Description
These Easy Christmas Icebox Cookies are festive, buttery, and tender cookies perfectly adorned with colorful red, green, and white sprinkles. They are simple to prepare, require minimal baking skills, and make a delightful holiday treat that is both visually appealing and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup red, green, and white Christmas sprinkles
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Gently fold in the red, green, and white Christmas sprinkles by hand to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Form the dough into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to slice.
- Slice and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and slice into ¼-inch thick rounds. Place the cookie slices about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden. Do not overbake to ensure the cookies remain tender.
- Prepare the Icing: While the cookies bake, mix the powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl to create a smooth glaze. Adjust consistency with additional milk or powdered sugar as necessary.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, drizzle the powdered sugar glaze over the cookies for added sweetness and festiveness.
Notes
- For best results, chill the dough well before slicing to prevent the cookies from spreading out too much.
- The powdered sugar glaze adds a nice sweetness but can be omitted or replaced with your favorite frosting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- You can customize sprinkles or mix-ins to suit your holiday theme.
Keywords: Christmas cookies, icebox cookies, holiday baking, festive cookies, easy cookie recipe