Christmas Wreath Sugar Cookies
These festive treats are buttery, soft, and adorned with a delicious vanilla frosting, making them perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies
- 113 grams butter (softened at room temperature, separate 2 tbsp to be melted)
- 113 grams granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
For the Frosting
- 1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Instructions
Let us first make the Sugar Cookies
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your cookies will bake evenly and turn out perfectly golden brown.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the room temperature butter and granulated sugar. Use a stand mixer to beat them together for about 1-2 minutes until it’s nice and fluffy.
- While that’s mixing, pop 2 tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe dish and microwave for about 30 seconds until melted. Add the melted butter to the mix.
- Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract, then whip it all together until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Now, sprinkle in the salt and baking powder, mixing to combine. Gradually add the flour, about ¼ cup at a time, until it’s fully incorporated.
- Form the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for 90 minutes. This step is crucial as it helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Once the dough is chilled, remove it from the fridge and cut it in half. It’s easier to work with smaller pieces at a time. Sprinkle some flour on your baking surface and roll out the dough until it’s about ¼ inch thick.
- Using a round cookie cutter (or a glass), cut out round shapes from the dough. Then, take a smaller glass or cookie cutter to cut out the center of each round to create that iconic wreath shape.
- Place your cookie cutouts onto a baking mat or parchment paper and pop them in the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly browned (if you prefer a crisper cookie). For softer cookies, bake for a bit less time.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
Now, let us create the frosting!
- Beat the Butter: Make sure your stick of unsalted butter is at room temperature, then beat it with a stand mixer until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add in the confectioner’s sugar, about ½ cup at a time, mixing until it’s fully incorporated.
- Add the vanilla extract and almond milk, mixing until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
For the last part, let us decorate the cookies!
- Spread a generous amount of frosting on each cooled cookie and get creative! You can use sprinkles, mini candies, or even edible glitter to give your cookies that extra holiday sparkle.