Mitten cookies are a delightful and festive treat perfect for the holiday season or any winter celebration. These charming cookies are shaped like cozy mittens, decorated with icing, and often personalized with intricate designs. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a fun baking activity, or simply want to enjoy a sweet, winter-inspired snack, mitten cookies are an excellent choice.
Ingredients
- Cookie Dough:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Royal Icing (for decoration):
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 4–5 tablespoons water
- Gel food coloring (assorted colors for decoration)
- Optional Add-ons:
- Sprinkles, edible glitter, or small candies for extra decoration
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into two portions and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
- Cut Out the Mittens:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use a mitten-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Royal Icing:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add water gradually, one tablespoon at a time, until the icing reaches your desired consistency.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
- Decorate the Cookies:
- Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to outline and fill the mitten cookies with icing. Add decorative patterns, sprinkles, or edible glitter while the icing is still wet.
- Allow the icing to set completely before storing or serving.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving: Serve mitten cookies as part of a festive dessert table, pack them in holiday gift boxes, or pair them with a warm drink like hot cocoa or coffee.
- Storage: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Undecorated cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw and decorate as needed.
FAQs
1. Can I use premade cookie dough instead of making my own?
Yes, you can use store-bought sugar cookie dough to save time. Just ensure the dough is firm enough to hold its shape when rolled and cut.
2. How can I achieve clean edges on my mitten cookies?
Chill the dough before cutting out shapes and avoid overworking it to prevent spreading during baking.
3. What if I don’t have a mitten-shaped cookie cutter?
You can create a mitten template from parchment paper, place it on the dough, and cut around it with a knife.
4. How long does it take for the royal icing to set?
Royal icing typically sets within 6–8 hours at room temperature. To speed up the process, place the cookies in front of a fan.
Enjoy making these whimsical mitten cookies, and let your creativity shine as you decorate them!
PrintMitten Cookies
These mitten-shaped sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for holiday decorating. Adorned with colorful icing and sprinkles, they make a cheerful addition to your festive celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
For the Royal Icing:
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6–8 tablespoons water
- Gel food coloring (red, green, blue, etc.)
- Sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookies:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use a mitten-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Royal Icing:
- In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar and meringue powder.
- Add water gradually, mixing on low speed until the icing reaches a thick but pourable consistency.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls and add gel food coloring to achieve desired colors.
- Decorate the Cookies:
- Transfer the colored icing into piping bags fitted with small round tips.
- Outline and flood each mitten cookie with the base color icing.
- While the base is still wet, add decorative patterns such as stripes, polka dots, or snowflakes using contrasting colors.
- For added sparkle, sprinkle sanding sugar or sprinkles over the wet icing.
- Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely at room temperature before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure the cookies are completely cool before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
- Royal icing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adjust the consistency of the icing by adding more water (to thin) or powdered sugar (to thicken) as needed.