Ah, Thanksgiving cutout cookies! They’re the perfect blend of fun and festivity, bringing a cozy warmth to your holiday gatherings. I remember the first time I made these cookies with my family; we turned the kitchen into a joyful mess of flour and laughter. We shaped them into adorable turkeys and pumpkins, and the smell of sweet vanilla wafted through our home, creating an atmosphere of pure joy. Decorating them with vibrant royal icing was the cherry on top! These cookies not only taste amazing, but they also become a cherished part of our Thanksgiving tradition. Trust me, once you bake these, they’ll be a hit with family and friends alike!
Ingredients for Thanksgiving Cutout Cookies
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour – for that perfect cookie texture
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – to give them a nice lift
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – balancing the sweetness
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – for a rich, buttery flavor
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar – because we want them sweet!
- 1 egg – it helps bind everything together
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – a classic flavor boost
- 1 teaspoon almond extract – for a delightful hint of nuttiness
- Royal icing for decoration – to make them festive and fun!
How to Prepare Thanksgiving Cutout Cookies
Alright, let’s dive into the delightful process of making these Thanksgiving cutout cookies! First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grab a bowl and mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is super important because it helps create that perfect cookie structure.
Next, in another bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Then, add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until everything’s well combined. Now it’s time to gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients; just fold it in gently until you see no more dry flour. Once combined, it’s crucial to chill the dough for about 30 minutes in the fridge—that helps the cookies hold their shape when baking.
After chilling, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create fun shapes! Place the cutouts on baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let them cool completely before you unleash your decorating skills with royal icing!
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- In another bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of almond extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
- Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place them on baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool completely before decorating with royal icing.
Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Cutout Cookies
- They’re super easy to make, perfect for bakers of all levels!
- These cookies are quick to whip up, taking only about an hour from start to finish.
- They’re festive and fun, adding a cheerful touch to your Thanksgiving table.
- Customizable shapes and decorations let your creativity shine!
- The delicious buttery flavor will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Tips for Success
To truly nail these Thanksgiving cutout cookies, here are my top tips! First, make sure your butter is softened but not melted; it should be creamy and spreadable. This helps achieve that light, fluffy texture we love. Don’t skip the chilling step—it’s crucial for keeping the cookies from spreading too much while baking. If your dough feels too sticky, just sprinkle a little flour on your work surface as you roll it out.
When cutting out your shapes, dip your cookie cutter in flour to prevent sticking. And remember, every oven is different, so keep an eye on your cookies in the last few minutes of baking. You want them just golden around the edges but still soft in the center. Lastly, have fun with the royal icing! You can always add more color or sprinkles for creativity. Happy baking!
Variations on Thanksgiving Cutout Cookies
Get creative with these Thanksgiving cutout cookies! Instead of just turkeys and pumpkins, try using cookie cutters shaped like leaves, acorns, or even snowflakes for a festive twist. For a flavor change, consider adding a teaspoon of pumpkin spice to the dough or swapping out the almond extract for lemon extract for a refreshing zing. And don’t forget about the decorations—use colored royal icing or edible glitter to make your cookies pop! The possibilities are endless!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your Thanksgiving cutout cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you have leftovers (which I hope you do!), you can also freeze them! Just place the cookies in a single layer between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. To enjoy them again, simply thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours. No need to reheat—these cookies are delightful at any temperature!
Nutritional Information for Thanksgiving Cutout Cookies
These Thanksgiving cutout cookies are not just a treat for the eyes; they’re a delicious indulgence too! Each cookie has approximately 150 calories, with 7g of fat and 10g of sugar. You’ll also find around 1g of protein and 20g of carbohydrates per cookie. Keep in mind that these values are estimates, but they should give you a good idea of what you’re enjoying. So go ahead, savor each festive bite!
FAQ about Thanksgiving Cutout Cookies
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can! Just keep in mind that whole wheat flour can make the cookies a bit denser, so if you want them to be light and fluffy, mix it with some all-purpose flour.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough is key! Make sure to chill it for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. Also, ensure your butter is softened, not melted, to help maintain their shape.
Can I decorate these cookies in advance?
Absolutely! You can bake and decorate your Thanksgiving cutout cookies a day or two ahead of time. Just store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
What’s the best way to store leftover cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for a few months!
Can I use different extracts for flavor?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with different extracts like lemon or peppermint to give your cookies a unique twist. Just remember to adjust the amount to your preference!
Thanksgiving Cutout Cookies: 5 Steps to Delicious Joy
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Thanksgiving cutout cookies shaped like turkeys and pumpkins.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Royal icing for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light.
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract to the butter mixture.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool and decorate with royal icing.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different cookie cutters for variety.
- Royal icing can be colored for decoration.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: thanksgiving cutout cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies
