# 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 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 (for sleigh runners, optional)
15 - Mini candy canes (optional)
16 - Assorted festive sprinkles
17 - Edible glue or royal icing (for assembly)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix until combined.
04 - Gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms. Divide dough in half, shape each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
05 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Use sleigh, reindeer, Santa, star, and tree cutters to create shapes. Transfer to prepared baking sheets.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges begin to turn golden. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat powdered sugar with egg whites or meringue powder mixture on low speed until thick and glossy, about 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract, then divide and tint with desired gel colors.
08 - Decorate cooled cookies with colored royal icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Pipe details on sleighs, reindeer, Santa, and accents. Allow icing to dry completely for at least 2 hours.
09 - Arrange sleigh cookies centrally on a platter. Position reindeer in front, connecting with icing or edible glue. Fill sleighs with star and tree cookies or mini candies. Attach mini pretzels or candy canes as sleigh runners using icing if desired.
