Description
Twisted Christmas Cookies are a cherished European holiday classic featuring buttery, tender dough twisted into elegant spirals and decorated with festive royal icing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup white sugar
- 14 oz (400g) softened butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp meringue powder
- 8 tbsp water (divided)
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 7 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- Gel food coloring
- Sprinkles or edible decorations
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add eggs one at a time.
- Mix in vanilla, almond extract, and orange zest.
- Gradually add flour until dough forms; chill if too soft.
- Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness, cut into strips, and twist into spirals.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Prepare royal icing by mixing meringue powder, water, lemon juice, and powdered sugar until glossy.
- Color and pipe icing onto cooled cookies, adding sprinkles if desired.
Notes
For best results, chill shaped cookies 10–15 minutes before baking to help them maintain their twist.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Holiday Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Twisted Christmas Cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas baking, twisted cookies