Save to Pinterest Embrace the cozy spirit of winter with our Warm & Toasty Mitten Cookie Display. These charming mitten-shaped sugar cookies, lovingly decorated with colorful royal icing and sprinkles, are more than just a treat—they're a festive tradition. Perfect for holiday gatherings or heartfelt gifts, each cookie brings a touch of warmth and whimsy to your celebrations.
Save to Pinterest With a straightforward method and readily available ingredients, these cookies come together with ease. Refrigeration time ensures perfectly rolled dough for crisp edges, while the royal icing adds an inviting pop of color and texture. Celebrate the season by creating a display that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
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. Prepare dry ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- 2. Cream butter and sugar
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- 3. Add wet ingredients
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- 4. Combine dough
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
- 5. Chill dough
- Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- 6. Prepare baking sheets
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 7. Roll and cut dough
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a mitten-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
- 8. Arrange cookies
- Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared sheets.
- 9. Bake
- 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. Prepare royal icing
- 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
- Decorate cooled cookies with icing, sprinkles, and other decorations. Allow icing to set completely before arranging for display.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
To achieve the best texture, ensure the dough is well chilled before rolling—this helps with clean cookie cutter edges. Use parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking and aid in even baking. Allow the cookies to cool fully before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For a delightful flavor twist, add a teaspoon of almond extract to the cookie dough. You can also customize the royal icing colors to match any theme or holiday palette. To make the icing safe for all, substitute raw egg whites with pasteurized liquid egg whites or meringue powder as noted.
Serviervorschläge
Arrange these mitten cookies on a festive platter or tie them individually with ribbons for charming gifts. They pair beautifully with hot cocoa or spiced tea, making them perfect for cozy winter afternoons.
Save to Pinterest These Warm & Toasty Mitten Cookies bring charm and sweetness to any winter celebration. Their inviting shapes and colorful decorations make baking a joy and gifting a delight. Enjoy creating memories and sharing these festive treats with loved ones.
Recipe FAQs
- → What gives the cookies their soft texture?
The combination of softened butter and proper chilling of the dough creates a tender, soft texture while maintaining shape during baking.
- → How is the royal icing made glossy and smooth?
Whisking powdered sugar with egg whites and lemon juice at low speed achieves a glossy, smooth consistency ideal for decorating.
- → Can these cookies be prepared in advance?
Yes, undecorated cookies can be stored airtight for up to a week or frozen for a month before decorating.
- → What coloring options work best for decorating?
Gel food coloring provides vibrant, vivid colors without thinning the icing, perfect for detailed designs.
- → Are there any recommended flavor variations?
Adding almond extract to the dough adds a lovely flavor twist complementing the vanilla base.