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Christmas Meltaway Cookies

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Christmas Meltaway Cookies are delicate, buttery treats that literally melt in your mouth. Decorated with festive colors, these cookies are a holiday favorite that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for cookie exchanges, gift boxes, or as a sweet snack during the holidays, these cookies are simple to make and full of seasonal cheer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Soft and tender, these cookies dissolve with each bite.
  • Festive Appeal: Decorate with holiday colors to add a cheerful touch to your cookie platter.
  • Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and easy to whip up.
  • Perfect for Gifting: Beautiful and delicious, these cookies are ideal for sharing.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cookies:

  • Unsalted butter (softened)
  • Powdered sugar
  • Cornstarch
  • All-purpose flour
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt

For the Frosting:

  • Powdered sugar
  • Unsalted butter (softened)
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Food coloring (red, green, or other festive colors)
  • Sprinkles (optional, for decorating)

Directions

  1. Make the dough:
    • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
    • Add vanilla extract and mix well.
    • Gradually add the cornstarch, flour, and salt, mixing until the dough comes together.
  2. Shape the cookies:
    • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place on the baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with your palm or the bottom of a glass.
  3. Bake:
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  4. Prepare the frosting:
    • In a mixing bowl, beat the powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Add more milk as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.
    • Divide the frosting into separate bowls and mix in food coloring as desired.
  5. Decorate the cookies:
    • Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies. Top with festive sprinkles if desired. Allow the frosting to set before serving or storing.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: Makes approximately 24 cookies
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Variations

  • Lemon Meltaways: Add lemon zest to the dough and use lemon juice in the frosting for a citrus twist.
  • Peppermint: Add a drop of peppermint extract to the dough and sprinkle crushed candy canes on the frosting.
  • Chocolate Drizzle: Instead of frosting, drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies.
  • Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Frost and decorate after thawing.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days. Let it soften slightly before shaping and baking.

2. Can I use salted butter?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.

3. How do I ensure the cookies don’t spread?

Use softened, not melted, butter and chill the dough for 20 minutes if your kitchen is warm.

4. Can I skip the frosting?

Yes, these cookies are delicious plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.

5. Can I pipe the frosting?

Absolutely! Use a piping bag and decorative tip for more intricate designs.

6. What type of food coloring works best?

Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant colors without affecting the frosting’s consistency.

7. Can I add spices to the dough?

Yes, cinnamon or nutmeg can add a warm, festive flavor to the cookies.

8. How do I prevent the frosting from smudging?

Allow the frosting to set at room temperature or refrigerate the cookies briefly before stacking or storing.

9. Can I double the recipe?

Yes, simply double the ingredients and bake in batches.

10. How do I make the cookies extra festive?

Use holiday-themed sprinkles, edible glitter, or pipe designs like snowflakes or trees onto the frosting.

Conclusion

Christmas Meltaway Cookies are a festive and delicious addition to your holiday celebrations. Their delicate texture and sweet frosting make them a hit with family and friends. Easy to customize and perfect for gifting, these cookies are a must-have for your holiday baking list. Try them today and spread some seasonal cheer!

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Christmas Meltaway Cookies

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Christmas Meltaway Cookies are soft, buttery cookies that melt in your mouth with every bite. They’re decorated with festive icing and sprinkles, making them the perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray or a sweet gift for loved ones!

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x
  • Category: Cookies, Desserts
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the cookies:

  • 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (90 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the icing:

  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
  • Food coloring (optional, red and green for Christmas theme)

For decoration:

  • Holiday sprinkles
  • Edible glitter (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the cookie dough

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar with a hand or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Shape the cookies

  1. Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1.5 inches apart.
  2. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass or your palm.

Step 3: Bake the cookies

  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but not browned.
  2. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Make the icing

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or cream), and vanilla or almond extract until smooth. Add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, if the icing is too thick.
  2. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with food coloring as desired.

Step 5: Decorate the cookies

  1. Spread or drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies.
  2. Add holiday sprinkles, edible glitter, or other festive decorations before the icing sets.

Step 6: Serve and store

  1. Let the icing harden for about 30 minutes before serving or storing. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Flavor variations: Add a hint of peppermint extract to the icing for a festive twist.
  • Freezing: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
  • Gluten-free option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.

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