Description
Magical vanilla bean Christmas lights cookies shimmer with festive cheer, bringing holiday spirit to your dessert table. Sweet sparkles of vanilla and delicate cookie artistry connect family and friends in delightful celebration you will cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1.5 sticks (12 tablespoons / 170 grams) salted butter
- 1 egg
- 2 to 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon hazelnut liquor
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Icing and Decoration Ingredients:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup melted chocolate chips
- Mini holiday M&Ms
- Vanilla sugar
Instructions
- Whip softened butter and granulated sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until light and airy, creating a smooth, pale cream-colored base.
- Incorporate pure vanilla bean seeds and egg, blending thoroughly until a uniform mixture develops. Add optional hazelnut liquor for enhanced depth of flavor.
- Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate container, then gradually fold into the wet ingredients, creating a cohesive dough that holds together without excessive crumbling.
- If the dough feels overly tacky, sprinkle additional flour and knead gently to achieve optimal consistency for rolling.
- Transfer dough between parchment sheets and roll out to uniform thickness, approximately 1/4 inch deep, ensuring even texture throughout.
- Use festive holiday-themed cookie cutters to shape delicate Christmas light-inspired designs, carefully transferring cut shapes onto a lined baking sheet.
- Chill shaped cookies in refrigerator for 25-35 minutes to preserve intricate details and prevent spreading during baking.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and position rack in center for consistent heat distribution.
- Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching for gentle golden edges that indicate perfect doneness without over-browning.
- Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on wire rack before decorative embellishment.
- Prepare royal icing and melted chocolate for detailed decorating, using piping bags for precise application of festive designs.
- Embellish cooled cookies with colorful M&M’s, creating whimsical Christmas light patterns that capture holiday spirit.
Notes
- Swap out regular vanilla for fresh vanilla bean to elevate the cookie’s flavor profile with rich, intense sweetness.
- Experiment with different liquors like amaretto or rum for unique taste variations that complement the vanilla base.
- Ensure butter is room temperature for smoother creaming and better cookie texture, preventing tough or dense results.
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading during baking, creating crisp edges and maintaining intricate Christmas light shapes.
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg