Go Back
–+ servings
Twisted Christmas Cookies

Twisted Christmas Cookies to Brighten Your Holiday Baking

Twisted Christmas Cookies are delightful festive treats infused with almond extract and citrus zest, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 1 cup white sugar Use granulated sugar for the best texture in your cookie base.
  • 14 oz unsalted butter Opt for unsalted butter to maintain control over the cookie’s saltiness.
  • 2 eggs Room temperature helps achieve a smoother, lighter dough.
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract Enhance flavor; consider more almond extract for a richer taste.
  • 1 tsp almond extract Festive flavor boost; swap for vanilla if allergies arise.
  • 1 zest of orange Adds a bright note; lemon zest is a refreshing alternative.
  • 6 cups plain flour All-purpose flour works best; spoon and level for accuracy.
For the Icing
  • 6 tbsp meringue powder Serves as a stabilizer; egg whites can be used for freshness.
  • 8 tbsp water Adjust for ideal icing consistency—thinner for drizzling, thicker for decorating.
  • 2 tsp lemon juice Adds acidity; vinegar can be a last-minute substitution.
  • 7 cups powdered sugar, sifted For sweetness and structure; sift to avoid lumps.
  • gel food coloring (red, green, gold, white) Great for festive decoration; liquid coloring changes icing texture.
  • sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes Elevate presentation and customize based on your theme!

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie cutters
  • piping bag

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together 14 oz of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of white sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes).
  3. Add 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp almond extract, and zest of 1 orange. Mix until smooth.
  4. Gradually add 6 cups of plain flour, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
  5. Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness and cut out festive shapes.
  6. Chill the cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to maintain shape.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are light golden and centers are soft.
  8. Prepare the icing by whisking 6 tbsp meringue powder, 2 tsp lemon juice, and 8 tbsp water. Add 7 cups sifted powdered sugar.
  9. Tint the icing with gel food coloring and decorate cooled cookies.
  10. Allow the decorated cookies to set at room temperature until icing hardens completely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 40mgSugar: 10gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Chill your dough before baking to prevent spreading. Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!