Save Celebrate the cozy charm of winter with our Warm & Toasty Mitten Cookie Display. These delightful mitten-shaped sugar cookies, adorned with intricate royal icing designs, bring a touch of handmade warmth to holiday gatherings and gift-giving. Their buttery sweetness and festive decoration evoke the essence of crisp winter days, making them a perfect centerpiece for your dessert table or a heartfelt homemade gift.
Save This recipe balances tradition and creativity, inviting bakers of all skill levels to craft cookies that look as good as they taste. The process includes chilling the dough for perfect texture and using royal icing to achieve that delightful winter sparkle. Whether you choose simple designs or more elaborate decorations, these mitten cookies will add a warm touch to your seasonal festivities.
Ingredients
- For the Cookies
- 2 3/4 cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- For the Royal Icing
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 large egg whites (or 1/4 cup pasteurized liquid egg whites)
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- Gel food coloring (assorted colors)
- Decorations
- Sprinkles, sanding sugar, edible pearls (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Prepare Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- 2. Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- 3. Add Wet Ingredients
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- 4. Combine Dough
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
- 5. Chill Dough
- Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- 6. Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 7. Roll and Cut Cookies
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a mitten-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
- 8. Arrange Cookies
- Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared sheets.
- 9. Bake
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are just golden. Cool on trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- 10. Prepare Royal Icing
- Whisk powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice on low speed until smooth and glossy. Divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
- 11. Decorate
- Decorate cooled cookies with icing, sprinkles, and other decorations. Allow icing to set completely before arranging for display.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading during baking and to maintain the crisp mitten shape. Rolling the dough evenly ensures that all cookies bake uniformly. When decorating, start with the base layer of royal icing and let it dry slightly before adding details to avoid colors running together.
Varianten und Anpassungen
To add a unique flavor twist, consider incorporating almond extract into the dough instead of vanilla. You can also experiment with different food coloring combinations and decoration styles to match your holiday theme. For a safe alternative to raw egg whites in royal icing, use meringue powder mixed with water.
Serviervorschläge
These mitten cookies pair wonderfully with hot cocoa, spiced teas, or mulled wine. Arrange them on a festive platter or package them in decorative boxes tied with ribbon to share as thoughtful holiday gifts. Their charming appearance also makes them a lovely addition to any winter dessert buffet.
Save With this recipe, you’re equipped to create a stunning and delicious mitten cookie display that captures the spirit of the season. Whether baking for loved ones or celebrating with friends, these cookies bring warmth, joy, and a delightful homemade touch to your winter festivities.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of flour works best for these cookies?
All-purpose flour provides the right balance, ensuring a tender yet sturdy texture perfect for shaping and decorating.
- → Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, chill the dough wrapped in plastic for at least 30 minutes or up to a day to improve handling and enhance flavors.
- → How do I achieve smooth royal icing?
Whisk powdered sugar with egg whites and a touch of lemon juice slowly until the mixture is glossy and free of lumps.
- → What decorating tips are recommended?
Fine piping bags and small round tips help create detailed icing designs on the mitten shapes.
- → Are there alternatives to raw egg whites in the icing?
Pasteurized egg whites are safer, or you can substitute with meringue powder combined with water without compromising texture.
- → How should the decorated cookies be stored?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature once icing is fully set to maintain freshness for up to a week.