Deck the halls with beautiful edibles that double as party favors, too.
While you are baking up a batch of holiday cookies, consider making a few extras to adorn the tree or use as personalized party favors. Your home will be filled with wonderful scents, from cinnamon to vanilla.
Design an edible vignette to decorate a table; or gather items in a pretty box or basket. Find pieces you can dress up for the holidays. For example, a red ribbon can turn a stoneware tureen into a cookie holder. Or display cookie cutters in a vase or jar. Trays of candies, fruits and nuts make beautiful displays. Look no further than your kitchen to find easy ways to decorate and please the senses at the same time.
The Snowflake, the Ornament and the Bell cookie cutter make great shapes for the Cardamom Cookies. Visit annclark.com.
Cardamom Cookies
Makes approx. 18
Note: Cardamom is a pungent spice available as whole pods, seeds, or finely ground. It’s best to buy pre-ground, but make sure it’s fresh.
Beat with an electric mixer until blended:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
Add and beat until fluffy:
½ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar
Add and mix until completely incorporated:
1 large egg yolk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk together and add:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
Mix just until all ingredients are well blended; do not overmix. Chill dough for 3-4 hours before rolling. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough out on a lightly floured counter to 1/4-inch thickness and cut, then transfer cookies onto cookie sheets that have been lined with parchment paper or silicone liners. Cut decorative patterns in the cookies if desired. Using a pastry brush, brush each cookie lightly with water, then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly colored. Let cookies cool slightly on cookie sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost, if desired, with royal icing.
Royal Icing
In a mixing bowl, combine 1 lb. confectioners’ sugar, 3 Tablespoons meringue powder, and 6 Tablespoons warm water; mix on medium speed for 5 minutes. Icing will be the right consistency for piping.
While you are baking up a batch of holiday cookies, consider making a few extras to adorn the tree or use as personalized party favors. Your home will be filled with wonderful scents, from cinnamon to vanilla.
Design an edible vignette to decorate a table; or gather items in a pretty box or basket. Find pieces you can dress up for the holidays. For example, a red ribbon can turn a stoneware tureen into a cookie holder. Or display cookie cutters in a vase or jar. Trays of candies, fruits and nuts make beautiful displays. Look no further than your kitchen to find easy ways to decorate and please the senses at the same time.
The Snowflake, the Ornament and the Bell cookie cutter make great shapes for the Cardamom Cookies. Visit annclark.com.
Cardamom Cookies
Makes approx. 18
Note: Cardamom is a pungent spice available as whole pods, seeds, or finely ground. It’s best to buy pre-ground, but make sure it’s fresh.
Beat with an electric mixer until blended:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
Add and beat until fluffy:
½ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar
Add and mix until completely incorporated:
1 large egg yolk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk together and add:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
Mix just until all ingredients are well blended; do not overmix. Chill dough for 3-4 hours before rolling. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough out on a lightly floured counter to 1/4-inch thickness and cut, then transfer cookies onto cookie sheets that have been lined with parchment paper or silicone liners. Cut decorative patterns in the cookies if desired. Using a pastry brush, brush each cookie lightly with water, then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly colored. Let cookies cool slightly on cookie sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost, if desired, with royal icing.
Royal Icing
In a mixing bowl, combine 1 lb. confectioners’ sugar, 3 Tablespoons meringue powder, and 6 Tablespoons warm water; mix on medium speed for 5 minutes. Icing will be the right consistency for piping.
