# What you 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 plus 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 (optional)
15 - Mini candy canes (optional)
16 - Assorted festive sprinkles
17 - Edible glue or small amount of royal icing for assembly
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk together.
03 - Beat softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract, mixing until blended.
04 - Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture until dough forms. Divide into two discs, wrap with plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
05 - Roll chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut using sleigh, reindeer, Santa, star, and tree cutters. Arrange shapes on baking sheets.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges begin to lightly brown. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool fully.
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 food coloring.
08 - Use colored royal icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations to adorn cooled cookies. Pipe detailed designs on sleigh, reindeer, Santa, and other accents. Allow icing to dry completely for at least 2 hours.
09 - Arrange sleigh cookies centrally on a platter. Position reindeer in front, attaching with icing or edible glue. Fill sleigh with tree, star cookies, or mini candies. Use mini pretzels or candy canes as sleigh runners, securing with icing if desired.
