To help us count down the days to the 25th and remind us to enjoy every fleeting moment, we turn to all shapes and sizes of advent calendars, from the nostalgic thin rectangular boxes filled with waxy chocolate to more grown-up options that feature everything from jam to jewelry. This year, I’m excited to do things a little differently and bake up a batch of sugar cookies to serve as our countdown. This cookie countdown is as fun to decorate as it is to eat, and makes a delightful gift for the holidays, too.
How to make the cookies:
Sugar cookies and royal icing are both straightforward recipes in and of themselves, but combining them can feel intimidating. To make decorating these cookies super easy and highlight the numbers clearly, each cookie is stamped with a small number cookie cutter before baking. The cookies do not spread or puff much, so the imprint holds and creates a guide for piping and an indentation for the icing to settle.
How to decorate the cookies:
From there, it’s baker’s choice. Outline the cookies, cover with a different color icing, or top with sprinkles and sparkling sugars while the icing is wet. Make each number the same or totally different. You will have more than 25 cookies, so feel free to use a few to practice on, eat some right away without numbers or decorations, or double up on your favorite days.
Storage & make ahead:
If you want to get ahead of your holiday countdown, you can store them in the freezer with layers of parchment in between for up to 1 month until it’s time to celebrate the day. Alternatively, you can make your cookies up to 1 week ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Made these cookies? Rate and review them in the comments below!
