# Components:
→ 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 (optional, for sleigh runners)
15 - Mini candy canes (optional)
16 - Assorted festive sprinkles
17 - Edible glue or a small amount of royal icing for assembly
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix until combined.
04 - Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring just until dough forms. Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
05 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use sleigh, reindeer, Santa, star, and tree cutters to shape cookies. Transfer shapes to prepared baking sheets.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges begin to turn golden. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat powdered sugar with egg whites or meringue mixture on low speed until thick and glossy, about 5 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract, then divide and tint with desired food coloring.
08 - Pipe colored royal icing onto cooled cookies, adding details and festive sprinkles. Allow icing to dry completely, at least 2 hours.
09 - Arrange sleigh cookies centrally on a platter. Place reindeer in front, joining with icing or edible glue. Fill sleigh with tree and star cookies or mini candies. Optionally, attach mini pretzels or candy canes as sleigh runners using icing.
