# What You'll Need:
→ Cookies
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
→ Royal Icing
09 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder mixed with 6 tablespoons water
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Gel food coloring: red, green, brown, yellow, black, white
→ Decoration & Assembly
13 - Edible gold or silver sprinkles
14 - Mini pretzels (optional for sleigh runners)
15 - Mini candy canes (optional)
16 - Assorted festive sprinkles
17 - Edible glue or a small amount of royal icing for assembly
# How to make it:
01 - Set oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
03 - Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract, mixing until incorporated.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms. Divide dough into two equal portions, shape into disks, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
05 - On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters shaped like sleighs, reindeer, Santa, stars, and trees to cut shapes, then transfer to prepared baking sheets.
06 - Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until edges begin to turn golden. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat powdered sugar and egg whites (or meringue powder mixture) on low speed until thick and glossy, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract, then divide and tint icing using gel food colors as desired.
08 - Pipe royal icing onto cooled cookies to create detailed designs. Adorn with sprinkles and edible decorations. Allow icing to dry thoroughly, at least 2 hours.
09 - Arrange sleigh-shaped cookies at center of serving platter. Position reindeer cookies in front, attaching with royal icing or edible glue. Fill sleigh with star and tree cookies or mini candies. Attach mini pretzels or candy canes as sleigh runners if desired.
