Christmas Cookie Ornaments

Surprise the family with these festive cookies—they taste as good as they look!

1 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2  cups sugar
1 egg
1 1/2  teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
colored sugar for decorating

1  In a mixing bowl, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.

2  In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt; add to butter-sugar mixture one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.

3  Divide dough into two balls. Wrap in plastic and chill until dough is ready to use.

4  To assemble: Place cookie dough on a floured surface and roll until 1/4-inch-thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes.

5  Transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

6  Using a smaller cookie cutter or knife, cut shapes into the center of each cookie. (If cookies will be hung as ornaments or decorations, poke a small hole on the top part of each cookie before baking.)

7  Sprinkle colored sugar into the hollowed-out centers, filling to the brim.

8  Bake cookies at 350ºF for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. The sugar should also be melted and bubbling. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for at least 10 minutes.

9  When cooled, store in an airtight container. (String with ribbon to hang the cookies as ornaments, if desired.)

Topping tip  For a “stained glass” effect, crushed hard candies can also be used in place of colored sugar.

Photography by Patrick Martires | Recipe by Mia Yan | Styling by Elaine P. Lim