The holiday season is the perfect time to enjoy recipes that put us in the festive spirit, and these Christmas cookies are an ideal choice. In just a few minutes, you can make cookies with a citrusy touch thanks to the orange, a crunchy texture, and a delicious aroma that will fill your home. Although they’re quick to prepare, the result will be as spectacular as if you’d spent hours in the kitchen. Perfect with tea or to share with the family!
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 120 g butter at room temperature
- 220 g sifted flour
- A pinch of baking powder
- 70 g of icing sugar
- 1 packet of bourbon vanilla sugar (you can substitute it with 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence)
- 2 tablespoons of organic orange zest
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 egg
Preparation
- Prepare for the table:
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients: butter, flour, baking powder, powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, orange zest, salt, and egg.
- Knead well until you obtain a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour . If you have time, let it rest overnight in the refrigerator to intensify the flavors.
- Bake the cookies:
- Preheat oven to 160°C (top and bottom heat).
- Line the baking trays with baking paper.
- Divide the dough into portions and roll it out on a lightly floured surface until very thin.
- Use a star-shaped (or other Christmas-shaped) cookie cutter to shape the cookies. Place them on the baking sheets, leaving a small space between them.
- Baked:
- Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes , until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Final decoration:
- Once cool, sprinkle the cookies with powdered sugar for a snowy, festive touch.
Tips to make them even richer:
- Flavor the dough: If you like to experiment, add a pinch of cinnamon or ground ginger for a warm, spicy touch.
- Decorate to taste: In addition to powdered sugar, you can dip the cookies in melted chocolate or decorate them with icing and colored sprinkles to make them more eye-catching.
- Fresh zest: Be sure to use fresh, organic oranges for a more intense, natural citrus flavor.
- Perfect cut: If you notice that the dough is sticking to the rolling pin, place waxed paper on top to roll it out smoothly.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them crisp and fresh longer. They can last up to 2 weeks.
These Christmas cookies are a delight that can’t be missing from your table. Quick to make, delicious, and full of festive spirit, they’ll become a classic for your end-of-year celebrations. Go ahead and make them and share the magic of Christmas in every bite!