Description
These twisted Christmas cookies combine a classic sugar cookie base with a festive, eye-catching twisted design that makes them perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, and cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup white sugar
- 14 oz (400g) butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- Gel food coloring (red, green, gold, white)
- 6 tbsp meringue powder
- 8 tbsp water
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 7 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- Extra water for thinning
- Decorative toppings (sprinkles, edible glitter, crushed candy canes)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla, almond extract, and optional orange zest.
- Gradually add flour and mix until the dough comes together.
- Divide dough in half; color one portion with gel food coloring.
- Roll each portion into ropes and twist together gently.
- Shape cookies, place on baking sheet, and chill 10–15 minutes.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden; cool completely.
- Prepare royal icing by combining meringue powder, water, lemon juice, and powdered sugar.
- Color icing as desired, outline cookies, flood, and decorate while icing is still wet.
Notes
Chilling the shaped cookies before baking helps preserve the twist design. Allow royal icing to dry completely before storing.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-24 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Twisted Christmas Cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas baking, festive cookies