaments, they’re sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. Get creative with icing and sprinkles to make each cookie as unique as the ornaments on your tree!

Ingredients:

For the Sugar Cookies:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract (optional)
• 1/2 tsp salt

For the Royal Icing (for decorating):

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp meringue powder
• 4–6 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring (for festive designs)
• Sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugar (optional, for decoration)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Make the Sugar Cookie Dough:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
   • In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
   • Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
3. Chill the Dough:
   • Divide the dough into two portions and wrap each in plastic wrap.
   • Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm. Chilling helps the dough hold its shape when cut.
4. Roll Out the Dough:
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
   • Use a cookie cutter to cut out ornament shapes or a round cutter with a “top” for the ornament hook (you can create a small hole at the top for the “hanger” effect). You can also make your own ornament templates with parchment paper.
5. Bake the Cookies:
   • Place the cookie shapes on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
   • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
   • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Make the Royal Icing:
   • In a large bowl, beat the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water together until smooth and stiff peaks form (about 5 minutes).
   • Add vanilla extract for flavor. If the icing is too thick, add a little more water until you get a piping consistency.
   • Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring for different shades (e.g., red, green, gold, silver).
7. Decorate the Cookies:
   • Once the cookies have cooled completely, use the royal icing to pipe intricate designs onto the cookies.
   • Create the appearance of ornament decorations by adding stripes, polka dots, or festive patterns with the icing.
   • You can also add edible glitter, colored sugar, or sprinkles for extra sparkle and holiday charm.
8. Let the Icing Dry:
   • Allow the royal icing to set for at least 1-2 hours or until hard. The cookies will be ready to handle and serve once the icing has dried.
9. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Once the icing is completely dry, arrange the cookies on a platter or package them as sweet gifts for friends and family!

Tips for Success:

• Icing Consistency: The icing should be thick enough to hold its shape but not too stiff that it cracks. If the icing is too runny, add more powdered sugar; if it’s too thick, add a little more water.
• Creative Designs: Use different piping tips for variety in your decorations, and try out some fun ornament designs like stripes, swirls, or even hand-drawn holiday symbols.
• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They make great holiday gifts when packaged nicely in a gift box or tin.

These Christmas Ornament Sugar Cookies are the perfect way to combine baking and holiday crafting into one delicious, festive activity! With endless decorating possibilities, they’ll be the star of your holiday cookie platter.