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Twisted Christmas Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 72 reviews

These Twisted Christmas Cookies with Almond & Citrus Icing are a festive treat combining classic buttery cookie texture with a unique almond extract twist and bright orange zest. Perfectly crisp at the edges with a tender center, these cookies are beautifully decorated with smooth royal icing and vibrant holiday colors. Ideal for holiday parties, gifting, or edible ornaments, they bring both joy in the baking process and delight in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 14 oz (400g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • Zest of 1 orange (optional)
  • 6 cups plain all-purpose flour

For the Icing & Decorations:

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
  2. Cream the Good Stuff: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light, pale, and fluffy to incorporate air for tender cookies.
  3. Add the Wet Team: Scrape down the bowl. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest until combined and fragrant.
  4. Bring in the Flour: With mixer on low, gradually add flour in 2-cup increments until dough just comes together. Dough may seem crumbly but should hold when pressed; add a tablespoon of milk if too dry.
  5. Roll and Cut: Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out one-quarter of dough to ¼-inch thickness. Flour cookie cutters before cutting shapes like trees, stars, mittens, and snowflakes.
  6. The Chill Factor: Place cut cookies on prepared baking sheets. Chill in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to re-firm butter and prevent spreading during baking.
  7. Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until edges are slightly golden and centers are set but soft. Watch closely as oven temperatures vary.
  8. Cool Completely: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully. Icing warm cookies will cause melting.
  9. Make the Royal Icing: In a large clean bowl, whisk meringue powder, lemon juice, and water using electric mixer on low until frothy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then beat on high for 4-5 minutes until icing is thick, glossy, and forms stiff peaks for outlining.
  10. Thin and Color: Transfer portions of stiff icing into smaller bowls. Add water dropwise to achieve flood consistency—flows like thick honey and ribbons disappear within 10-15 seconds. Mix in gel food coloring.
  11. Decorate! Outline cookies with stiff icing using piping bags or Ziploc corners. Flood inside areas with thinner icing, guiding with a toothpick. Add sprinkles or edible glitter immediately before icing sets. Allow cookies to dry undisturbed for at least 4-6 hours or overnight.

Notes

  • Use unsalted, room temperature butter for best texture and control of salt content.
  • Softened eggs at room temp help the dough combine smoothly; warm briefly in water if needed.
  • Chilling dough before baking prevents excessive spreading and sharpens cookie edges.
  • Sift powdered sugar thoroughly to avoid lumpy icing and achieve smooth decorating consistency.
  • Adjust icing thickness gradually with water or powdered sugar for perfect outlining and flooding.
  • Cookies can be frozen as dough or baked without icing for up to 3 months; store iced cookies in a single layer for 5 days.
  • Optional variations include lemon-poppy seed, chocolate-dipped, spiced, peppermint, or gluten-free substitutions.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday baking, almond extract cookies, royal icing, festive cookies, holiday treats, cookie decorating, seasonal cookies, orange zest cookies, sugar cookies

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/twisted-christmas-cookies-recipe/