# What You'll Need:
→ Cookies
01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ¾ teaspoon baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
04 - ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
→ Royal Icing
09 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder mixed with 6 tablespoons water
11 - ½ 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 a small amount of royal icing for assembly
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking to blend evenly.
03 - Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix until integrated.
04 - Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring only until dough forms. Divide the dough into two disks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
05 - On a lightly floured surface, roll each disk to ¼-inch thickness. Cut shapes using sleigh, reindeer, Santa, star, and tree cookie cutters. Carefully transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are just turning golden. Let cookies cool on sheets 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. Stir in vanilla, then divide and tint with desired gel food colors.
08 - Pipe colored royal icing onto cooled cookies, adding sprinkles and edible decorations to create detailed designs on sleigh, reindeer, Santa, and other shapes. Allow icing to dry thoroughly, at least 2 hours.
09 - Arrange sleigh-shaped cookies centrally on a serving platter. Position reindeer in front, connecting pieces using royal icing or edible glue. Fill the sleigh with tree and star cookies or small candies. Attach mini pretzels or candy canes to represent sleigh runners using icing as needed.
