Chamomile Charm Holly Cookies
Delightful holiday cookies adorned with royal icing and gold embellishments, infused with chamomile for a unique flavor.
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour The foundation of your cookies, providing a soft and sturdy base.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Creamy and rich, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar Adds sweetness and a hint of crunch to the cookie edges.
- 1 large egg A binding agent adding moisture and richness.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract Classic flavor enhancer.
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional) Adds a subtle nutty profile.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder This leavening agent lightens the dough.
- 1/4 tsp salt Enhances overall taste.
Royal Icing Ingredients
- 4 cups powdered sugar The main ingredient for a velvety icing.
- 3 tbsp meringue powder Lends stability to the icing.
- 5-6 tbsp water Needed to achieve desired icing consistency.
- to taste white gel food coloring Achieves a snowy white for cookies.
- to taste gold edible paint or luster dust Adds elegance and sparkle.
- to taste small gold sugar pearls For decoration.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two portions. Roll out each portion between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Use a cookie cutter to cut out holly-shaped cookies and transfer them to prepared baking sheets.
Baking
- Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating.
Icing & Decoration
- To make royal icing, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth.
- Add white gel food coloring until achieving a brilliant white hue.
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies with royal icing and brush edges with gold paint or dust.
- Add small gold sugar pearls to finish.
- Allow icing to dry completely before serving or packaging.
Notes
For best results, soften butter before creaming, check baking powder freshness, and feel free to experiment with different shapes and flavors.