THE CUTEST GNOME COOKIES
These adorable Gnome Cookies are perfect for the holidays! With their fun gnome faces made of sugar cookies and decorated with royal icing, these treats are sure to bring smiles to everyone at your holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Royal Icing (for decoration):
- 2 egg whites or use powdered egg whites
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- Gel food coloring red, white, and brown
For the Gnome Faces (optional toppings):
- Small candies for noses
- Mini marshmallows for beards
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the Sugar Cookie Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
Roll and Cut the Dough:
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter or your hands to form gnome-shaped cookies. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Royal Icing:
- In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and lemon juice, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring (red for hats, brown for noses, and white for beards).
Decorate the Cookies:
- Use a piping bag or a small spoon to decorate the cookies. Pipe a red hat on top of each cookie, then pipe a small brown circle for the nose. Add white royal icing to form the beard. Optionally, place a small candy for the nose and mini marshmallows for the beard to add texture.
Notes
Make Ahead:
The dough can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. Decorate the cookies after they’ve completely cooled. Customizing the Flavor:
For a twist, add a little almond extract or cinnamon to the dough for a unique flavor. Serving Suggestions:
These cookies are perfect for holiday parties, gifting, or as a fun family baking project. Allergy-Friendly Options:
For egg-free royal icing, use an egg replacer like aquafaba. Storage Tips:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Decorated cookies may need to be stored in a cool, dry place to maintain the icing's texture.
The dough can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. Decorate the cookies after they’ve completely cooled. Customizing the Flavor:
For a twist, add a little almond extract or cinnamon to the dough for a unique flavor. Serving Suggestions:
These cookies are perfect for holiday parties, gifting, or as a fun family baking project. Allergy-Friendly Options:
For egg-free royal icing, use an egg replacer like aquafaba. Storage Tips:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Decorated cookies may need to be stored in a cool, dry place to maintain the icing's texture.