Description
These Easy Christmas Icebox Cookies are festive, buttery, and delightfully tender with a perfect balance of sweet vanilla flavor and colorful holiday sprinkles. Simple to prepare and bake, these cookies are ideal for holiday gatherings and gift-giving, offering a classic treat with a fun seasonal twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup red, green, and white Christmas sprinkles
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Icing
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and Christmas sprinkles until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until a dough forms. Do not overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape the Dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm enough to slice.
- Preheat Oven and Slice Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dough logs from the fridge and slice into ¼-inch thick rounds, spacing them about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should remain pale.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth and slightly runny. Drizzle or spread over cooled cookies as desired.
- Serve and Store: Allow icing to set before serving. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easy creaming and better texture.
- Refrigerating the dough logs is essential for clean slices and maintaining shape.
- Use parchment or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Customize icing with colored sugars or extra sprinkles for festive decoration.
- For a dairy-free variant, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a non-dairy milk for icing.
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday baking, icebox cookies, sprinkles cookies, vanilla cookies