Ugly Sweater Vanilla Christmas Cookies

These Ugly Sweater Vanilla Christmas Cookies are a sweet take on the now trendy ugly sweater. Decorated with food colour and stencils, they are a quick and easy gift idea and pair well with a glass of milk for a santa snack.

Tis' the season, friends! Any of these sweaters look familiar? I am pretty certain I have one of each in my closet. KIDDING!! Although... I could probably rock the champagne polka dots with leggings and knee-high boots. Or not!

Actually, I can't remember ever owning an ugly sweater. Don't get me wrong, I've received my share of the type of gifts that had me questioning whether the gift-giver had really ever met me. And, if they had, what signs could I have given to make them think that a skin-tight, laced up leather romper was on my wish list. HUH???

I'll admit that I've worn some pretty daring outfits, mostly concocted by yours truly, but I don't think I've ever tried to pull off a lady-of-the-night look...except for that one halloween when I was twenty-one and dressed the part so well it almost got me arrested. I. KID. YOU. NOT! But I digress...

Gifting? I don't take any chances. I just ask. It saves time, money and those awkward 'you shouldn't have' moments that we have all endured. For those die-hard christmas folks who just slammed me for removing the element of surprise, not so quickly. I usually ask for a list, so they are never certain what they will receive. Element of surprise restored. We good?? OK!

Soooo...the only ugly sweaters you should be gifting anyone are the kind woven together with flour, sugar, egg and loads of flavourful vanilla. Agreed?

Making these Ugly Sweater Vanilla Christmas Cookies is a fun way to spend Christmas Eve with family and friends.  If you are time management challenged, like I seem to be these days, you can cheat with this Ugly Sweater Cookie Kit. Or, you can bake up a batch and decorate the night away! In which case, this ugly sweater cookie cutter will come in handy. I diluted some food colour in alcohol and used stencils  and paint brushes to decorate these sweaters in true ugly sweater fashion.

Wishing you all a safe a happy holiday! I'll return next week with some treats and libations to usher in the new year!

Christmas Cookies Past:

Chocolate Amaretti (Crinkle Cookies)

Drunken Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies

Raspberry Coconut Meringues

Lemon Nutmeg Piped Cookies

Ugly Sweater Vanilla Christmas Cookies

A delicious, vanilla bean filled take on the ugly sweater decorated with food colour and stencils.

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 -18

Author: I Sugar Coat It

Ingredients

• 226 grams unsalted butter at room temperature1 1 cup
• 35 grams granulated white sugar ⅔ cup
• 1 large egg
• 3 grams lemon zest 1 teaspoon
• Scrapings of 1 vanilla bean
• 295 grams unbleached 2 ¼ cups, all purpose flour
• 1.25 grams salt ¼ teaspoon

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place oven rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat.
• In the bowl of your electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the the egg, lemon zest, and vanilla beans.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and salt.
• Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and beat just until incorporated.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a flattened circle. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm (at least two hours or overnight).
• Remove from fridge and use a rolling pin to roll dough out to about ¼ inch thick - I use dough spacers like these to get even cookies.
• Cut into desired shapes and place on the baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Place in freezer for about 3-5 minutes.
• Remove from freezer and bake the cookies for about 10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are a very light brown.
• Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Decorate as desired.

Tried this recipe?Mention @isugarcoatit or tag #isugarcoatit !