Christmas is coming up and it’s time to start baking those cookies for Christmas gifts! Are you sick of doing the same thing every year? Here are some of our favorite ways to make your Christmas cookies more unique.
Change Your Cookie Recipe
Unique Christmas cookies start with the recipe! If you use the same, uninteresting cookie recipe each year, why not change the recipe around a little? You can even use your simple sugar cookie recipe as a starting point and add your own combination of flavors to make them different. Just follow the recipe instructions but add a few drops of your favorite flavoring extract, such as almond extract or orange-flavor extract, instead of the vanilla.
Use Interesting Cookie Cutters
Are you tired of the same old Christmas cookie shapes? Sure, classic Christmas images such as Christmas stockings, Santa Claus, and candy canes are popular, classic choices. However, there are so many more options than that! This year, use cookie cutters with interesting themes, such as “Ugly Christmas Sweaters”, instead.
Make a Different Icing
Do you normally ice your Christmas cookies after you cut the shapes? Instead of using a standard vanilla buttercream, try something more unique this year! Start with a standard buttercream recipe, and then put a few drops of your favorite flavoring, such as peppermint or almond extract, in the batch after its done to give your cookie a unique taste. Experiment with omitting the vanilla extract, as well, to make it even more interesting!
Use Candy Sprinkles
If you’re looking for an easy way to decorate your cookies, try candy sprinkles instead of icing! You can find sprinkles in a variety of colors and flavors. Just brush each cookie with light corn syrup and drizzle on the sprinkles using any pattern that you want. This is an easy way to really get creative while decorating!
Dunk Cookies in Candy Melt
Candy melt is an essential item for candy makers because of all the fun colors and flavors it comes in. You don’t need to make candy to enjoy it, though! Melt candy melt over a double boiler and dunk your cooled cookies in the melted chocolate. Let set on sheets of waxed or parchment paper in the refrigerator or on the counter just before serving.
Use Favorite Christmas Themes
Instead of decorating your cookies at random this year, consider choosing one Christmas theme and sticking with it! That way, you can show your creativity by changing the design slightly for each cookie. For instance, if you have a favorite Christmas movie, you can decorate your cookies in shapes that remind you of the story.
Christmas cookies are a fun part of the holiday season. However, making them the same way year after year can be boring. With all the fun ways to decorate Christmas cookies, you’re sure to find something that works for you!
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