Snowflake Cookies

Snowflake Cookies - Using stencil ornaments, any decorated cookie can be turned into a work of art. simplysated

Snowflake Cookies

As a child, one of my favorite winter activities was cutting out paper snowflakes. Each flake was beautiful and every design an original. As an adult, I love making decorated cookies, but I sure don’t want the endeavor to take days. Snowflake Cookies are fun to create and, with the use of stencils, designing gorgeous cookies just got a whole lot easier.

Snowflake Cookies - Using stencil ornaments, any decorated cookie can be turned into a work of art. simplysated

When I saw these stenciled Christmas ornaments at Michaels’, I wondered if I could use them as cookie decorating stencils. I had some of my favorite Butter Cookie dough in the freezer and couldn’t wait to get home to see if the stencils would work.

Once the dough thawed, I used a round cookie cutter to cut out the cookies. After the cookies were baked and cooled, I iced them with my favorite cookie icing, let them dry just enough to place the (washed & dried) ornament stencil on top without sticking (too much) then sprinkled colored sugar over the entire cookie. I shook off the excess sugar and stood back to admire my handiwork.  They were gorgeous and exactly as I had imagined.

Snowflake Cookies - Using stencil ornaments, any decorated cookie can be turned into a work of art. simplysated

Snowflake Cookies - Using stencil ornaments, any decorated cookie can be turned into a work of art. simplysated

The great thing about decorating cookies like this is there many foam and wooden stencil ornaments one can find. The Michaels’ ornaments aren’t still available online, but I did find several other options on the Internet including these ETSY  Snowflake Ornaments or Fancy Flours Snowflake Ornaments. Just take a little time to search Laser Cut Snowflake Ornaments online to find some that will work for you.

Snowflake Cookies - Using stencil ornaments, any decorated cookie can be turned into a work of art. simplysated

In 1885, Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. In his lifetime, he photographed more than 5000 snowflakes and never found any two alike.

Snowflake Cookies - Using stencil ornaments, any decorated cookie can be turned into a work of art. simplysated

 “Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind.”

Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley 1925

Snowflake Cookies - Using stencil ornaments, any decorated cookie can be turned into a work of art. simplysated

My Snowflake Cookies might not be actual “miracles of beauty” but they are delicious, beautiful and, drum-roll please, they are – easy!

Enjoy!

Snowflake Cookies - Using stencil ornaments, any decorated cookie can be turned into a work of art. simplysated

A huge thanks to my daughter, Becky, for the beautiful photos she took of my cookies.  Please check out her terrific blog and other gorgeous photos at The Cookie Rookie.

Snowflake Cookies - Using stencil ornaments, any decorated cookie can be turned into a work of art. simplysated
5 from 3 votes
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Snowflake Cookies

Snowflake Cookies are decorated using laser-cut wooden stencils - an easy way to create beautiful designs. ----------------- Original Butter Cookie recipe - Joy of Baking: http://www.joyofbaking.com/ButterCookies.html
Course Cookie, Dessert
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Author Susie Gall

Ingredients

  • 1 c. Butter - unsalted room temperature (226 grams)
  • 2/3 cup sugar 135 grams
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 t. Lemon or Orange Zest optional - and I leave this out
  • 1 t. Vanilla Extract
  • ¼ t. Almond Extract
  • c. Flour 295 grams
  • ¼ t. Salt
  • ¼ t. Coarse Sea Salt
  • -------------------------------------
  • Icing ingredients
  • 4 c. Powdered Sugar - sifted
  • 3 T. Corn Syrup
  • 3 T. water
  • ½ t. Almond Extract - can use Vanilla Extract
  • Food coloring - white food coloring creates a more opaque white glaze opt.
  • ¼ c corn sryup and ¼ c. water mixed together and set aside
  • Sanding sugar or colored coarse sugar

Instructions

  1. To Make the Cookies:
  2. Combine butter and sugar and beat until lighter in color and fluffy. (approx. 3-4 minutes)
  3. Beat in the egg, vanilla and almond until well blended. (this is when the lemon or orange zest is added, if using)
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  5. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture all at one time.
  6. Mix on low speed just until incorporated.
  7. ------------------------------------------------
  8. This is how I prepare the dough for refrigeration:
  9. Lay out a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper and sprinkle a little flour on top.
  10. Divide the dough equally into 2 portions (more if you have doubled the recipe).
  11. Using lightly floured hands, hold 1 portion of dough and gently shape it into a disc.
  12. Place the disk on the floured paper roll gently into a ¼ in. high oval or rectangle.
  13. Lift the paper and place it on a cookie sheet.
  14. Repeat the process until all the dough is used.
  15. Tightly cover the pan of all the layers of dough and refrigerate for at least two hours (or overnight).
  16. ---------------------------------
  17. When ready to bake the cookies:
  18. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  19. When the oven has preheated, take out one sheet of dough at a time and cut into the desired cookie-cutter shapes.
  20. Place the cut-out dough on parchment covered cookie sheets and bake approx. 10-12 minutes or until the edges begin to turn.
  21. Take out of the oven, remove from the baking pan and cool on a cooling rack.
  22. Once completely cooled, the decorating fun can begin.
  23. ________________________________
  24. Powder Sugar Glaze
  25. Sift the powdered sugar into a mixing bowl.
  26. Combine the corn syrup, milk (or water), and flavoring.
  27. Turn the mixer on low until everything is moist - scrape the bowl often.
  28. Turn the mixer to medium and mix until everything is well blended and smooth.
  29. (a little more syrup/water mixture might be needed at this point)
  30. ----------------------------
  31. To Decorate the Cookies:
  32. See my tutorial on decorating sugar cookies: http://www.thecookierookie.com/perfect-decorated-cookies/
  33. Glaze only 2-3 cookies at-a-time before sprinkling with sanding sugar.
  34. After 2-3 cookies have been glazed and the glaze has set just a little but is still moist, center a stenciled ornament on the top - press down very gently and sprinkle with the sanding sugar.
  35. Carefully, lift the stencil ornament straight up and off the cookie.
  36. Lift the cookie and gently shake off the excess sugar.
  37. Voila - beautiful cookies.
  38. Repeat until all cookies are decorated.
  39. Enjoy!

 

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    Comments

    Nicole Neverman
    Your snowflake cookies look amazing! The recipe itself sounds delicious and then these are so perfectly pretty. I will have to try this for Christmas :)
      Susie Gall
      Thanks Nicole - I think you will love how easy these are. Thanks for coming by.
    peter @feedyoursoultoo
    What fun. But do you have to bring out the snow so soon? :)
      Susie Gall
      I know...it is a bit early and I sure am not ready for snow either:-) Thanks for commenting Peter - have a fun day today!!
    Sophia @ NY Foodgasm
    Absolutely STUNNING work! Oh so pretty and very easy! LOVE!

    5 stars

      Susie Gall
      Thanks so, so much, Sophia. Have a great week and try to stay warm!!
    Linda (Meal Planning Maven)
    Your snowflake cookies are absolutely gorgeous! They would make a lovely holiday gift!

    5 stars

    Linda
    What special memories cutting paper snowflakes you shared and now snowflake cookies. They are absolutely beautiful and look so yummy. Such a fun post.
    Rhonda
    Came upon your site and saw these gorgeous cookies!
      Susie Gall
      Thank you for your sweet comment, Rhonda, and thanks for coming by. Please come back soon.
    sue|theviewfromgreatisland
    I love this post even though you beat me to it! I bought those same ornaments with the same idea in mind --- yours came out gorgeously!

    5 stars

      Susie Gall
      Ha-Ha! You know what "they" say about great minds thinking alike - I guess we have great minds. Thanks for coming by, Sue, and thank you for the compliment. Please come back soon.
    Michelle Rittler @ Taste As You Go
    Thanks for allowing me to feature your recipe in my round-up of 60 Ultimate Cookie Exchange Recipes on Taste As You Go. Happy Holidays!
    Creamy Chicken Soup. Tender chicken, aromatic vegetables and herbs, cream, a splash of wine topped with a touch of nutty Gruyere. The ultimate comfort food. Simply Sated

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