With Christmas around the corner, you could never go wrong with treats like cookies. Here is how to make some of the cutest cookies that Santa will enjoy this year!

Recipe: (Sallys Baking Addiction)

• 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• optional for flavor: 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• royal icing

• After combining flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl, combine butter and sugar together in a large bowl with a mixer on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. Then combine egg, vanilla, and almond extract to the mixture. 
• Add the two mixtures together and mix on low speed until combined. If dough is too soft, gradually add 1 Tablespoon of flour until satisfied. 
• Divide dough and roll until you get the thickness you want. 
• Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or up to 2 days 
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees 
• Use fun Christmas cookie cutters and place cookies 3 inches apart on a baking sheet or parchment paper
• Bake for 11-12 minutes. Edges should be lightly browned. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time. 
• After baking, let cookies cool for at least 5 minutes. 

Time to Decorate!

Using icing from Sallys Baking Addiction, you can easily take your fresh cookies and make it more enjoyable to your liking!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (omit and replace with water for stark white icing)
• 2 teaspoons light corn syrup*
• 4.5–5 Tablespoons (67–75ml) room temperature water
• pinch salt*
• optional: gel food coloring & sprinkles for decorating

Steps:

• After letting cookies cool off, combine your confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, corn syrup, salt, and water to a bowl
• After stirring, it should develop into a harder consistency 
• Keep adding ½ teaspoon of water until desired consistency is reached 
• Decorate!!!!