Christmas is a time for family, festivities, and of course, delicious treats. One of the most beloved Christmas traditions is baking homemade cookies. And what better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a batch of traditional English Christmas cookies? These cookies are a staple in every English household during the holiday season and are a must-try for anyone looking to add some British flair to their Christmas spread. In this article, we will take you through a step-by-step recipe for these delightful treats that will surely impress your loved ones and leave them wanting more.
The Perfect Mix of Flavors
Ingredients:
To start, gather 225g of softened butter, 125g of caster sugar, 225g of plain flour, and 125g of ground almonds. These are the main ingredients for the cookie dough. You can also add in some chopped nuts, dried fruits, or candied peel to give the cookies some extra texture and flavor. For the icing, you will need 125g of icing sugar, 1 egg white, and some food coloring of your choice. Make sure to have all the ingredients measured and ready before you begin.
Instructions:
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (160°C for fan ovens) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add in the flour and ground almonds, mixing until a dough forms. If the dough is too crumbly, you can add a tablespoon of milk to help bind it together.
Next, roll the dough into a ball and wrap it in cling film. Chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This will make it easier to handle and prevent it from spreading too much while baking.
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters of your choice to cut out the cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
Decorating Your Cookies:
While the cookies are cooling, you can make the icing by mixing the icing sugar and egg white together until smooth and glossy. Add in a few drops of food coloring to achieve your desired color. Use a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a small hole cut in the corner to decorate your cookies with the icing.
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some festive-themed sprinkles or edible glitter on top of the icing before it sets. Let the icing set for about 30 minutes before serving or storing the cookies in an airtight container.
Bringing a Taste of England to Your Christmas Table
And there you have it, a simple and delicious recipe for traditional English Christmas cookies. These cookies are perfect for sharing with loved ones, giving as gifts, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea. So why not add a touch of British charm to your holiday celebrations this year with these festive treats?
Christmas is a time for family, festivities, and of course, delicious treats. One of the most beloved Christmas traditions is baking homemade cookies. And what better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a batch of traditional English Christmas cookies? These cookies are a staple in every English household during the holiday season and are a must-try for anyone looking to add some British flair to their Christmas spread. In this article, we will take you through a step-by-step recipe for these delightful treats that will surely impress your loved ones and leave them wanting more.
The Perfect Mix of Flavors
Ingredients:
To start, gather 225g of softened butter, 125g of caster sugar, 225g of plain flour, and 125g of ground almonds. These are the main ingredients for the cookie dough. You can also add in some chopped nuts, dried fruits, or candied peel to give the cookies some extra texture and flavor. For the icing, you will need 125g of icing sugar, 1 egg white, and some food coloring of your choice. Make sure to have all the ingredients measured and ready before you begin.
Instructions:
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (160°C for fan ovens) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add in the flour and ground almonds, mixing until a dough forms. If the dough is too crumbly, you can add a tablespoon of milk to help bind it together.
Next, roll the dough into a ball and wrap it in cling film. Chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This will make it easier to handle and prevent it from spreading too much while baking.
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters of your choice to cut out the cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
Decorating Your Cookies:
While the cookies are cooling, you can make the icing by mixing the icing sugar and egg white together until smooth and glossy. Add in a few drops of food coloring to achieve your desired color. Use a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a small hole cut in the corner to decorate your cookies with the icing.
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some festive-themed sprinkles or edible glitter on top of the icing before it sets. Let the icing set for about 30 minutes before serving or storing the cookies in an airtight container.
Bringing a Taste of England to Your Christmas Table
And there you have it, a simple and delicious recipe for traditional English Christmas cookies. These cookies are perfect for sharing with loved ones, giving as gifts, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea. So why not add a touch of British charm to your holiday celebrations this year with these festive treats?