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Total Time
6 hr 20 min
6 hr 20 min
Prep Time
10 minutes
10 min
Cook Time
40 minutes
40 min
Total Time
6 hr 20 min
6 hr 20 min
Prep Time
10 minutes
10 min
Cook Time
40 minutes
40 min
Ingredients
for 12 servings
Cookies
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 ½ cups all purpose flour (440 g), plus more for dusting
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- royal icing, for decorating
Special Equipment
- 5 holiday cookie cutters, 3 inch (7.5 cm) each, of your choice
- red and white striped twine
Nutrition Info
Powered by
- Calories 315
- Fat 14g
- Carbs 39g
- Fiber 0g
- Sugar 12g
- Protein 5g
Estimated values based on one serving size.
Preparation
- Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar with an electric hand mixer on high speed for about 5 minutes, until fluffy and the sugar is mostly dissolved. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to beat evenly.
- Add the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the salt, then sift in the flour, baking powder, and cream of tartar and fold with a rubber spatula to incorporate.
- Divide the dough into 2 portions and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 3–4 days.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350˚F (180°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove the dough from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece out into a 10-inch (25 cm) round about ¼-inch (½ cm) thick, then trim the edges so you have an 8 x 10-inch (20 x 25 cm) square. Transfer the dough squares to the prepared baking sheets.
- Working with one dough square at a time, dip a holiday cookie cutter in flour and press into the dough. Repeat with the other 4 cookie cutter shapes, evenly spacing the cutouts. Remove the cookie cutters, then use a sharp paring knife to make cuts outside of each shape, forming a puzzle-like pattern from each corner.
- Using an icing tip, cut out an ornament hole from the top of each cookie shape and all of the puzzle pieces. Separate all of the shapes, spacing evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just barely start to turn golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Decorate the cookies as desired then allow the icing to set completely. Thread a piece of twine through each ornament hole and tie to secure.
- Enjoy!
Tasty's Holiday Recipes
From easy classics to festive new favorites, you’ll find them all here.
Tasty's Holiday Recipes
From easy classics to festive new favorites, you’ll find them all here.
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