Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe

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Description:

These Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet with a lovely, simple holiday design. The cookies are cut into shapes (typically circles or ovals) and decorated with green “holly” leaves and red “berries” using colored sugar or royal icing. They’re perfect for the holiday season and make for a delightful treat or decoration.

Ingredients:

For the Sugar Cookies:

  • 2 3/4 cups (340g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (or as needed)

For Decorating:

  • Green sanding sugar or green colored sugar (for holly leaves)
  • Red sanding sugar or red colored sugar (for berries)
  • Royal icing (optional for more detailed designs)

Instructions:

1. Make the Cookie Dough:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until fully incorporated.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, you can add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it reaches a workable consistency. Add milk as needed to help bind the dough.

2. Chill the Dough:

  • Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out.

3. Roll Out the Dough:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out one portion of the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
  • Using a cookie cutter (round or oval works best), cut out your cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-2 inches apart.

4. Decorate the Cookies:

  • If you’re using colored sugar, lightly press a few sugar crystals into the center of each cookie (for the berry) and on one side of the cookie (for the holly leaves).
  • Use a small spoon or your fingers to sprinkle green sugar in a holly leaf shape (this can be freehand or use a stencil for more precision). For the berries, use red sugar.
  • Alternatively, you can use royal icing to create more intricate holly leaves and berries. For the leaves, pipe the icing into small leaf shapes, and for the berries, pipe small dots.

5. Bake the Cookies:

  • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden. Be careful not to overbake to maintain their soft texture.
  • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Finishing Touches:

  • If using royal icing, allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating with the icing. Once decorated, let the cookies set for about 30 minutes to an hour before serving or packaging.

Tips for Success:

  • Chill the Dough: This step is key to prevent the dough from spreading too much during baking. The cold dough holds its shape better when baked.
  • Use a Cookie Cutter: If you’re not confident in freehand piping or pressing sugar, a round or oval cookie cutter works great for these cookies.
  • Royal Icing: If you’re using royal icing for decorating, you can make your own by mixing powdered sugar, egg whites, and a little water. It can be piped into detailed shapes like holly leaves and berries for a more polished look.
  • Don’t Overwork the Dough: Once the dough is mixed, avoid overworking it, as this can make the cookies tough. Handle the dough as little as possible when rolling it out.

Recommendations:

  • Gift Idea: These decorated cookies make great holiday gifts. Simply stack a few cookies in a cellophane bag, tie with a ribbon, and you’re ready to give a sweet, homemade gift!
  • Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you’ve used royal icing, you may want to keep them in a dry place to avoid any softening of the decorations.
  • Customization: You can easily change up the decorations based on the holiday. Use green sugar for leaves and red sugar for berries, but you could also add white or gold sugar for a frosty look.

Nutritional Information (per cookie, assuming 24 cookies):

  • Calories: 120 kcal
  • Protein: 1g
  • Carbs: 18g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg
  • Sodium: 60mg

(Note: Nutritional values are approximations and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.)

These Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies are not only delicious but also an incredibly festive treat to brighten up your holiday celebrations. Enjoy decorating and indulging in these sweet, cheerful cookies!

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