Featuring a fun red and green swirl, this Christmas Sugar Cookies are a festive (and delicious!) way to enjoy the holiday season!
Prep Time45 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Refrigeration Time2 hourshrs30 minutesmins
Total Time3 hourshrs30 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas, christmas cookie, cookie, red and green, sugar cookie
Servings: 36cookies
Calories: 78kcal
Author: David
Ingredients
¾cupunsalted butterroom temperature
¾cupgranulated sugar
1large egg
1tspvanilla extract
½tspalmond extract
2cupsall-purpose flour
¾tspbaking powder
¼tspsalt
red food coloringsee note
green food coloring
Sanding sugarfor decorating
Instructions
Using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes on medium-high speed).
Add egg, vanilla extract and almond extract; mix on low speed until well combined.
Add flour, baking powder and salt; mix on low speed until well combined.
Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Place 1 piece back in mixer bowl and add several drops of red food gel; mix until color is uniform throughout dough.
Repeat process using another piece of dough and the green food gel. (Note: The 3rd piece of dough does not get colored.)
Press each piece of dough into 4” squares and cover each piece individually with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Remove one piece of dough and place between 2 sheets of wax paper. Roll dough into a 9”x12” rectangle. Repeat process with the remaining 2 pieces of dough. Refrigerate dough (still between sheets of wax paper) for 30 more minutes.
Remove all 3 pieces of dough from refrigerator. Peel top layer of wax paper off each piece and discard.
Flip the piece of plain dough on top of the red dough; remove wax paper. Flip the piece of green dough on top of the plain dough; remove wax paper.
Cut the stacked dough crosswise to create (2) 4.5”x12” stacks of dough. Roll each of the stacks into a tight log lengthwise. Place on parchment-lined sheet pan and cover lightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using a serrated knife, slice each log into ¼” rounds. Place each round onto prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle tops of cookies generously with sanding sugar. (Note: If dough is too soft, refrigerate for another 30 minutes.)
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just begin to turn brown.
Let cookies cool on pans for 10 minutes and then transfer to cooling racks until completely cooled.
Notes
I recommend food coloring gels rather than liquid. Gels can be found in most craft stores.Recipe credit: Food Network