Christmas Sugar Cookies

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Egg & Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
4. Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Roll & Cut the Cookies

1. Preheat Oven: Set to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
3. Cut Shapes: Use festive cookie cutters (trees, stars, snowflakes, gingerbread people, etc.) to cut out shapes. Transfer to prepared baking sheets.
4. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Royal Icing

1. Mix Icing: In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Beat until stiff peaks form.
2. Adjust Consistency: Add a few drops of water at a time to thin the icing to your desired consistency for outlining or flooding the cookies.
3. Color the Icing: Divide into bowls and add food coloring to create a palette of festive colors.

Step 4: Decorate

1. Outline & Flood: Use a piping bag with a fine tip to outline the cookies. Thin the icing slightly to flood the inside of the outlines for a smooth base.
2. Add Details: Once the base icing sets, use contrasting colors to add decorative patterns like swirls, dots, or holiday designs (snowflakes, ornaments, etc.).
3. Sprinkles & Glitter: Before the icing sets, add sprinkles, edible glitter, or sanding sugar for extra sparkle.
4. Let Dry: Allow the cookies to dry completely before stacking or packaging (about 2-3 hours, or overnight for best results).

Tips for Success

• Chill the Dough: Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading while baking.
• Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel colors are more vibrant and won’t thin the icing.
• Get Creative: Experiment with different shapes, patterns, and textures to make your cookies unique.

These Christmas Sugar Cookies are as fun to decorate as they are to eat! Whether you make them with family or give them as gifts, they’re sure to add a touch of magic to your holidays. 🎄🍪✨