Chamomile Charm Holly Cookies are a delightful treat that encapsulates the essence of the holiday season. These enchanting cookies not only look beautiful but are also bursting with flavor, offering a sweet taste of nostalgia in every bite. With their charming holly shapes and wonderful aromas, they are the perfect addition to festive gatherings, holiday cookie swaps, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of tea. This recipe is easy to follow and creates inviting decorations that will impress your guests, making it a must-try this season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
One of the key reasons to make Chamomile Charm Holly Cookies is their simplicity. With minimal ingredients, the prep and baking process is straightforward and enjoyable. These cookies are a crowd-pleaser, appealing to both children and adults with their whimsical shapes and sweet taste. The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and the vibrant, festive décor make them an unforgettable part of your dessert table. Plus, they can easily be customized to suit your taste!
Ingredients
To create these Chamomile Charm Holly Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the perfect base, allowing the cookies to hold their shape while being delightfully tender.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds creaminess and richness that ensures the cookies melt in your mouth.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: For just the right amount of sweetness to balance the flavors.
- 1 large egg: Acts as a binder, giving the cookies structure while contributing to their fluffiness.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, inviting aroma.
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional): Adds a hint of nutty flavor for those who enjoy an aromatic twist.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly during baking, resulting in a light texture.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 4 cups powdered sugar: Essential for creating that beautiful royal icing.
- 3 tbsp meringue powder: Gives the icing a flawless finish and stability.
- 5-6 tbsp water: To achieve the right consistency for the royal icing.
- White gel food coloring: For a pristine snow-white decoration that embodies the holiday spirit.
- Gold edible paint or luster dust: To add glamorous, shimmering accents to your cookies.
- Small gold sugar pearls: Perfect for adding that final touch of elegance.
Step-by-Step Directions
Let’s dive into creating these delightful cookies.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for your cookies.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, around 2–3 minutes.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), mixing until fully incorporated into the creamy butter and sugar.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing until a smooth dough forms.
Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll out each portion between two sheets of parchment paper until about 1/4-inch thickness is reached.
Using a cookie cutter, carefully cut out holly-shaped cookies from the dough and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
Bake your cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Once done, let them cool completely on the baking sheets.
For the royal icing, whisk together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth and stiff peaks form. Add a few drops of white gel food coloring to achieve a beautiful white icing.
Once your cookies have cooled, use a piping bag to creatively decorate each cookie with royal icing. You can make holly leaf shapes or other festive designs that spark joy.
Add extra holiday magic by gently brushing the edges of the cookies with gold edible paint or luster dust. For a finishing touch, sprinkle on the small gold sugar pearls.
Let the icing dry completely before serving or packaging your beautifully decorated Chamomile Charm Holly Cookies.
Tips & Tricks
For those looking to elevate their cookie game, here are some additional tips:
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming.
- If you’re short on time, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling it out for easier handling.
- Use a soft brush to apply gold luster or edible paint for an even finish.
- Consider adding crushed dried chamomile flowers into the dough for a subtle floral flavor.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
The beautifully decorated Chamomile Charm Holly Cookies are best served alongside hot chai or herbal tea for an aromatic experience. They make an excellent gift wrapped in clear cellophane tied with a festive ribbon, or displayed on a holiday dessert table. Perfect for any gathering, these cookies bring a touch of handcrafted joy to your celebrations.
Nutritional Information
Each Chamomile Charm Holly Cookie contains approximately 120 calories, making them a sweet indulgence. They offer a balanced mix of carbohydrates from the flour and sugar, along with fats from the butter. Enjoy them in moderation during festivities to keep your diet in balance!
Storing Tips & Variations
Ideally, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer preservation, you can freeze them for up to three months; simply thaw before serving. To switch things up, consider adding spices such as ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a different flavor profile, or even drizzling melted chocolate over the icing for added richness.
Conclusion
Chamomile Charm Holly Cookies are not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes. So why not gather your family and friends, and dive into the joy of cookie-making? This holiday season, let these charming cookies add warmth and sweetness to your celebrations. We’d love to hear how your batch turns out, so don’t forget to share your experiences and creative variations!
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.What if I don’t have meringue powder?
Meringue powder is ideal for royal icing, but you can substitute it with egg whites. However, be cautious about temperature, as royal icing made with egg whites is less stable in humid conditions.Can I decorate these cookies in advance?
Absolutely! The cookies can be decorated with icing a day or two ahead of time. Just keep them stored in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.What can I do if my icing is too runny?
If the icing is too runny, gradually add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. You want it to be thick enough to hold its shape when piped.Do these cookies need to be baked right away?
It’s best to bake them shortly after cutting the shapes to maintain crisp edges. If you leave unbaked cookies out for too long, they can dry out or lose their shape.
Chamomile Charm Holly Cookies
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful holiday cookies shaped like holly, featuring a buttery texture and sweet royal icing decorations, perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp meringue powder
- 5–6 tbsp water
- White gel food coloring
- Gold edible paint or luster dust
- Small gold sugar pearls
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until incorporated.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, then gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
- Divide the dough into two portions and roll out between parchment to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out holly shapes and transfer to baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden and cool completely.
- Whisk powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water for royal icing, adding gel food coloring for color.
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing and additional decorations.
- Let the icing dry completely before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding crushed dried chamomile flowers into the dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
