Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies

Creating Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies is such a joyous way to embrace the holiday spirit! Imagine your kitchen filled with the warm, sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies while you decorate them to look like twinkling Christmas lights. These cookies are more than just a treat; they embody the fun and excitement of the holiday season! Softened butter, granulated sugar, and the perfect touch of vanilla and almond extracts come together to create a delightful base. When you chill the dough, it helps the cookies keep their shape during baking. This means you can let your creativity shine when decorating with colorful frosting and sprinkles, making them look like the bright lights that twinkle in windows everywhere during the holidays. Grab your baking supplies, gather around the kitchen, and let’s make some festive memories with these amazing Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies!

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Why This Recipe Works

Creating Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies is a wonderful way to indulge in the festive spirit. The blend of butter, sugar, and extracts creates a soft, flavorful cookie that perfectly captures the joy of the season. Chilling the dough is essential. It not only makes the dough easier to handle, but it also ensures the cookies maintain their shape while baking, which makes the decorating process incredibly smooth. Furthermore, the creamy frosting combined with vibrant sprinkles adds a whimsical touch, mirroring the joy and sparkle of holiday lights.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies

These cookies are not just delicious; they also make for fantastic holiday gifts and decorations. The playful design, mimicking colorful Christmas lights, brings a fun element to your baking. Plus, decorating these cookies offers a great opportunity to bond with family and friends. Whether you’re laughing over which colors to use or showing off your decorating skills, you’ll create lasting memories. These delightful treats become more than just cookies; they become a symbol of shared joy and creativity during the holidays.

Ingredients

• For the Cookies:
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• For the Frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Wilton Black Icing
• Colorful Sprinkles

Preparing the Dough

Beat Butter and Sugar Together

In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter until it’s smooth. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue to cream them together for about 2 minutes. This process should make the mixture light and fluffy, which is key for a delicious cookie texture.

Mix in Egg and Extracts

Next, add in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix everything until the ingredients are well combined and the batter has a smooth consistency. The extracts will infuse the dough with a lovely aroma and flavor.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gradually incorporate this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, a little at a time, until a dough begins to form. This step is essential as it ensures that the flour is evenly mixed throughout the dough.

Chill the Dough

Once you have your dough, form it into a ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This resting time will firm up the dough, making it much easier to roll out later.

Baking the Cookies

Preheat Oven

While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is perfect for getting those golden edges without overbaking the centers. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Roll Out the Dough

After chilling, take the dough out and place it on a floured surface. Roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness. Then, use cookie cutters to cut out shapes that resemble Christmas lights. The fun shapes help bring your cookies to life!

Bake

Transfer the cut-outs to the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. After baking, allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack. This cooling step is crucial to ensure your frosting doesn’t melt when you decorate.

Decorating the Cookies

Make the Frosting

In another large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar, mixing until smooth. Then blend in the vanilla extract to add a nice depth of flavor.

Decorate with Frosting

Once the cookies are completely cooled, it’s time to get creative! Use the frosting to decorate each cookie. If you want to mimic Christmas lights, apply colorful sprinkles and outline the cookies with black icing. The decorative touches will bring joy and charm to your delightful cookies.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies on a festive platter for holiday gatherings. They also make delightful package gifts in decorative boxes for family and friends. These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of hot cocoa or your favorite holiday coffee blends, making the whole experience feel cozy and festive.

Tips for Success

• It’s important to ensure that the butter is softened but not melted, as this will give you the best cookie texture.
• Chill the dough thoroughly to maintain its shape while baking.
• Use a variety of colorful sprinkles to enhance the festive appearance of your cookies.

Variations

• To add a refreshing twist, try incorporating a splash of peppermint extract into the frosting.
• You could also experiment with different flavored extracts to customize the cookies according to your taste.

Storage Tips

Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing the undecorated cookies. Just thaw them before decorating for the freshest taste.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, preparing the dough a few days in advance is possible. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.

2. Can I freeze the cookies?
Absolutely! Bake and cool the cookies completely before freezing. Decorate them after thawing to maintain their freshness.

3. What if I don’t have almond extract?
You can simply omit the almond extract or replace it with more vanilla extract to keep the flavor balanced.

4. How can I make these cookies more colorful?
Using vibrant food coloring in the frosting along with colorful sprinkles will definitely brighten up your cookies.

5. What’s the best way to decorate these cookies?
Use a piping bag for the frosting and outline your designs with black icing. This will give you precise designs, resembling Christmas lights beautifully.

Creating these Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies is about more than the baking. It’s about bringing joy and festivity into your home. The delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the air, and the colorful decorations create a visual feast. These cookies are perfect for sharing during the holidays and making lasting memories. Each bite is a reminder of the warmth and joy that this season brings. Celebrate your love for baking and the holidays with these charming cookies, guaranteed to brighten your festive gatherings!

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