Get ready to impress your friends and family with my Christmas Sugar Cookie Shots! These festive and fun treats combine the joy of holiday cookies with a unique twist. Imagine delicious, soft cookies shaped into cute shot glasses, filled with creamy goodness. In this post, I’ll share easy steps, tasty ingredients, and fun decoration ideas. Let’s dive into making this delightful holiday treat that everyone will love!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Festive Flavor: These sugar cookie shots combine classic holiday flavors like vanilla and almond, making them a delightful treat for any festive gathering.
- Fun Presentation: The cookie shot glasses are not only delicious but also visually appealing, perfect for impressing guests at parties.
- Customizable Filling: You can fill these cookie shots with milk, cream, or even your favorite liqueur, allowing for endless variations.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, these cookie shots are accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
Ingredients
List of Ingredients
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon almond extract
– 1 cup royal icing (store-bought or homemade)
– Sprinkles for decoration
– Milk or cream for filling
Key Ingredient Information
Each ingredient plays a big role in the flavor and texture of your cookie shots. The all-purpose flour gives structure. Baking soda and baking powder help them rise and stay fluffy. Salt enhances the sweetness and balances flavors. Unsalted butter adds creaminess and richness. Granulated sugar sweetens and helps the cookies spread. The egg binds everything together. Vanilla and almond extracts add nice, warm flavors. Royal icing not only decorates but also helps hold the sprinkles. Finally, milk or cream makes your cookie shot fun and tasty!
Suggested Substitutions
If you can’t find a few ingredients, don’t worry! Here are some easy swaps:
– Use whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste.
– Coconut oil can replace unsalted butter.
– Brown sugar gives a richer flavor than granulated sugar.
– Use any milk alternative like almond milk or oat milk for filling.
– You can try other extracts like lemon or orange for a twist!
These changes can make your cookie shots unique while still being delicious.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation of Dough
First, gather your ingredients. You need flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, butter, sugar, egg, and extracts. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this mix aside. Next, in a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together. Use an electric mixer for about three to four minutes. Aim for a light and fluffy texture. Then, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until all is well combined. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as it can make the cookies tough. Once mixed, divide the dough into two discs. Wrap them in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least one hour.
Baking Process
After your dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface. Aim for about 1/4 inch thick. Use a shot glass or cookie cutter to cut out rounds. Place these rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges. Once baked, remove the cookies and let them cool on a wire rack. After they cool, take a smaller shot glass and press it into the center of each cookie round. This creates the shot-glass shape.
Decoration and Assembly
Now comes the fun part—decorating! Use royal icing to fill the shot glasses. This creates a festive rim. While the icing is still wet, dip the edges into colorful sprinkles. This adds a joyful touch. Once decorated, fill each cookie shot with milk or cream just before serving. Enjoy them right away for the best texture! These cookie shots are perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Tips & Tricks
Keeping Your Cookies Soft
To keep your cookies soft, use room-temperature butter. This helps create a light and fluffy mix. Don’t overbake them; look for edges that are just golden. Take them out of the oven and let them cool on the rack. This keeps them soft and tasty.
How to Get Perfect Cookie Shapes
For perfect shapes, roll your dough to a consistent thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use a shot glass or cookie cutter to cut out rounds. Make sure to press down firmly to create clean edges. Chill the dough before cutting to help it hold its shape.
Enhancing Visual Appeal
To make your cookie shots stand out, use colorful sprinkles. After adding royal icing, dip the edges in sprinkles while the icing is wet. This adds a festive touch. You can also use different shapes and sizes of cookie cutters for variety. Consider using themed sprinkles for extra fun!
Pro Tips
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is essential to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. Aim for at least one hour in the refrigerator.
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cookies and to prevent sticking.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to customize the flavor of your cookies by adding different extracts or spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, for a unique twist.
- Serve Fresh: For the best experience, fill the cookie shots with milk or cream just before serving to maintain their texture and prevent sogginess.
Variations
Flavor Variations for Dough
You can change the flavor of your cookie dough easily. Try adding citrus zest like lemon or orange for a fresh twist. You can also swap almond extract for peppermint extract. This will give your cookies a fun holiday vibe. Another idea is to mix in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth. Each change brings a new taste to your cookie shots.
Different Fillings for Shots
The filling is where you can get creative! Milk is a classic choice, but you can try flavored creamers, like hazelnut or vanilla. For a treat, fill them with rich chocolate milk or even eggnog. You can also add whipped cream for extra fun. For a fruity option, consider using a yogurt-based filling. Each filling adds a different layer to your cookie shots.
Seasonal Decorations
Decorations can make your cookie shots pop! Use colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes on the icing. For a winter look, try using coconut flakes to mimic snow. You can also use themed cookie cutters to shape your cookies. Seasonal colors like red, green, and gold make them festive. Let your kids help decorate for extra joy and creativity!
Storage Info
How to Store Cookie Shots
To keep your Christmas sugar cookie shots fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps keep them soft and tasty. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers if you stack them. This keeps the icing safe and prevents sticking.
Freezing Instructions
You can freeze the cookie shots if you want to save them for later. First, make sure they are completely cool. Wrap each shot in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you are ready to enjoy them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
Best Practices for Freshness
For the best taste, eat your cookie shots within a few days. Keep them in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can make them stale. If you know you won’t finish them quickly, freezing is your best bet. Always fill them just before serving to keep the cookies from getting soggy.
FAQs
Can I make these cookie shots in advance?
Yes, you can make these cookie shots ahead of time. You can bake the cookies and prepare the icing a day before your event. Just store the baked cookies in an airtight container. Keep the icing in the fridge. This helps the cookies stay fresh.
What can I use instead of royal icing?
If you want an alternative to royal icing, you can use buttercream. It’s soft and sweet, and it works well for decoration. You can also use melted chocolate to fill and decorate the cookie shots. Both options taste great.
How long do Christmas Sugar Cookie Shots last?
These cookie shots last about 2-3 days at room temperature. If you store them in the fridge, they can last up to a week. Just make sure to keep the filling separate until you are ready to serve. This keeps the cookies from getting soggy.
Can I freeze these cookie shots?
Yes, you can freeze the cookie shells. Bake them and let them cool completely. Place them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to a month. When you are ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge. Then fill them with your favorite drink.
How do I make the cookie shots more festive?
You can make these cookie shots more festive by using colored sprinkles or edible glitter. Add fun toppings like crushed candy canes or mini marshmallows. This makes each shot look bright and cheerful for the holidays.
Can I use different flavors for the cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can change the flavor of the cookie dough. Try adding cocoa powder for chocolate cookies or use different extracts like lemon or peppermint. This gives you many tasty options for your cookie shots.
How can I make the filling more fun?
For the filling, try using flavored milk, like chocolate or strawberry. You can also use flavored creamers for a twist. This adds a fun surprise with each sip from your cookie shot.
You learned about making delicious cookie shots in this post. We covered the key ingredients and their substitutes. Then, I shared step-by-step instructions for perfect baking and decoration. I gave tips for keeping cookies soft and achieving great shapes. We explored fun variations and how to store your treats.
Now, you can impress friends with your cookie shots. Enjoy creating and sharing these tasty delight
