Description
Twisted Christmas Cookies with Almond & Citrus Icing are delicious and festive treats perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (for icing)
- Sprinkles or chopped nuts (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, orange zest, and lemon zest to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a log about 1 inch in diameter. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Once chilled, remove the dough from the refrigerator and slice each log into ¼-inch thick rounds. Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, milk, and almond extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the icing over the tops and sprinkle with optional garnishes like sprinkles or chopped nuts. Allow the icing to set for about 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a festive touch, add a few drops of red or green food coloring to the icing for a holiday-themed look.
- Substitute the almond extract with vanilla extract for a different flavor profile, or try adding a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the dough for a warm spice flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Twisted Christmas Cookies, Almond Icing, Citrus Icing, Holiday Cookies