This post is sponsored in conjunction with Christmas Cookies Week. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the Christmas Cookies Week recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Until relatively recently, cutout cookies really intimidated me. Now, they’ve become one of my favorite kitchen projects.

I think my breakthrough was being able to let go of the expectation of perfect. I adore those perfectly-frosted cookies, but that’s just not in my wheelhouse right now. Luckily, these cookies taste just as good and are just as fun without a perfect icing job.

I was so excited when sponsor YumGoogle offered to send cookie cutters – it meant the perfect opportunity to share my go-to recipe.

I love that this icing works when piping or just spread. I piped on the icing for the snow-covered trees, while the kids spread the colored icing for their trees.

Honestly, there was nothing fancy going on here. My icing tips have gone MIA with the move, so my trees were just made with icing in a sandwich bag with the tip cut off. After the green dried a bit, I added the white “snow” and sprinkled with white sanding sugar. I really love the rustic-looking result.

For the kids, I coloring the icing a few different colors and let them go to town. After the icing was spread, they sprinkled as desired. They loved it, and their results were adorable (and delicious!)

Don’t forget about the great giveaways that are part of Christmas Cookie week! There are prizes from all #ChristmasCookiesWeek sponsors, including a pack of cookie cutters from YumGoogle! You can enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

#ChristmasCookiesWeek Tuesday Recipes

• Authentic Italian Pizzelles by House of Nash Eats
• Chocolate Cherry Totos by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Chocolate Dipped Fluffernutter Cookies by Cooking With Carlee
• Christmas Tree Whoopie Pies by The Freshman Cook
• Cranberry Kit-Kat Cookies by Palatable Pastime
• Delicious Cookies by Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
• Gingernuts by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Havreflarn Norwegian Oatmeal Cookies by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Honey Sugar Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Iced Cutout Cookies by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Peppermint Snowball Cookies by Family Around the Table
• Soft Gingerbread Cut Out Cookies by Daily Dish Recipes
• The Best Soft Sugar Cookies by The Saucy Fig
• White Christmas Kiss Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• White Christmas Peppermint Holiday Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice

Iced Cutout Cookies
(adapted slightly from >Semi Sweet Designs)
Makes about 18 3 1/2″ cookies

For the cookies:
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. salt
3 cups flour

For the icing:
2 1/2 Tbsp. meringue powder
1 1/2 tsp. light corn syrup
1/2  tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup water
1 lb. powdered sugar

In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Mix until fluffy.

Add in the egg, salt, and extracts and mix until well combined.

Add in the flour, a little at a time, until well mixed.

Roll out the dough between pieces of baking parchment to 1/4″ thick. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.

Cut out the shapes once the dough is hard to the touch. Place on parchment. If the dough has started to soften, chill for another 30 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes, until the edges just start to brown. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

When the cookies are completely cool, make the icing.

In a mixer, combine the meringue powder, corn syrup, vanilla, and water. Whisk by hand until foamy.

Add the powdered sugar and hand-whisk until incorporated, then beat with the paddle attachment on medium-high for about 5 minutes, until the icing forms peaks. Add food coloring as desired.

Disclaimer: Thank you #ChristmasCookiesWeek sponsors: Adams Extract, Sprinkle Pop, YumGoggle and Silpat for providing the prizes free of charge. The #ChristmasCookiesWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Four (4) winners will be selected at random from entries received. The prize packages will be fulfilled by and sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. #ChristmasCookiesWeek bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household are not eligible to enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #ChristmasCookiesWeek posts or entry.