If you’re on the lookout for a delightful treat that instantly brings warm smiles and festive cheer, this Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These charming cookies combine buttery softness with just the right hint of sweetness, all shaped into twinkling stars that can be decorated with colorful sugar or icing. Perfect for holiday celebrations, special occasions, or simply brightening up your afternoon tea, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. Trust me, once you experience these melt-in-your-mouth delights, they’ll become your go-to festive favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and how each ingredient plays a crucial role. Every element contributes to the perfect texture, flavor, and look that make these cookies shine, quite literally. Here’s what you need to pull together these festive stars:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: This provides the base structure for tender yet sturdy cookies that hold their star shape beautifully.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: A little lift to keep the texture light and not too dense.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances and enhances the sweetness and flavors in the dough.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and ensures the cookies are soft and melt-in-your-mouth.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough perfectly without overpowering it.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients and helps with the cookie’s structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, classic flavor that complements the sweetness.
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional): Gives a subtle nutty aroma, elevating the flavor profile – but it’s totally fine to skip if you prefer.
- Colored sugar or icing for decorating: This is where you get to add your personal touch and make each cookie sparkle and pop with color.
How to Make Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution of leavening and seasoning to create a balanced dough that’s soft yet holds its shape when baked.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is key for incorporating air, resulting in tender cookies with a lovely crumb.
Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts
Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. This adds moisture, richness, and a burst of flavor that makes the cookies more fragrant and delicious.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender. Once combined, divide the dough in half, flatten each half into discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill for at least one hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up, preventing spreading and keeping your star shapes crisp during baking.
Step 5: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Step 6: Roll and Cut Out Cookies
On a lightly floured surface, roll one dough disc at a time to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about an inch apart to allow for slight expansion. If you want, sprinkle colored sugar on top of the raw cookies before baking for that magical sparkle.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until you notice the edges just starting to turn a delicate golden color. This subtle browning means your cookies are perfectly baked and ready.
Step 8: Cool and Decorate
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can get creative with icing or add more sprinkles to make your stars truly shine.
How to Serve Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of sparkling sugar crystals or delicate drizzles of colorful icing can instantly elevate these cookies from simple treats to party showstoppers. Consider edible glitter or tiny candy beads for added texture and festive appeal.
Side Dishes
These star-shaped wonders pair wonderfully with hot beverages like spiced cider, rich hot chocolate, or a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea. The warmth of these drinks perfectly complements the buttery sweetness of the cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a holiday-themed platter or stack them into a charming cookie tree with ribbons and lights for a stunning centerpiece. You can even sandwich some with frosting or jam for an extra-special treat that’s sure to delight both adults and kids alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your festive cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to a week – great for snacking throughout the week or prepping in advance for your holiday gatherings.
Freezing
If you want to make these star-shaped beauties ahead of time, freeze the unbaked dough discs wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight, roll out, cut, and bake as usual. You can also freeze baked cookies wrapped well to preserve freshness for up to two months.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked warmth, pop your cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This gentle heat revives their soft texture and pleasant aroma, making them taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking, and keep an eye on the dough’s consistency as gluten-free flours can behave differently. You may need to adjust slightly with extra moisture or a binding agent.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
No worries at all. Almond extract is optional and adds a lovely depth, but your cookies will still be delicious and full of flavor with just the vanilla extract.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough well before rolling and cutting is key to preventing excessive spreading. Also, avoid using overly soft butter and don’t skip chilling your shaped cookies once cut if you find spreading an issue.
Can I use other shapes instead of stars?
Of course! While stars are perfectly festive, this dough is very versatile, so feel free to use any shape cutter you love, making it ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion you want to celebrate.
How long do these cookies last after baking?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and tasty for up to one week. If you want them longer, freezing is a great option.
Final Thoughts
I hope you feel inspired to whip up a batch of these delightful Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe soon. They’re more than just cookies; they’re little edible stars that bring smiles, warmth, and celebration to any table. Whether you’re baking with loved ones or gifting to friends, these cookies have a way of making sweet memories that last. So grab your rolling pin and cookie cutters, and let the festive magic begin!
Print
Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Festive Star-Shaped Cookies are a delightful, classic holiday treat perfect for any celebration. Made from a tender sugar cookie dough infused with vanilla and optional almond extract, these cookies hold their star shape beautifully and are decorated with colorful sugar or icing for a fun, festive look.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Decoration
- Colored sugar or icing for decorating
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add egg and extracts: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) into the creamed butter and sugar, mixing until fully combined.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until a soft cookie dough forms, avoiding overmixing.
- Chill the dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a flat disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Roll and cut cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disc to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Decorate before baking: If desired, sprinkle the cookies with colored sugar for a sparkling effect before baking.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden color.
- Cool and decorate: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with icing or additional sprinkles as desired.
Notes
- For extra sparkle, brush cookies with egg wash before sprinkling with sanding sugar prior to baking.
- These cookies maintain their shape well, making them ideal for holidays, birthdays, or special occasions.
