Chamomile Charm Holly Cookies
Delightful cookies infused with chamomile, perfect for holiday gatherings, featuring stunning decorations and a soft, buttery texture.
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour The foundation of your cookies, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Creamy, luscious butter adds richness and flavor.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar Sweet, fine sugar that lightens the dough and enhances flavor.
- 1 large egg A binding agent that helps create a tender texture.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract Adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional) Provides a subtle, nutty note that complements chamomile beautifully.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder Ensures the cookies rise nicely.
- 1/4 tsp salt Balances flavors and enhances sweetness.
Icing Ingredients
- 4 cups powdered sugar For a sweet, fluffy royal icing that adds a touch of elegance.
- 3 tbsp meringue powder Gives the icing strength and firmness.
- 5-6 tbsp water Combines with powdered sugar to create the perfect icing consistency.
- white gel food coloring Adds a beautiful, pure white hue to the icing.
- gold edible paint or luster dust A luxurious finishing touch for festive decor.
- small gold sugar pearls For that extra holiday sparkle on your cookies.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the 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 desired) to the creamed mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions and roll each out between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Baking
- Use a cookie cutter to cut out holly-shaped cookies and transfer them to prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the sheets.
Icing
- While cookies are cooling, prepare the royal icing by whisking together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth and stiff peaks form.
- Add a few drops of white gel food coloring and mix well.
- Once cookies are cool, decorate using a piping bag with royal icing, creating holly leaf shapes or other festive designs.
- Brush edges with gold edible paint or luster dust, and sprinkle with gold sugar pearls. Allow icing to dry completely before serving.
Notes
Consider adding dried chamomile flowers to the dough for extra flavor. You can make smaller cookie versions for party favors or simply sprinkle with powdered sugar instead of icing for an easier finish.