Festive Wreath Cookies: A Holiday Delight
Brighten up your holiday festivities with these charming wreath cookies, a treat thats as delicious as it is beautiful! Perfect for sharing or adding to your dessert table!
Ingredients:
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– teaspoon almond extract optional
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
– teaspoon baking powder
– teaspoon salt
– Green food coloring
– Assorted edible sprinkles, nonpareils, and candy pearls
Instructions:
1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350F 175C. Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together until well blended.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 minutes.
4. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using to the butter mixture. Beat well until everything is fully integrated.
5. Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
6. Roll the dough into small balls, roughly one tablespoon each, and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Firmly press each ball into a round shape.
7. Using a spoon or your finger, press a small hole in the center of each cookie to form a wreath shape.
8. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to ensure they dont overbake.
9. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
10. While waiting for the cookies to cool, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and milk, mixing until the frosting reaches a fluffy consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract and add green food coloring until you achieve your desired festive shade.
11. Once the cookies are cool, spread a layer of green frosting on each one. Get creative with your decorations by topping them with a variety of sprinkles, nonpareils, and candy pearls.
12. Allow the frosting to set before serving these delightful wreath cookies or storing them for later enjoyment.
Nutritional Information: Approximately 230 kcal per cookie
Time: Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes