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Easy Twisted Christmas Cookies Recipe (Ready in 95 Minutes!)

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.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 185
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 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

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla, almond extract, and optional orange zest.
  4. Gradually add flour and mix until the dough comes together.
  5. Divide dough in half; color one portion with gel food coloring.
  6. Roll each portion into ropes and twist together gently.
  7. Shape cookies, place on baking sheet, and chill 10–15 minutes.
  8. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden; cool completely.
  9. Prepare royal icing by combining meringue powder, water, lemon juice, and powdered sugar.
  10. 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.