Get Creative with Delicious, Decorative Cookies

Recipe & Photo provided by Family Features

A decadent holiday meal isn’t complete without a sweet dessert to cap off the evening. When in doubt, go with a traditional treat that’s perfect for sharing: cookies.

These Ornament Cookies can be shaped any way you like to celebrate the holidays. The royal icing adorning these festive favorites is made with powdered sugar and meringue powder; just use food coloring to add a personal touch.

Ornament Cookies

Prep time: 25 minutes 

plus 1 hour to decorate

Cook time: 20 minutes

Yield: 2 dozen cookies

Cookies:

›› 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

›› 1 cup Domino Golden Sugar

›› 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

›› 1 large egg

›› 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

›› 1/4 teaspoon salt

Royal Icing:

›› 4 cups Domino Powdered Sugar

›› 3 tablespoons meringue powder

›› 1/3 cup, plus 2-3 tablespoons, warm water, divided

›› desired food coloring

DIRECTIONS:

›› To prepare cookies: In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; beat until well combined. Scrape sides of bowl as needed. Add flour and salt; beat until just combined.

›› Dump mixture onto lightly floured surface and divide in half. Shape each half into disks and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

›› Preheat oven to 350° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

›› Working on lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2-inch thick. Cut cookies using ornament-shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies on prepared pans and bake 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool at room temperature.

›› To make royal icing: In large mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder and 1/3 cup water. Beat on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat 8-10 minutes, adding 2-3 tablespoons warm water, as necessary. Icing should be stiff enough to hold peak when tested. 

›› Color royal icing with food coloring and decorate cookies.