Tis the Season! How to Make the Ultimate Holiday Sugar Cookies
When you think of Christmas time, what comes to mind? Hanging out by the warm, crackling fireplace, listening to your merriest tunes, and baking your all-time favorite holiday treat – the Christmas sugar cookie? Us, too! We love the holiday season, and we’re about to help you make it even better by sharing our unforgettable California Walnut Sugar Cookie recipe with you!
A Comforting Classic
These California Walnut Sugar Cookies are a delicious twist on a long-loved classic, with finely chopped walnuts that bring out scrumptious, nutty undertones. When making these yummy treats, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Ingredients
Cookies
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 ½ cups of California walnuts (very finely chopped)
- ½ teaspoon of baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ½ cup of butter (room temperature)
- ⅔ cup of vegetable shortening (room temperature)
- 1 ¼ cups of granulated sugar
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract
Icing
- 2 egg whites
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups of powdered sugar
- Decorative sugar (optional)
These Cookies Will Make Spirits Bright
Now that you have all your ingredients, it’s time to make some mouthwatering Christmas sugar cookies! As you cozy up in your favorite Christmas sweater and turn on those heartwarming carols, follow these instructions to create this cherished Christmas treat:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour, walnuts, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar together until fluffy and pale. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl once as you mix. Then beat in the egg and vanilla and mix until just combined.
- Add the dry ingredients in two separate batches. Stir at low speed until the dough just comes together.
- Take the dough and separate it into two equal halves. Flatten them each into a 1-inch thick disc. Then place them between two pieces of parchment paper and roll them out until they are ¼-inch thick. Now transfer them to a baking sheet and refrigerate them for at least one hour.
- After chilling, start with one sheet of dough at a time. Remove the top layer of parchment paper and cut the dough with your desired cookie-cutter shapes.
- Then place the cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Combine any leftover scraps, reroll the dough between parchment paper and cut again. Place those cookies onto a newly prepared baking sheet. Repeat the process as needed.
- Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookie centers are firm. Then take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool completely.
- To make the icing, use a mixer to whisk the eggs and vanilla until they are light and foamy. Reduce the mixer to low speed and slowly add powdered sugar. Finally, increase the mixer speed to high and whisk until the icing is well mixed.
- Fill a disposable pastry bag with icing and cut a small hole in the end.
Make Merry Memories Your Taste Buds Won’t Forget
As you decorate your cookies, get in the Christmas spirit and have fun with them! Invite your friends and family to help, and use sprinkles, food coloring and special designs to make these cookies your own! Don’t forget to enjoy these tasty sweets with a glass of homemade California Walnut Milk or a Walnut Horchata Martini for the adults! These cookies don’t just have to be a delicious treat, they can also be the center of a beautiful Christmas memory you share with the ones you love.