Name: Festive Holly Berry Cookies
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h
Ingredients: 2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted; ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ tsp almond extract (optional); ½ tsp salt; For the Royal Icing:; 3 cups (375g) powdered sugar, sifted; 2 large egg whites (or 4 tbsp meringue powder + 6 tbsp water); ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract; Food coloring: red, green, black; Edible glitter (optional)

As the holiday season approaches, it brings with it the joy of baking and sharing delicious treats with loved ones. One of the most delightful and visually stunning recipes you can add to your holiday repertoire is the Festive Holly Berry Cookies. These buttery, crisp cookies are not only a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes with their elegant decorations inspired by the classic holiday holly. The combination of flavors—vanilla, almond, and buttery goodness—makes each bite a reminder of cheery Christmas memories. Best of all, these cookies are perfect for gift-giving, bringing warmth and festive spirit to your home.

Whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, the Festive Holly Berry Cookies provide an accessible way to create something truly special. With just a handful of ingredients and some time for decoration, you can craft beautiful cookies that are ideal for holiday parties and celebrations. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe and turn your kitchen into a winter wonderland of flavor and festivity. These cookies can be a fun activity to enjoy with family and friends while bringing the joy of baking into your home!

Why You’ll Love This Festive Holly Berry Cookies

Stunning Presentation: The beautifully decorated cookies are sure to impress your guests and become a highlight of any holiday gathering.
Delicious Flavors: A delightful combination of buttery cookies paired with sweet royal icing makes for a tasty treat.
Fun Family Activity: Decorating the cookies can be an enjoyable bonding experience with family and friends, making it a memorable tradition.
Customizable Designs: Feel free to get creative with different colors and patterns, making these cookies uniquely yours!

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into the baking process, it’s essential to set up your kitchen and gather all the necessary tools. Start by ensuring your work area is clean and spacious enough for dough preparation and decorating. You will need basic baking tools, including a mixing bowl, measuring cups, and spoons. An electric mixer will make creaming the butter and sugar easier and faster, ensuring that your cookies turn out light and airy.

Gather cookie cutters in festive shapes—scalloped or round works beautifully for these cookies. You will also need parchment paper for lining your baking sheets to ensure easy removal of the cookies post-baking. For decorating, ensure you have piping bags and various tips to create beautiful details in your icing. Lastly, keep your food coloring, edible glitter, and a small offset spatula handy for the final decorative touches.

Ingredients

2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract (optional)
½ tsp salt

For the Royal Icing:
3 cups (375g) powdered sugar, sifted
2 large egg whites (or 4 tbsp meringue powder + 6 tbsp water)
½ tsp vanilla or almond extract
Food coloring: red, green, black
Edible glitter (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Create the Cookie Dough

Start your cookie-making adventure by creaming the soft butter and powdered sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Beat them on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this is crucial for creating a tender cookie. Once well combined, add in the room temperature egg, followed by the vanilla and almond extracts. Mix until these ingredients are fully incorporated. Now it’s time to add the sifted flour and salt. Gradually mix these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape them into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour. This chilling step helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking, resulting in prettier cookies.

Step 2: Cut and Bake the Cookies

After the dough has chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and roll out one disk of dough to a ¼-inch thickness. Use your scalloped cookie cutter to cut out shapes, and place them on a lined baking sheet. Make sure to leave enough space between each cookie to allow for expansion. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for about 10–12 minutes or until the edges turn a delicate golden brown. Once baked, remove them from the oven and transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to complete their cooling process.

Step 3: Prepare the Royal Icing

While the cookies cool, prepare your royal icing. Begin by beating the egg whites (or meringue mixture) until they reach a frothy consistency. Gradually incorporate the sifted powdered sugar and continue to mix until the icing forms stiff peaks—this indicates that your icing is ready for decorating. If desired, divide the icing into separate bowls for coloring. Use food coloring to create your desired hues: traditional red and green for holly berries and leaves, and black for branch details. Ensure to leave some white icing for the cookie base.

Step 4: Decorate the Cookies

It’s time for the fun part—decorating! Taking your white icing, use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to outline the perimeter of each cookie. Gently flood the outer edge of the cookie with more icing for coverage and use a toothpick or an offset spatula to spread the icing evenly across the top. Allow the base icing to dry completely, typically around 4-6 hours or overnight. Once the base coating is dry, use your colored icing to decorate the cookie further—pipe holly leaves, berries, and branches according to your creative vision. If you want to add a festive twinkle, sprinkle edible glitter on top before the icing sets.

Variations

Protein: Rather than using egg whites, you can opt for vegan meringue powder to make the royal icing suitable for vegans.
Vegetables: Consider adding spices like nutmeg or cinnamon into the cookie dough for a different flavor profile.
Spices: Include peppermint extract instead of almond extract for a refreshing minty twist.

Cooking Notes

To ensure your cookies have a perfect texture, avoid overmixing the dough.
Be sure to measure your flour correctly—spoon it into a measuring cup and level it off for the best results.
If your royal icing is too thick, simply add a few drops of water to reach the desired consistency.
These cookies can be made ahead of time, as they store well for about a week in an airtight container.

Serving Suggestions

Serve alongside a warm cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea for a cozy treat.
Pack them in festive boxes as gifts for friends, family, or neighbors during the holiday season.

Tips

For an extra burst of flavor, add the zest of an orange or lemon to the dough.
If you have kids, let them help with the decoration process, fostering creativity and enjoyment in the kitchen.
When working with colored icing, ensure to use different piping bags to avoid mix-ups of colors.
Plan to make these cookies in advance, as they need a few hours to set properly after decorating.

Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time

Prep Time: 45 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling and decorating)

Nutritional Information

Calories: 120 per cookie
Protein: 1.5g
Sodium: 60mg

FAQs

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes! You can freeze the un-decorated cookies. Make sure they are completely cool, then place them flat in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper.

What should I do if my royal icing is too runny?

If your royal icing is too runny, add a little more powdered sugar until you achieve the desired thickness.

How can I make the cookies softer?

For softer cookies, avoid baking until golden brown. Remove them when they are just set but not browned.

Can I use other extracts for different flavors?

Absolutely! You can experiment with different extracts like orange or peppermint for unique flavors in your cookies.

Conclusion

The Festive Holly Berry Cookies are not just a delicious holiday treat; they embody the spirit of the season with their delightful flavors and beautiful presentation. Your friends and family will be amazed at your baking skills, and these cookies can become a cherished holiday tradition. Don’t hesitate to share your creations and variations with others! We encourage you to comment with your experiences or any personal twists you’ve added to the recipe. Happy baking, and may your holidays be filled with joy and delicious treats!