Christmas Cookies

Step 1

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the butter and sugar together until well combined and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and egg yolks and continue beating until thoroughly combined, then beat in the vanilla and almond extracts.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, about 1 cup at a time, and mix, using either a wooden spoon or the stand mixer on low speed, until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 3

Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and divide into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball, then flatten the balls into disks. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

Step 4

Preheat an oven to 350°F (180°C).

Step 5

On a lightly floured surface, roll out a dough disk about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out shapes from the dough. Arrange the shapes on baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Gather up and reroll the scraps and cut out more cookies. Repeat with the remaining dough disks.

Step 6

Bake the cookies until golden on the edges, 13 to 14 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire racks and let cool completely.

Step 7

To make the icing, in a small bowl, stir together the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice and corn syrup. The mixture should be very thick. Whisk in the milk a few drops at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Step 8

Decorate the cooled cookies as desired with the icing, using a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip or a small plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Decorate with sanding sugar if desired. Store the cookies in an airtight container. Makes about 4 dozen cookies, depending on cutter size.

Step 9

Recipe by Amanda Rettke, creator of the blog I Am Baker and author of Surprise-Inside Cakes