Festive Ornament Cookies

Ingredients

Shortbread Cookies

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Burgundy Dipping Icing

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 tablespoon corn syrup

• Tiny bit of red food dye

• Small pinch of cocoa powder (to deepen the color)

White Piping Icing

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 tablespoon corn syrup

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cookies

Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt gradually, mixing until a soft dough forms. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up for rolling.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

2. Burgundy Dipping Icing

In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup until smooth. Add red food dye until you reach your preferred shade, then whisk in a tiny pinch of cocoa powder to transform the color into a rich burgundy.

Adjust consistency as needed: add a splash of milk to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken.

Dip each cooled cookie into the icing or pipe them by outlining and flooding for a more detailed look. I just dipped mine! Place cookies on parchment and allow them to dry overnight so the surface sets completely.

3. White Piping Icing

Just before decorating, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup until smooth. The corn syrup helps the icing dry with a soft sheen and prevents cracking. The icing should be a toothpaste consistency to make detailed piping simple!

Transfer the icing to a piping bag fitted with a fine tip and pipe designs over the dried burgundy surface. Allow cookies to set before serving or packaging.