Danish Christmas Cookies
Delightful Danish Christmas cookies with buttery, nutty flavors, decorated with colorful sugar or icing. Perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges, appealing to all ages.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in lemon extract, almond extract, and vanilla.
- Gradually stir in sifted flour until well combined.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap.
- Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Shape the dough into a 13-inch roll.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut the chilled dough into 1/4-inch thick slices.
- Place slices 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool on racks.
- Decorate with colored sugar or icing before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using unsalted butter and adding a pinch of salt. If you don't have lemon extract, you can substitute it with orange extract for a different twist. Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly; this step is crucial for clean slicing and prevents spreading during baking. If you want a nutty flavor, try adding finely chopped almonds to the dough.
Serving Suggestions
These Danish Christmas Cookies are delightful on their own, but for an extra festive touch, serve them alongside a cup of hot cocoa or tea. They also pair beautifully with Dieter'S Yogurt Brunch, adding a sweet element to a savory meal. Decorate with colored sugar or icing to enhance their holiday charm before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies, layered with parchment paper, in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. To reheat, simply warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes until slightly softened.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Danish Christmas Cookies contains roughly 125 calories, with 0g protein, 2g carbohydrates, and 13g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use margarine as a substitute for butter in this recipe. However, using unsalted butter is recommended for the best flavor. Margarine may yield a slightly different texture, but it will still work well in the cookie dough.
How can I make these cookies more festive?
To make the cookies more festive, consider adding colored sprinkles or icing after baking. You can also incorporate festive flavors like peppermint extract or add chopped dried fruits and nuts to the dough before chilling.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. You can also freeze the unbaked dough for up to 2 months.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).