Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp (150 grams) powdered sugar (aka icing sugar)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 large egg, cold and lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (or ½ lemon zest)
Decorations
- 5 oz (150 grams) dark chocolate chips
- Christmas sprinkles, to decorate
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, fine salt, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the orange zest.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Lightly beat the cold egg and vanilla or almond extract (or lemon zest) together, then add to the flour mixture. Stir gently until the dough starts to come together, then knead lightly in the bowl until smooth. If too dry, add a teaspoon of cold water.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a flat disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up, which will make it easier to roll out and cut.
- Roll and Cut: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thick. Using a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut shapes from the dough and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt the Chocolate: While the cookies cool, melt the dark chocolate chips gently using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Decorate: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the melted dark chocolate or use a spoon to drizzle chocolate over them. Quickly add Christmas sprinkles before the chocolate sets for vibrant decoration.
- Set and Serve: Allow the chocolate to harden completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once the chocolate is set, the cookies are ready to be enjoyed or packaged for sharing.
Notes
- Use cold butter and chilled dough to ensure the cookies hold their shape well during baking.
- If the dough becomes too soft while rolling, return it to the fridge to chill briefly.
- For a different flavor, substitute orange zest with lemon zest or add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Customize decorations with white chocolate or colored icing for variety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
