Ah, Thanksgiving! It’s that magical time of year when the air is crisp, leaves are falling, and kitchens are filled with the warm aroma of baking goodies. One of my absolute favorite traditions is whipping up a batch of *thanksgiving buttercream cookies*. These little delights are not just cookies; they’re like little bites of joy that bring everyone together. I remember the first time I made them with my grandma. We’d spend hours decorating these cookies with vibrant frosting and sprinkles, and I always ended up with more icing on my face than on the cookies! It was such a sweet bonding experience, and now I love sharing that same joy with friends and family. Trust me, these cookies are a must-have on your holiday table, and they’ll surely become a cherished tradition in your home, too!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Food coloring (optional, for festive flair)
How to Prepare Thanksgiving Buttercream Cookies
Prepping the Dough
Alright, let’s get that cookie dough ready! Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, I like to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this, but the key is to really get some air in there! Next, add in the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla extract. Mix until everything’s well combined and smooth. In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until everything comes together into a soft dough. Don’t overmix; we want tender cookies, not tough ones!
Baking the Cookies
Now that your dough is ready, it’s time to bake! Roll the dough into small balls, about 1-2 inches in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some space between each ball, as they will spread a little while baking. Pop them in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are slightly golden, but the centers still look a bit soft. Ooh, that smell wafting through your kitchen is just heavenly! Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Buttercream Frosting
While the cookies cool, let’s whip up that delicious buttercream frosting! In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar and milk, starting with just a tablespoon of milk. Mix until it’s smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk until you reach your desired consistency. Want to get festive? Now’s the time to add a few drops of food coloring! Just a hint will do, and you can mix it in until you get the color you love. Trust me, this frosting is going to be the cherry on top of your cookies!
Decorating the Cookies
Now comes the fun part—decorating! Grab those cooled cookies and your buttercream frosting. You can spread a generous amount of frosting on each cookie using a spatula or pipe it on with a piping bag for a more polished look. Don’t forget to sprinkle some festive decorations on top! Seasonal cookie cutters can also come into play here; use them to create fun shapes before frosting. Let your creativity flow, and remember, there’s no such thing as too much frosting or sprinkles during the holidays!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously soft and buttery cookies that melt in your mouth.
- Simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
- Perfect for holiday gatherings, bringing joy to your table.
- Fun to decorate, making them a delightful activity for the whole family.
- Versatile frosting options—get creative with colors and sprinkles!
- These cookies freeze beautifully, so you can make them ahead of time.
- They’re a crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to impress your guests.
- Great for gifting—who wouldn’t love a box of these sweet treats?
- They capture the essence of Thanksgiving, making every bite feel like a warm hug.
Tips for Success
Now that you’re on your way to making these delightful *thanksgiving buttercream cookies*, here are some pro tips to ensure you nail it every time!
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them blend together smoothly for a better texture.
- Chill the dough: If you find your dough is too sticky to handle, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps with shaping and can give you nicer cookies.
- Check your oven: Ovens can vary in temperature. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the cookies while they bake. If your oven runs hot, they might need just a minute or two less!
- Flavor boosters: Want to mix it up? Add a teaspoon of almond extract or a pinch of cinnamon to your dough for a unique twist that screams holiday flavor!
- Frosting consistency: For your frosting, if it’s too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar; too thick? Just a splash more milk should do the trick. Aim for a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Creative decorations: Use different types of sprinkles, edible glitter, or even mini chocolate chips on top of your frosting for added flair. It’s all about making them festive!
- Storage: Keep your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week, but trust me, they won’t last that long!
With these tips, your cookies will turn out perfectly delicious, and you’ll be the star of your Thanksgiving gathering. Happy baking!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once you’ve baked these lovely *thanksgiving buttercream cookies*, you’ll want to keep them fresh for as long as possible. Trust me, they’re too good to let them go to waste!
To store your cookies, simply place them in an airtight container. I like to layer parchment paper between the cookies to prevent them from sticking together, especially if you’ve piled on that delicious frosting. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for about a week, but I doubt they’ll last that long with everyone enjoying them!
If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze the cookies. Just make sure they’re completely cooled, then wrap each cookie tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They can be frozen for up to two months. When you’re ready to indulge, simply take them out and let them thaw at room temperature. No need to reheat—enjoy them as they are, or you can warm them slightly in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds for that fresh-baked feel.
Whether you’re storing them for later or surprising someone with a sweet gift, these cookies will be just as delightful as the day you made them!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for each of these delightful *thanksgiving buttercream cookies*. Keep in mind that these values can vary slightly based on the specific ingredients you use and the size of your cookies. But this should give you a good idea!
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 1g
These cookies are a sweet treat, perfect for celebrating the holiday season. Just remember to enjoy them in moderation while reveling in all the joyous moments they bring!
FAQ Section
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
You can, but I highly recommend using unsalted butter for the best flavor and texture! Margarine can alter the taste and might not yield the same rich, buttery goodness.
What if I don’t have powdered sugar for the frosting?
If you’re in a pinch, you can make your own by blending granulated sugar in a blender or food processor until it’s fine and powdery. Just be sure to sift it before mixing with milk to avoid lumps!
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. You might also want to check that your baking powder is gluten-free just to be safe!
What should I do if my frosting is too runny?
Oh no! If your frosting is too runny, don’t panic. Just add a little more powdered sugar until it thickens to your desired consistency. You want it smooth but spreadable!
How do I store leftover cookies?
Keep those delicious cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them as mentioned earlier!
Can I decorate these cookies in advance?
Yes, you can! Just be sure to store them in a single layer to avoid smudging the frosting. If you plan to stack them, wait until the frosting is completely dry before layering.
How can I make my cookies more festive?
Get creative! Use seasonal cookie cutters, sprinkles, edible glitter, or even drizzle some melted chocolate on top. The key is to have fun and make them colorful!
Can I use different flavors for the frosting?
Definitely! You can mix in different extracts like almond or peppermint to give your frosting a unique twist. Just remember to start with a small amount and adjust to taste!
Thanksgiving Buttercream Cookies: 7 Steps to Sweet Joy
- Całkowity Czas: 32 minutes
- Ustępować: 24 cookies 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Delicious buttercream cookies perfect for Thanksgiving.
Składniki
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Food coloring (optional)
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Roll dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cookies cool completely.
- For frosting, mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
- Decorate cookies with frosting.
Uwagi
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use seasonal cookie cutters for fun shapes.
- Add sprinkles for decoration.
- Czas Przygotowania: 20 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 12 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cookie
- Kalorie: 150
- Cukier: 10g
- Sód: 50mg
- Kwasy: 7g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 4g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 2g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 20g
- Włókno: 0g
- Białko: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Słowa kluczowe: thanksgiving buttercream cookies, holiday cookies, buttercream frosting
