Twisted Christmas Cookies with Almond & Citrus Icing | BiteTide
Twisted Christmas Cookies with Almond & Citrus Icing combine a tender, buttery cookie base with a zesty, creamy icing bursting with almond and citrus notes. Perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting, these festive cookies offer a delightful crunch with a tender crumb and a balanced sweet and tangy flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be adapted to Gluten Free and Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Almond & Citrus Icing Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, combining to form a smooth dough.
- Shape the Twists: Divide the dough into smaller portions. Roll each portion into long, even ropes about ½ inch thick. Pinch two ropes together at one end, twist them gently along their length, then pinch the other end to seal. Place each twisted cookie onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space for expansion.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the twisted cookies for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on wire racks before icing.
- Prepare the Almond & Citrus Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh lemon and orange juice, almond extract, and citrus zest until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more juice or powdered sugar as needed for a glossy, drizzle-ready texture.
- Ice the Cookies: Using a spoon or piping bag, drizzle the almond & citrus icing generously over each cookie. Let the icing set at room temperature before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before shaping to make twisting easier.
- Roll ropes of equal thickness for even baking.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Remove cookies from oven when edges are lightly golden to keep them tender.
- Allow icing to set thoroughly to prevent smudging and achieve a beautiful finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, almond icing, citrus icing, holiday baking, twisted cookies, festive cookies, holiday treats