# What You'll 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 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
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Set oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes. Incorporate egg, vanilla, and almond extract until well combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms. Divide dough in two, shape into disks, wrap with plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
05 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to shape dough and transfer cookies onto prepared baking sheets.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat powdered sugar with egg whites or meringue powder mixture on low speed until thick and glossy, about 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract, then divide and tint with desired food coloring.
08 - Apply colored royal icing, sprinkles, and other edible decorations onto cooled cookies. Pipe details onto sleighs, reindeer, Santas, and accents. Allow icing to dry fully for at least 2 hours.
09 - Arrange sleigh cookies centrally on a platter, position reindeer in front attaching with icing or edible glue. Fill the sleigh with tree and star cookies or mini candies. Use mini pretzels or candy canes as runners, secured with icing if desired.
