These Christmas butter cookies are the rich buttery epitome of sweet deliciousness and holiday cheer that you can shape and decorate.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas Butter Cookies, Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe, How do I make Christmas butter cookies recipe, How to make Christmas butter cookies recipe
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 12 minutesminutes
Total Time 32 minutesminutes
Servings 45Cookies
Calories 107kcal
Author Kathleen
Ingredients
Cookies:
1 1/4cupsconfectioners' sugar
1 cup, plus 2 tablespoonsbutter,softened
1largeegg yolk
1/2teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonvanilla
2teaspoonsfinely grated orange zest
2 3/4cupsall-purpose flour
Icing:
2 1/4cupsconfectioners' sugar
2tablespoonslight corn syrup
1 1/2- 3tablespoonswhole milk
Optional Decoration:
jimmies, sprinkles, colored sugar
Instructions
Make the Cookies:
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium, beat together confectioners' sugar, butter, egg yolk, salt, vanilla, and orange zest until mixture is smooth. Gradually add flour and mix until dough is smooth.
Divide the dough in half. Shape each piece into a flattened disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Before rolling out the dough, let it sit out of the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes, until it feels soft enough to roll.
Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets 1 inch apart and bake in preheated oven 12-14 minutes, or centers no longer look raw. Cookies will not brown. Cool 2-3 minutes on baking sheets then remove to a wire rack and cool completely.
Make the Icing:
Combine the confectioners' sugar, corn syrup, and 1 1/2 tablespoon of milk until smooth. If necessary, add more milk, very slowly, until you achieve a thick, spreadable consistency.
Spread each cookie with icing and decorate with jimmies, sprinkles, or colored sugar. Let the icing harden completely before storing.