Holiday Stars
Festive holiday star cookies with a buttery, lemon-flavored dough, topped with jam and dusted with powdered sugar, perfect for seasonal gatherings and cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream the vegetable shortening and sugar together.
- Beat in eggs, grated lemon rind, and milk until well combined.
- Stir in all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until the dough is smooth.
- Chill the dough for 1 hour.
- Roll out on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut into 144 star-shaped cookies or holiday patterns.
- Cut 1-inch holes in the center of half the cookies.
- Bake on a cookie sheet in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 7 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Cool the cookies; spread jam or jelly on the solid cookies.
- Top each jam-covered cookie with a cookie with a hole in the center.
- Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider using half butter and half vegetable shortening. You can also substitute the lemon rind with orange or almond extract for a different flavor profile. If you prefer a more festive touch, add colored sprinkles on top before serving. Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and shaping, so don't skip that step!
Serving Suggestions
These Holiday Stars are perfect for festive gatherings and can be served alongside a cup of tea or coffee. For an elegant display, arrange them on a decorative platter and dust with additional confectioners' sugar. They also pair beautifully with Larry'S Chocolate Chip Cookies(3 Dozen) for a delightful cookie assortment.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, they can be frozen for up to three months. To reheat, simply warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to restore their freshness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday Stars contains roughly 206 calories, with 1g protein, 47g carbohydrates, and 2g 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 make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. When you're ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before rolling it out.
What can I use instead of vegetable shortening?
You can substitute vegetable shortening with an equal amount of unsalted butter or coconut oil. Each will impart a slightly different flavor and texture, so choose based on your preference. Keep in mind that butter will make the cookies richer, while coconut oil will add a hint of tropical flavor.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading while baking?
To prevent spreading, ensure your dough is well-chilled before rolling out. Additionally, use parchment paper on your baking sheet and avoid using too much flour when rolling out the dough. If your cookies still spread, consider chilling the cut cookies for an additional 15 minutes before baking.
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).