Description
Welcome to the holiday season! There’s nothing quite like the sparkle of freshly baked cookies to add a little extra magic to your celebrations. Today, we’re diving into a classic holiday recipe: Christmas Sparkle Sugar Cookies. These Festive Red and Green Sparkle Cookies are easy to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for gifting or sharing at your holiday gatherings. Let’s spread some holiday cheer with these colorful and delicious cookies!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour – This provides the base structure for our cookies.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder – Helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them a light, fluffy texture.
- ¼ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened – Adds a rich, buttery flavor.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar – Sweetens the cookies and gives them a lovely crispness.
- 1 large egg – Binds the ingredients together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds depth to the flavor.
- Red and green sanding sugar – For that festive sparkle and crunch.
Optional substitutions: For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. If you’d prefer a dairy-free version, swap butter with plant-based butter.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Sheet and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside for later.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture, blending until everything is well incorporated.
Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Step 6: Color the Dough
Divide the dough into two equal portions. Add red food coloring to one half and green food coloring to the other, mixing until the colors are vibrant and evenly distributed.
Step 7: Form and Decorate the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in red or green sanding sugar until fully coated, then place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
Step 8: Bake
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just set. Avoid overbaking to keep the centers soft and chewy. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment
2Pcs Heart Shape Cake Pans, Aluminum Heart Cake Mold, Reusable 10 inch
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Kids Chill Leak-Proof Lunch Box – Included Reusable Ice Pack Keeps Food Cold
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- For an extra burst of flavor: Add a pinch of almond extract to the dough. It adds a subtle depth that pairs well with the vanilla.
- Achieve vibrant colors: Gel-based food coloring works best and doesn’t alter the dough’s consistency.
- Uniform cookie size: Use a cookie scoop to ensure even-sized cookies that bake uniformly.
- Prevent sticking: If the dough becomes too sticky, chill it for 10-15 minutes before rolling.