Save to Pinterest Welcome the cozy charm of winter with these Warm & Toasty Mitten Cookies. Shaped like cute mittens and adorned with colorful royal icing, these sugar cookies bring festive joy to your holiday gatherings or make thoughtful gifts to share warmth with loved ones. Their buttery sweetness combined with delicate icing designs capture the essence of a snug winter day.
Save to Pinterest These cookies not only taste delicious but also invite you into the heart of the season’s spirit with every bite. Baking and decorating can become a cherished tradition, creating joyful moments full of sweetness and creativity.
Ingredients
- For the Cookies
- 2 3/4 cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- For the Royal Icing
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 large egg whites (or 1/4 cup pasteurized liquid egg whites)
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- Gel food coloring (assorted colors)
- Decorations
- Sprinkles, sanding sugar, edible pearls (optional)
Instructions
- 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- 2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- 3. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- 4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
- 5. Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- 6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a mitten-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
- 8. Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared sheets.
- 9. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are just golden. Cool on trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- 10. For the royal icing, whisk powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice on low speed until smooth and glossy. Divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
- 11. Decorate cooled cookies with icing, sprinkles, and other decorations. Allow icing to set completely before arranging for display.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Prepare the dough discs ahead of time and chill well to make rolling easier and to maintain cookie shape during baking. Use parchment paper for easy transfer and cleanup. When mixing royal icing, start slow to avoid incorporating too much air, ensuring a smooth finish for your decorations.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Customize your cookies by adding a touch of almond extract to the dough for a delightful nutty flavor. Decorations can be personalized with different colored icings, sprinkles, or edible pearls to suit your holiday themes or preferences.
Serviervorschläge
These mitten cookies pair wonderfully with warm drinks like hot cocoa, spiced tea, or mulled cider. Arrange them in colorful boxes or festive tins to gift friends and family, spreading cheerful warmth during the winter season.
Save to Pinterest With these tips and this recipe, you're all set to create a delightful batch of Warm & Toasty Mitten Cookies that will enchant and satisfy. Whether for sharing or gifting, these cookies bring the essence of winter coziness right to your table.
Recipe FAQs
- → What ingredients make these cookies tender?
The combination of softened butter, granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour creates a tender texture, balanced by a touch of baking powder.
- → How do I keep the cookie shapes sharp during baking?
Chilling the dough before cutting and baking helps maintain the mitten shapes by preventing excessive spreading in the oven.
- → What is the best way to decorate these cookies?
Use royal icing tinted with gel food coloring to pipe designs, then add sprinkles or edible pearls for extra charm once the icing sets.
- → Can I prepare these cookies in advance?
Yes, you can bake the cookies ahead and store them in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze them for a month before decorating.
- → Are there alternatives to raw egg whites in the icing?
Pasteurized egg whites are recommended, or you can substitute with meringue powder mixed with water to ensure safety and maintain texture.