Flavor Slice & Bake Holiday Cookies

$- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon almond extract - ½ teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon salt - Food coloring (red, green, and any other holiday color of your choice) - Sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration When measuring flour, use a spoon to scoop it into the cup. This helps avoid too much flour. If you need a dairy-free option, try using coconut oil instead of butter. You can also use brown sugar for a richer taste. If you do not have almond extract, just use more vanilla extract. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients makes a big difference in taste. Fresh butter gives the cookies a rich flavor. Granulated sugar helps the cookies to be sweet and crisp. Choose pure vanilla extract over imitation for a better taste. Good food coloring should blend well. This helps your cookies look vibrant and festive. Quality ingredients lead to better cookies you and your friends will love. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by creaming the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon. Beat until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step adds air, making the cookies soft. Next, crack in one large egg and add the vanilla and almond extracts. Mix until everything blends well. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together. Gradually add this mix to the wet ingredients. Stir until a dough forms. It should feel soft but not sticky. Now, divide the dough into three equal parts. Leave one part plain. Color the other two parts with food coloring. Knead the color in until it spreads evenly. Choose any colors that remind you of the holidays. Roll each colored dough into logs, about two inches thick. Use your hands to shape them. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap. Chill the logs in the fridge for at least two hours. This step firms up the dough and makes it easier to slice. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). After the dough is firm, take the logs out of the fridge. Slice them into rounds, each about a quarter inch thick. Place the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure to space them one inch apart. For a festive touch, sprinkle the tops with colorful sugar or sprinkles. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for the edges to turn lightly golden. After baking, let them cool for a few minutes on the sheet. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. To get even slices, keep the dough cold. After chilling, use a sharp knife. Cut with a smooth motion. Avoid pressing down too hard. Slice about ¼ inch thick for the best results. This thickness helps the cookies bake evenly. Baking time can vary. Your oven may heat differently. Start checking the cookies at 10 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges. If they need more time, check every minute. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies. Keep an eye on them for the best texture. Decorating is where the fun begins! Use sprinkles or colored sugar for a festive look. You can mix colors for a rainbow effect. Try drizzling melted chocolate on top for extra flair. Use cookie bags tied with ribbons for gifts. Arrange them on a pretty platter for sharing. Pro Tips Chill the Dough Thoroughly: Ensure the dough is well-chilled before slicing to achieve clean, even edges on your cookies. Experiment with Flavors: Don't hesitate to mix in different extracts or spices to create unique flavor combinations for your cookies. Use Quality Food Coloring: Opt for gel or paste food coloring for more vibrant colors that won't change the dough's texture. Decorate with Care: Apply sprinkles or colored sugar before baking for a festive look, but be mindful not to overload them. {{image_2}} You can change the taste of your cookies easily. Try adding peppermint extract for a minty twist. You can use chocolate chips for a rich flavor. Mix in nuts or dried fruits for extra texture. Each change gives a new feel to your cookies. Sprinkles are fun, but you can use more! Try crushed candy canes for a festive crunch. Drizzle melted chocolate on top for a sweet touch. Use colored icing to make fun shapes and designs. Let your creativity shine through your decorations. Want a gluten-free version? Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. For a vegan cookie, swap the butter for coconut oil. Use a flax egg instead of a real egg. These changes keep the taste great and fit different diets. Store your baked cookies in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and soft. Layer the cookies with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep the container at room temperature. This method keeps cookies tasty for up to a week. You can freeze both the cookie dough and baked cookies. For dough, wrap logs in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. They last up to three months in the freezer. For baked cookies, let them cool first. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container. They also last up to three months. To keep your cookies fresh, avoid moisture. Store them in a cool, dry place. If you live in a humid area, add a moisture absorber to the container. You can also freeze some cookies for later. This lets you enjoy holiday treats anytime! Yes, you can use any colors you like! Food coloring makes your cookies bright and fun. I love mixing colors to match my holiday theme. Just remember to knead the dough until the color spreads evenly. This helps create beautiful swirls and patterns in your cookies. The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden. I check them at about 10 minutes. If they look set and are slightly firm to touch, they are ready. Don’t worry if they seem soft; they will harden as they cool. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking! There are many fun ways to serve these cookies! You can stack them on a festive platter for guests. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snowy look. Another idea is to wrap them in clear bags tied with ribbons as gifts. These cookies also pair well with hot cocoa or warm milk, making them a great treat for any holiday gathering. In this blog post, we covered the key ingredients for your cookie dough and their importance. I shared step-by-step instructions to make the baking easy. You learned tips to get the perfect slice and adjust baking times. We also explored fun variations to mix up the flavors and decorations. Lastly, I explained how to store your cookies for long-lasting freshness. When you follow these guidelines, you’ll bake tasty cookies everyone loves. Happy baking!$

Flavor Slice & Bake Holiday Cookies

Delicious holiday cookies that are easy to make and fun to decorate.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 12

Total Time 2 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24

Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients

2.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
0.5 teaspoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
as needed Food coloring (red, green, and any other holiday color of your choice)
as needed Sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
Divide the dough into three equal parts. Leave one part plain (this will be your base) and color the other two parts with food coloring of your choice, kneading the color in until evenly distributed.
Roll each colored dough into cylindrical logs, about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Once the dough is firm, remove the cylindrical logs from the fridge and slice them into ¼ inch thick rounds. Place the cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Sprinkle the tops with sprinkles or colored sugar for a festive touch.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Arrange the cookies on a festive platter and sprinkle with additional holiday-themed decorations. You can also package them in clear bags tied with ribbon for a perfect holiday gift!

Keyword baking, cookies, holiday