Soft Christmas Cookies

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth and well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut out Christmas tree shapes using a cookie cutter.
6. Bake for 8–10 minutes. The edges should remain pale to keep the cookies soft. Allow them to cool completely.
7. For the icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
8. Pipe the icing onto the cooled cookies and decorate with lines, stars, sprinkles, or pearls. Let the icing set before serving.

Variations

• Add a hint of almond extract to the dough for a delicate nutty aroma.
• Flavor the icing with peppermint extract for a wintry twist.
• Use different cookie cutter shapes such as stars, bells, or snowflakes.
• Add a dusting of edible glitter for an elegant finish.

Tips

• Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes before rolling to help the cookies keep their shape.
• Avoid overbaking; remove the cookies as soon as they look set.
• Lightly flour your rolling surface to prevent sticking without drying the dough.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft for several days.