Holiday Sugar Cookies

Holiday Sugar Cookies Recipe from the United Kingdom

Region / culture: United Kingdom | Preparation time: 2 hours | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 12

Introduction

Holiday sugar cookies are a classic treat that are perfect for any festive occasion. These cookies are not only delicious, but also fun to make and decorate with your family and friends.

History

Sugar cookies have been a popular treat for centuries, with recipes dating back to the 1700s. These cookies were often made during holidays and special occasions, as they are versatile and can be shaped and decorated in various ways.

Ingredients

2.25 cups all-purpose flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
0.25 tsp salt
0.75 cups butter or margarine (1.5 sticks), Softened
1 cup sugar
1 Large egg
1 tbsp milk
2 tsp Freshly Grated lemon peel or vanilla extract

How to prepare

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter and 0.75 cup sugar until light and fluffy using a mixer at medium speed. Beat in egg, milk, and lemon peel until well combined. Reduce speed to low and beat in the flour mixture just until blended. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two large cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the dough to a thickness of 0.13 inch using a floured rolling pin. Keep the remaining dough refrigerated. Using floured 3-inch assorted cookie cutters, cut the dough into as many cookies as possible and reserve the trimmings for rerolling. Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. If desired, use a drinking straw or skewer to make a 0.25 inch hole in the top of each cookie for hanging. Sprinkle some of the remaining 0.25 cup sugar over the cookies.
Bake until golden, about 10 minutes, rotating the cookie sheets between the upper and lower oven racks halfway through baking. Using a wide spatula, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
Repeat the process with the remaining dough and trimmings.

Variations

Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm and spicy flavor.
Use different flavored extracts, such as almond or peppermint, for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
Decorate the cookies with colored icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter for a festive touch.

Notes

Makes About 42 Cookies.
Each Cookie: About 76 Calories, 1 g Protein, 10 g Carbohydrate, 4 g Total Fat (2 g Saturated), 14 mg Cholesterol, 66 mg Sodium.
Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 10 minutes Per Batch

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to chill the dough before rolling it out, as this will make it easier to work with and prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

- Use cookie cutters in various shapes to create fun and festive designs.

- Decorate the cookies with colored icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter for a festive touch.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday sugar cookies are perfect for serving at holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a sweet treat for your family and friends.

Cooking Techniques

Chill the dough before rolling it out to make it easier to work with.

- Use cookie cutters to create fun and festive shapes.

- Bake the cookies until they are golden brown for a crisp texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use margarine or shortening instead of butter in this recipe.

- If you don't have vanilla extract, you can use almond or lemon extract as a substitute.

Make Ahead Tips

You can make the dough for holiday sugar cookies ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the cookies on a festive platter or cookie tray and sprinkle with powdered sugar for a decorative touch. You can also package the cookies in decorative boxes or bags to give as gifts.

Pairing Recommendations

Holiday sugar cookies pair well with a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or tea. They are also delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of milk.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store holiday sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. To reheat, place the cookies in a 350°F oven for a few minutes until warm.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of holiday sugar cookies contains approximately 150 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of holiday sugar cookies contains approximately 20 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of holiday sugar cookies contains approximately 8 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of holiday sugar cookies contains approximately 2 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Holiday sugar cookies do not contain significant amounts of vitamins or minerals.

Alergens

Holiday sugar cookies contain wheat, dairy, and eggs.

Summary

Holiday sugar cookies are a delicious treat that are relatively low in protein and high in carbohydrates and fats. They are best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Summary

Holiday sugar cookies are a classic treat that are perfect for any festive occasion. These cookies are easy to make and can be decorated in various ways to suit your taste. Enjoy them with your family and friends during the holiday season!

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of anticipation I felt when I first discovered this recipe for Holiday Sugar Cookies. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl, eager to learn the secrets of the kitchen from my own grandmother. She was a masterful cook, and I would spend hours watching her create delicious dishes from scratch.

One day, as Christmas was approaching, my grandmother announced that she would be making her famous Holiday Sugar Cookies. I watched with wide eyes as she gathered the ingredients and began to mix them together in a large bowl. The smell of butter and sugar filled the kitchen, and I could hardly contain my excitement.

As she rolled out the dough and cut it into festive shapes, my grandmother told me the story of how she had learned to make these cookies. It was a recipe that had been passed down through generations of our family, originating from a distant relative who had immigrated to America from Europe many years ago.

She explained that each shape had a special meaning – the Christmas tree symbolized everlasting life, the star represented the guiding light of the holiday season, and the bell was a reminder to spread joy and cheer to all. I was captivated by the tradition and history behind these simple cookies.

As the cookies baked in the oven, the sweet aroma filled the air and I could hardly wait to taste them. When they were finally done, my grandmother allowed me to help her decorate them with colorful icing and sprinkles. We laughed and chatted as we worked, creating beautiful cookies that sparkled and shone in the light.

When we finally sat down to enjoy our creations, I took a bite of the Holiday Sugar Cookie and was instantly transported to a world of magic and wonder. The buttery sweetness melted on my tongue, and I could taste the love and tradition that had gone into each and every cookie.

From that moment on, I knew that these Holiday Sugar Cookies would always hold a special place in my heart. They became a staple of our Christmas celebrations, a reminder of family, love, and the joy of the season.

Over the years, I have continued to make these cookies for my own family and friends, passing on the tradition and the recipe to the next generation. Each time I bake a batch of Holiday Sugar Cookies, I am filled with memories of my grandmother and the magic of that first Christmas when I discovered the joy of baking.

And so, as I mix together the butter, sugar, and flour, I feel a sense of gratitude for the gift of this recipe and the connection it brings to my past. These Holiday Sugar Cookies will always be more than just a sweet treat – they are a symbol of love, tradition, and the joy of the holiday season.